This paper aims at providing new insights about the etymology of the name of the Hittite serpent Illuyanka. Indeed, this noun has been explained in different ways and has triggered a discussion among scholars: the last theories about it are the ones formulated by Katz (1998) and Oettinger (2010a). This research shows that is seems possible that Hitt. illuyanka- might be analyzed as a compound made of illu(y)- “fish” (cognate to Gr. ἔλλυες/ἐλλός and Eng. eel) and -anka- “serpent” (cognate to Lat. anguis and Gr. ὄφις): as a consequence, the name illuyanka- appears to have the literal meaning of “fish-snake”. The results offered by Katz and Oettinger are enforced with new data, but it will be demonstrated as well that the Hittite word illuyanka- is not etymologically related to the Latin one anguilla.
Illuyankaš, snakes and eels: new suggestions about the name of the Hittite serpent Illuyanka
Virna Fagiolo
2022-01-01
Abstract
This paper aims at providing new insights about the etymology of the name of the Hittite serpent Illuyanka. Indeed, this noun has been explained in different ways and has triggered a discussion among scholars: the last theories about it are the ones formulated by Katz (1998) and Oettinger (2010a). This research shows that is seems possible that Hitt. illuyanka- might be analyzed as a compound made of illu(y)- “fish” (cognate to Gr. ἔλλυες/ἐλλός and Eng. eel) and -anka- “serpent” (cognate to Lat. anguis and Gr. ὄφις): as a consequence, the name illuyanka- appears to have the literal meaning of “fish-snake”. The results offered by Katz and Oettinger are enforced with new data, but it will be demonstrated as well that the Hittite word illuyanka- is not etymologically related to the Latin one anguilla.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
