Notes on the Karatepe Storm-god Tarhunza Usanuwami and Baal Krntrys

Abstract

The Karatepe storm god has been defined in Luwian inscriptions as Tarhunza Usanuwami, and in the Phoenician version as Baal Krntrys. The meaning of the Krntrys epithet still maintains its mystery. Location names, names and adjectives with weak probability that have been proposed by some researchers do not provide a convincing explanation. The main gods of the Neo-Hittite provinces and the main features of these gods can be different, and neglecting the Karatepe reliefs and inscriptions and looking for cult characteristics outside the region can cause wrong interpretations. There is no study in which the Usanuwami and Krntrys epithet of the storm god has been investigated in all its features. In this study, suggestions having a high probability for the word Krntrys are presented in line with the iconographic features of the Karatepe storm god. These suggestions are the combination of the words for granary (Luwian karuna, Phoenician 'qrnt) and wine and vineyard/wine warehouse (Luwian tuwarsa-tuwarisa, Phoenician trs, plural trys).