Slʿ as a coinage term in the South Semitic and Nabataean inscriptions

Abstract

Through the examination of direct epigraphic sources, this paper will trace the South Semitic (Ancient South and North Arabian) and Nabataean inscriptions, whereas other Semitic texts will be studied later in a separate study. The paper studies the historical background of coin usage in the Ancient Near East, mainly in the area of ancient South and North Arabia. In addition to the occurrences of the term, an etymological attempt will also be put forward that explains the origins of the term within the Semitic languages.