ALASIŌTAS AND ELEWITAS: TWO DISTINCT EPITHETS OF APOLLO/ RESHEPH IN THE GREEK-PHOENICIAN INSCRIPTIONS OF PHRANGISSA (CYPRUS)

Abstract

This contribution examines the onomastic attributes associated with Apollo/Resheph in the sanctuary of
Phrangissa, as attested by two digraphic and bilingual inscriptions in Cypro-syllabic and Phoenician languages. These
texts mention respectively the epithets ’lhyts/Ἀλασιώτας and ’lyyt/Ἑλεϝίτας, which have often been interpreted as
two graphic variants of a single divine qualifier. A linguistic analysis based specifically on the phono-morphological
correspondences characteristic of Greek-Phoenician inscriptions, however, leads to the rejection of this hypothesis. The
study shows that the two epithets are based on distinct lexical bases, refer to different semantic realities, and follow
specific morphological processes. The inscriptions from Phrangissa thus attest to the coexistence of differentiated indigenous
cult traditions, taken up and adapted by Phoenician dedicants during the Classical period.

Keywords: Phoenicians and Greeks; Cyprus; Bilingual Inscriptions; Cultic Epithets; Apollo/Resheph.