ΙΑΟ (ΙΑΩ)

Authors : Nezahat Baydur

Pages : 189-196

View : 17 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2004-08-10

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :lao (\\\'Iάω) is the Greek transcription of the Hebraic God JHWH, pronounced Jahweh. We encounter a variety of spellings for lao. Starting from the 9ᵗʰ century B.C., God\\\'s name is Jau in the cuneiform texts. There is a theory that Jau is related to the Indo-Iranian Djau-s (Zeus). Some ancient sources associate lao with Liber Pater (Dionysos) and Helios. Whilst some scholars support this view, others oppose it. Iao is usually given attributes such as \\\"Hypsistos\\\" (Great God), \\\"Panthocrator\\\" (supreme sovereign), \\\"the God of the Gods\\\", as well as \\\"Zeus\\\' Emissary\\\", or \\\"Infinite Light\\\". lao\\\'s name is frequently seen on magic papyruses and magic gems, on amulets against evil spirits and various diseases, on metal leaves, on cursing or love conjuring tablets made of lead, and on silver tablets. It often appears together with other gods\\\' names like Sabaoth or Adonai. On magic papyruses from the late age, and on amulets from the Late Antique Period, we frequently see the combining form άρβαθιαω. lao is often represented on amulets and gems as a giant with a cock\\\'s head, and occasionally with that of a donkey or a lion, with legs shaped like a serpent (or, rarely, with a human\\\'s legs), and the torso of a human. The giant holds a whip in one hand, a shield in the other, and often there is the inscription lao on the shield or in the background. As seen above, lao\\\'s designation is extremely complex and has been subject to much debate. A representation is also seen on a lamp among the findings from a chamber tomb discovered in 2001 in Akyaka, a small town in the borough of Ula, province of Muğla. Unlike the representations encountered before, the figure next to the inscription ΙΑΩ is depicted like the Greek Gods, and there is a tree next to it. There is no attribute in the hands of the nude figure. To our knowledge, it is the only such sample, except for the bearded figure represented seated on a coin found near Gaza, bearing the legend Yhw. We believe that this figure is the Sun God Dionysos, identified with lao by Macrobius. If this hypothesis proves to be correct, lao\\\'s identification with Greek Gods will be confirmed.
Keywords : lao, Yahova, papirüs, gem, muska

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