Two Alanian compositions of the 9th-10th centuries with the anthropomorphic personages from Ingushetia
https://doi.org/10.28995/2073-6401-2024-1-106-127
Abstract
Two subjects are considered in a series of anthropomorphic images of “mythological type” from the catacombs destroyed by robbers from 2011 to 2019 on the Chemulga River. The set of anthropomorphic characters here is unique for the territory of the Khazar Khaganate. In general, compositions with male characters were concentrated in sets of men’s belts of the 9th–10th cc. The costume and details of the iconography of images connect them with Sasanian Iran and Pre-Islamic Sogdia. The Alans’ choice of characters was explained by parallels with local mythology and epic, including foreign cultural compositions (the flight of Alexander the Great). Thatscene, as well as the image of an old man playing a lute and an eagle carrying off a man, may be related to the stories about the elder of Narts – Uryzmag in the Nart Epic of the Ossetians. A young man with lasso under a tree and a hare horseman hunter have parallels in important plots (the origin of the Alans-Narts and the ancient Sword God from marriages with the daughters of the Sea God). A winged and seated praying characters are, probably, zædtæ – spirits, patrons of groups of people etc. in the old Alanian religion. The plots were corresponded to the worldview of the Alanian warriors.
About the Author
S. A. Yatsenko
Russian State University for the Humanities
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Sergey A. Yatsenko, Dr. of Sci. (History), professor
bld. 6, Miusskaya Sq., Moscow, Russia, 125047
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Review
For citations:
Yatsenko S.A. Two Alanian compositions of the 9th-10th centuries with the anthropomorphic personages from Ingushetia. RSUH/RGGU BULLETIN. Series Philosophy. Social Studies. Art Studies. 2024;(1):106-127. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2073-6401-2024-1-106-127
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