Identity and the choice of writing system in the Achaemenid world

Maria Carmela Benvenuto

doi:10.1515/jhsl-2020-0001

Article

Identity and the choice of writing system in the Achaemenid world

Maria Carmela Benvenuto

Published/Copyright: April 12, 2022

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From the journal Journal of Historical Sociolinguistics Volume 8 Issue 1

Abstract

The paper investigates the choice of writing system as the visual representation of identity in a specific multilingual and multi-ethnic context of antiquity, namely, the Achaemenid Empire. In particular, the discussion focuses on the linguistic and socio-cultural environment in Lydia and Hellespontine Phrygia, the western satrapies of the Persian Empire, where various languages and writing systems were available. Through the cases study analyzed here it has been possible to detect the symbolic status of a language – as well as that of its writing system – in the expression of ethnic identity at the local community level. In the case of Lydia, the analysis of the seals inscriptions provides evidence of identity negotiation from individuals of the local elite who were engaging with Persian power. The bullae from Daskyleion reflect a different linguistic practice in the context of power relations. Interestingly, even though the central imperial authority did not take advantage of any specific language use, including Aramaic, as a means to impose power, the presence of seals in Aramaic in the Daskyleion archive seems to suggest that it had status as an international prestige language, imbuing the inscriber of any ethnicity with the might of imperial power.

Keywords: identity; multilingualism; Old Persian; writing system

Corresponding author: Maria Carmela Benvenuto, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy, E-mail: mariacarmela.benvenuto@uniroma1.it

This paper is a result of the project “Tipologie di interferenza grafica nel mondo antico.(TIGMA)/Types of Graphic Interferences in Ancient World (TGAW)”, coordinated by Maria Carmela Benvenuto, and PRIN project the “Ancient languages and writing systems in contact: a touchstone for language change”, coordinated by Paolo Di Giovine.

Funding source: Sapienza Università di Roma

Award Identifier / Grant number: Tipologie di interferenza grafica nel mondo antico

Funding source: Italian Ministry of Education and Research

Award Identifier / Grant number: Ancient languages and writing systems in contact: a touchstone for language change

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions. Sincere thanks go also to Israel Sanz and to Marco Mancini for their stimulating observations on an earlier draft of this work.

Research funding: This work was supported by Sapienza Università di Roma and sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Education and Research.

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Received: 2020-01-30

Accepted: 2021-01-04

Published Online: 2022-04-12

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Keywords for this article

identity; multilingualism; Old Persian; writing system