Les composé nominaux à premier membre prépositionnel en grec ancien. Le cas de ev°

This thesis deals with ancient Greek nominal compounds with a prepositional first member (FM), and in particular the case of the FM ἐν°. I analyse a great amount of words from a morphological and semantical point of view. The pool of words is based on a formal criterion; the goal of the analysis is to outline different processes of compound formation, as well as their evolution. As compared to other compounds, those with a prepositional FM present two special characteristics: first, they are not formed by two lexemes, since prepositions/adverbs are not real lexemes; secondly, their internal structure is not often recognizable. The guide-questions of this research are: does the special nature of prepositional FM compounds change over different diachronic and diaphasic varieties? Moreover, which are the values of the FM ἐν° in the different compound categories? Most of the thesis consists in a thorough analysis of compounds attested in three consecutive synchronic phases: first, in archaic epic poetry, then in classical prose of V-IV century (in particular Plato’s and Aristotle’s works); the third part examines all neo-formations appearing in the long period starting from the age of Theophrastus till the age of Nonnus of Panopolis. A brief fourth part presents compounds attested in Arcadian inscriptions, as well as some anthroponyms. In the conclusions, I point out the changes in the value of the FM ἐν° in the different categories: ἐν° takes on several functions, that, however, share the signs of a progressive loss of meaning.