In the annals of history, the discovery of multilingual inscriptions has often been the key to unlocking the mysteries of extinct cultures and languages. One such monumental find is the Letoon Trilingual Stele, an ancient stone tablet inscribed with texts in Greek, Lycian, and Aramaic. This impressive artifact sheds light on the sociopolitical dynamics and intercultural exchanges of its time.
Historical Background and Location
Nestled in modern-day Turkey's Lycia region, Letoon was a significant religious sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Leto and her twins, Apollo and Artemis. The sanctuary's ruins bear witness to the rich history of Anatolia, with its evolving pantheon and varying rulers. The Letoon Trilingual Stele was unearthed within this sanctuary, pointing to the site's importance as a hub of religious and perhaps political activity.
The Letoon trilingual, or Xanthos trilingual, is an inscription in three languages: standard Lycian, or Lycian A; Greek; and Aramaic, covering the faces of a four-sided stone stele called the Letoon Trilingual Stele, discovered in 1973 during the archeological exploration of the Letoon temple complex (devoted to the goddess Leto). It was created when Lycia was under the sway of the Persian Achaemenid Empire.
Although the use of the term "Letoon" with regard to the inscription and the stele is unequivocal, there is no standard name for either. Xanthos trilingual is sometimes used, which is to be distinguished from Xanthos trilingual, meaning the Xanthos stele. However, sometimes the Xanthos stele is used for the Letoon trilingual stele as well as for the tomb at Xanthos. Moreover, the term Xanthos trilingual (Lycian A, Lycian B, and Greek) is sometimes used of the tomb at Xanthos. In the latter two cases, only the context can provide clues as to which stele is meant. The Aramaic inscription is known as KAI 319.
Given its location in a religious sanctuary, the stele might also shed light on syncretic religious practices or shared religious narratives across Greek, Lycian, and Aramaic-speaking communities.
The Inscriptions: A Linguistic Tapestry
1. Greek: The language of Homer and Plato, Greek, was widely spoken and understood across the Mediterranean. The Greek inscription on the stele reaffirms the extensive Hellenistic influence across Anatolia, particularly in major religious centers like Letoon.
2. Lycian: As with the Xanthian Obelisk, the presence of the Lycian language, indigenous to the Lycia region, underscores the cultural identity of the local populace. Lycian inscriptions often provide crucial clues to the socio-religious practices and governance of ancient Lycia.
3. Aramaic: The real surprise on the stele is Aramaic, a Semitic language primarily associated with ancient Mesopotamia and the Levant. Its presence on the stele highlights the far-reaching trade, diplomatic, and perhaps migratory patterns, emphasizing Anatolia's role as a crossroads of cultures.
Implications of the Trilingual Inscription
The stele serves multiple purposes.
Linguistic Decoding: Similar to the Rosetta Stone's role in decoding Egyptian hieroglyphics, multilingual inscriptions provide a means to decipher and cross-reference languages. In this case, the Lycian text, juxtaposed with its Greek and Aramaic counterparts, offers deeper insights into its structure and vocabulary.
Historical Insights: The confluence of three languages on a single stele hints at a period of cultural mingling. This could have been due to trade, shared governance, diplomatic alliances, or a mix of these factors.
Religious Significance: Given its location in a religious sanctuary, the stele might also shed light on syncretic religious practices or shared religious narratives across Greek, Lycian, and Aramaic-speaking communities.
The inscription is a public record of a decree authorizing the establishment of a cult, with references to the deities and provisions for officers in the new cult. The Lycian requires 41 lines; the Greek, 35; and the Aramaic, 27. They are not word-for-word translations, but each contains some information not present in the others. The Aramaic is somewhat condensed.
Summary of the text
Lines 1-5 of the Lycian text date the inscription to the government of Pixodaros.
Lines 5-8: the Xanthians introduce a cult for two gods, "the Kaunian Ruler and King Arkesimas".
Lines 9-11: a certain Simias is made priest, his priestship will be hereditary.
Lines 12-20: definition of the territory owned by the temple, and of the salary to be awarded to the priest.
Lines 20-24: on behalf of the temple a new tax is instituted, to be levied when a slave is liberated.
Lines 24-30: the revenues thereof shall be spent on sacrifices at regular times.
Lines 30-36: the citizens of Xanthos and the territory of Xanthos vow to execute faithfully those regulations.
Sample of the Lycian text
Below is a transliteration of a sample of lines with an English translation:
1-2. When Pixodarus, the son of Hecatomnus, became satrap of Lycia, (1) Ẽke: trm̃misñ: xssaθrapazate: pigesere: (2) katamlah: tideimi:
2-5. he appointed as rulers of Lycia Hieron (ijeru) and Apollodotos (natrbbejẽmi), and as governor (asaxlazu) of Xanthus, Artemelis (erttimeli). sẽñneñte- (3) pddẽhadẽ: trm̃mile: pddẽnehm̃mis: (4) ijeru: senatrbbejẽmi: se(j)arñna: (5) asaxlazu: erttimeli:
5-6. The citizens (arus) and the Xanthian neighboring residents decided mehñtitubedẽ: (6) arus: se(j)epewẽtlm̃mẽi: arñnãi:
7-8. to establish an altar to the Kaunian Ruler and the King Arkesimas (7) m̃maitẽ: kumezijẽ: θθẽ: xñtawati: (8) xbidẽñni: se(j)arKKazuma: xñtawati:
9-10. and they chose as priest Simias, the son of Kondorasis (9) sẽñnaitẽ: kumazu: mahãna: ebette: (10) eseimiju: qñturahahñ: tideimi:
11. and whoever is closest to Simias (11) sede: eseimijaje: xuwatiti:
12. and they granted him exemption (arawã) from taxes. (12) seipijẽtẽ: arawã: ehbijẽ: esiti:
The Letoon Trilingual Stele is more than just a piece of inscribed stone; it's a silent orator of a bygone era, speaking of a time when cultures converged, languages intermingled, and histories intertwined. As with all such artifacts, it prompts us to reflect on the ever-evolving story of human civilization and the ties that bind us across time and space.
