La tésera celtibérica de Sasamón (K.14.1)

Abstract

In this paper the Celtiberian tessera K.14.1 from Sasamon is analyzed. The inscription is a twofold hospitium document between IroreKiios, qualificated of monituuKoos, and Nemaios. Likely monituuKoos, which we find as a derivation basis of the epitheton of the Matres Monitucinae, is an ethnic adjective; nevertheless it could also be explained as an appelative containing *moni- ‘legal protection’ and *tuk(o)- ‘descendance, sons’. On the other side of the inscription the word aleTuures should be a nominative plural, agreeing both IroreKiios and Nemaios; but there are so many formal problems concerning such a stem *aleTur-, that we must seek for another solution. AleTuures could also be a nominative singular, agreeing with Nemaios; but its identification as an ethnic designation (*alleto-rēgs = allot-rīg-es?) would be very problematic. Finally, it could be a personal name (allthough without parallels in the hispanoceltic onomastics), and then the pact would have two participants, the surprisingly unidentified individual aleTuures on one side, and on the other IroreKiios the *Monitucean and Nemaios, whose mutual relation would thereupon be misterious. Etymologies for the toponyms Munébrega and Monesma (both from *mono- ‘mountain’), ethnic names as autrigones, allotriges or Celtiberian words as sToTeroi are here propossed or discussed.