Cippus perusinus: Encyclopedia II - Cippus perusinus - Discussion of its translation

Cippus perusinus - Discussion of its translation

As with most Etruscan inscriptions, translations have not been very trustworthy because of a lack of thorough organization on the part of the translators. One author says this ^{[citation needed]}, another that ^{[citation needed]}, and before long, the reader is hopelessly confused. Beyond the myths, attentive analysis and crossreferencing will help us sift through the mess to get at the heart of the Etruscan language. Currently, much work has been done ^{[citation needed]} to piece together Etruscan and these discoveries have helped to shatter previous assumptions about things. Such is the case with this cippus text.

Due to keywords, known from other texts, being used here such as <mena> "lays down" and <muni> "burial plot", it seems unlikely the common idea of a legal document is sensible. As we take time to study the other Etruscan inscriptions, this myth becomes shattered. This is likely a dedication to a deceased person and the phrase <Afunaš penθna ama> 'the Afuna are below' suggeststhat this cippus is nothing more than a tombstone, not a legal contract. (Note that <penθna> 'below' is connected to the particle <pen> meaning "below" as well as <cepen> meaning "here below". These words were used very often and <-na> is an adjectival ending.)

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Discussion of its translation", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki