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MQ-HK 11 CSAI I, 38
Arbach et al. 2001: 97, fig.43
INSCRIPTION INFORMATION
| Language | Ancient South Arabian » Qatabanic » Central Qatabanic | ||
| Script | Ancient South Arabian | ||
| Script typology | Monumental writing | ||
| Text direction | Right-to-left | ||
| Text appearance | Recessed | ||
| Execution technique | Incision | ||
| Measure of letters | 5 | ||
| Chronology |
| ||
| Textual typology | Construction text | ||
| Royal inscription | Yes |
TEXT
1 Ydʿʾb Ġyl[n] bn Frʿkrb mkrb [Qt]bn w-kl wld-ʿm bkr ʾnby w-Ḥwkm ḏ-ʾmr w-S²mr
2 qẓr qyn rs²w ʿmm((ʿmm)) ṯntm s²ʿb mn(ḥ)lm bʿl ẓrbt ltk b-ḏbḥtm w-b-ʿm ʾḍfrm b-b—
3 yt Qny Hwr(n)( s³)ḥr ʿm Ryʿn (b)-byt ʾl-S³ḥrm w-rby ʿm Ryʿn b-Krwm rby ʿm ḏ-Lbḫ ʿs¹—
4 y ẓrb bny w-(s¹ḥ)dṯ byt-s¹ Yfʿn w-m(s³)wd-hw Krm w-ṣrḥt-s¹ww w-gnʾ-s¹(ww b)n s²rs¹m ʿd f—
5 rʿm b-mqdm w-ʾmr w-mqmhw ʿṯtr S²rqn w-ʿṯtr Mlkn bʿl Bnʾ w-(ʿm) ḏ-(D)wnm w-ʾnby
6 S²ymn w-Ḥrmn w-ʾlh-s¹ww w-ḏt Ṣntm w-ḏt Ẓhrn (w)-(ḏt) Rḥbn
TRANSLATIONS
| English | |
1 Ydʿʾb Ġyln son of Frʿkrb mukarrib of Qatabān and of all the children of ʿm, first born of ʾnby and Ḥwkm, the one of ʾmr and S²mr 2 Collector, qyn, Priest of ʿmm (or, great Priest) for the second time, Collector of properties, lord of land properties, in charge of sacrifices and of animals (for sacrifice) in the tem- 3 ple of Qny Hwrn, Wizard of ʿm Ryʿn in the temple of ʾl S³ḥrm and Priest of ʿm Ryʿn in Krwm, Priest of ʿm ḏ-Lbḫ ma- 4 de, gained legal possession, built and restored his house Yfʿm and its hall and its upper rooms and its walls from foundation to 5 top by command and order and under the authorities of ʿṯtr S²rqn and ʿṯtr Mlkn Master of Bnʾ and ʿm ḏ-Dwnm and ʾnby 6 S²ymn and Ḥrmn and his gods and ḏt Ṣntm and ḏt Ẓhrn and ḏt Rḥbn. |
OBJECT INFORMATION
| Support type | Stone piece |
| Material | Stone |
| Dimensions | h. 44, w. 117 |
| Link to object record |
ORIGIN AND PROVENANCE
| Modern site | Hajar Kuḥlān |
| Ancient site | Tmnʿ |
| Geographical area | Wādī Bayḥān |
| Country | Yemen |
| Found | Reemployed. In modern times |
| Archaeological context | Urban context: Royal palace Yfʿn |
| Link to site record |
CULTURAL NOTES
This king takes the title of mukarrib and commemorates the building of one of his palaces. Normally, the sovereign takes the title of mukarrib when he is the author of works of major importance, city walls, water systems, roads and mountain passes. In this case he is building a palace like a private citizen. The royal title lengthens with the list of additional religious offices held by the king.
This is the most ancient attestation in Qataban of ʿṯtr S²rqn, who was to become the great god of the tribe of the plateau and of Ḥimyar.
It is also noteworthy the expression "and his gods". In two texts from the preceding period (CSAI I, 7=Doe 6, CSAI I, 18=MuB 673) the expression "and their gods" seems to indicate the divinity (of a perhaps lower level) linked to the greatest gods of the Qataban pantheon.
In this text, "and his gods", may indicate divinities linked to one god (the last?) of the list.
It is also noteworthy the expression "and his gods". In two texts from the preceding period (CSAI I, 7=Doe 6, CSAI I, 18=MuB 673) the expression "and their gods" seems to indicate the divinity (of a perhaps lower level) linked to the greatest gods of the Qataban pantheon.
In this text, "and his gods", may indicate divinities linked to one god (the last?) of the list.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
| Arbach et al. 2001: 68-70, fig. 43 | Arbach, Mounir, Avanzini, Alessandra, Bāṭāyiʿ, Aḥmed and Robin, Christian J. 2001. Matériaux pour le corpus des inscriptions qatabānites (II). Raydān, 7: 43-101. |