Letoon trilingual
The so-called Trilingue from Letoon (also Trilingue of Xanthos ) is in Aramaic, Greek and Lycian language ( Lycian A) inscribed stele in Letoheiligtum at Xanthos, the ancient capital of Lycia (Asia Minor), discovered in 1973. She is now at the Museum of Fethiye (Turkey).
The stele is about 135 cm high. Their longitudinal sides ( 57.5 cm) are labeled Lycian and Greek, one of the narrow sides ( 30 cm) in Aramaic. The Greek and Lycian version similar format, but the Aramaic version has rather a short description.
The inscription treated a decree of the Carian satrap Pixodaros ( so Greek; . Lyk Pigesere ). This was the youngest son of the 392/391 Hekatomnos used BC the Persian Great King Artaxerxes II as satrap in Caria ( lyk. Hekatamla ). The dynasty of the Hekatomniden had developed in the late period of the Achaemenid a semi-autonomous position in Caria, but remained connected to the Persian king. The Aramaic version accordingly begins with a date to the month of Sivan (around June / July) in the first year of King Artaxerxes. The first editor based on this Artaxerxes III. and therefore the inscription dated to the year 358 BC At this time, however, was satrap of Caria Mausolus II, and for an interruption of his rule there are no signs. In more recent research, the early dating is therefore largely abandon in favor of a late date. With Artaxerxes would therefore Arses, the youngest son Artaxerxes III. meant that under the throne name Artaxerxes ( IV ) was established as queen. The inscription would therefore be dated to June / July 337 BC.
After an introductory remark on the establishment of " official " Pixodaros by a decision of the people of Xanthos on the establishment of a cult of the Basileus Kaunios and Arkesimas and its maintenance is the main content of the inscription. Finally, violators of the rules adopted are occupied with the curse of the gods mentioned and Leto and the nymphs.
It is unclear how the establishment of the cult with political changes in Asia Minor related. During et al Pierre Briant denies a connection, other researchers believe is also to be understood about Lycia, the introduction of a Carian cult in Lycia in the first year of the reign of the new Persian king in temporal or even causal relationship with the takeover of the Satrapenherrschaft Pixodaros. As part of the rule change in the Achaemenid Empire, it was so to - whether wanted or not - come de facto recognition of the increase in power of Hekatomniden after (formerly known as ) " Great Satrapenaufstand ". Also controversial in this context is the extent to which the introduction of the cult only happened at the initiative of Xanthier whether it was a scheme by mutual agreement, or whether it even a demonstration of power Pixodaros can be seen.
Finally, the Trilingue played an important role as a model for the so-called " Persian Reichsautorisation ", ie the recognition of local standards by instances of the Persian Empire. This thesis has been prepared by the Zurich historian Peter Frei and has undergone an extensive discussion in the field of Old Testament scholarship. Background is a possible parallel for the establishment of the Torah by Ezra as a local law for the Persian province of Yehud.