Sacred Animals and Fantastic Creatures of Urartian Belts – Mythological Reflections of Urartian Civilization.

Yıl 2017, Cilt: 2 Sayı: 3, 127 - 145, 28.12.2017

Saak Tarontsi

Öz

In this
article the fundamental aspects of the Urartian belt’s mythological iconography
are discussed. The main purpose of the article is the detailed investigation of
key figures, spiritual personages, sacred animals, fantastic creatures, as well
as connected with them scenes, motives and decorations of Urartian belts. Those
objects depicted many sacred symbols and images that were parts of religious
beliefs and sacral values of ancient Urartians. Among excellently ornamented
images of Sacred Tree, Winged Sun, holy plants, stars, planets, sacral signs,
scenes of hunt, figures of horse riders, soldiers and priests, the most
significant parts of presented iconography comprised the principally important
key pictures of Sacred Animals and Fantastic Creatures. Their outlines and
compositions with other main iconographic elements created the mythological
content of Urartian belts, thus, making those objects sacred and having a
special meaning and significance. As our investigation suggests, bronze belts were
considered as sacred talismans or “mini-temples” serving the purpose of
carrying Divine Forces and the images of Gods, Genies, Sacred Animals and
Fantastic Creatures in one given amulet-object, that inspired Urartians in
their war or piece activities, and, according to their beliefs, helped them to
achieve the victory and success in all undertakings. 

Anahtar Kelimeler

Urartian, belts, sacred, animals, fantastic, creatures, mythological, reflections

Sacred Animals and Fantastic Creatures of Urartian Belts – Mythological Reflections of Urartian Civilization.

Öz

 

Abstract: In this article the
fundamental aspects of the Urartian belt’s mythological iconography are
discussed. The main purpose of the article is the detailed investigation of key
figures, spiritual personages, sacred animals, fantastic creatures, as well as
connected with them scenes, motives and decorations of Urartian belts. Those
objects depicted many sacred symbols and images that were parts of religious
beliefs and sacral values of ancient Urartians. Among excellently ornamented
images of Sacred Tree, Winged Sun, holy plants, stars, planets, sacral signs,
scenes of hunt, figures of horse riders, soldiers and priests, the most significant
parts of presented iconography comprised the principally important key pictures
of Sacred Animals and Fantastic Creatures. Their outlines and compositions with
other main iconographic elements created the mythological content of Urartian
belts, thus, making those objects sacred and having a special meaning and
significance. As our investigation suggests, bronze belts were considered as
sacred talismans or “mini-temples” serving the purpose of carrying Divine
Forces and the images of Gods, Genies, Sacred Animals and Fantastic Creatures
in one given amulet-object, that inspired Urartians in their war or piece
activities, and, according to their beliefs, helped them to achieve the victory
and success in all undertakings.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Urartian, belts, sacred, animals, fantastic, creatures, mythological, reflections

Sacred Animals and Fantastic Creatures of Urartian Belts – Mythological Reflections of Urartian Civilization

Öz

Abstract: In this
article the fundamental aspects of the Urartian belt’s mythological iconography
are discussed. The main purpose of the article is the detailed investigation of
key figures, spiritual personages, sacred animals, fantastic creatures, as well
as connected with them scenes, motives and decorations of Urartian belts. Those
objects depicted many sacred symbols and images that were parts of religious
beliefs and sacral values of ancient Urartians. Among excellently ornamented
images of Sacred Tree, Winged Sun, holy plants, stars, planets, sacral signs,
scenes of hunt, figures of horse riders, soldiers and priests, the most
significant parts of presented iconography comprised the principally important
key pictures of Sacred Animals and Fantastic Creatures. Their outlines and
compositions with other main iconographic elements created the mythological
content of Urartian belts, thus, making those objects sacred and having a
special meaning and significance. As our investigation suggests, bronze belts were
considered as sacred talismans or “mini-temples” serving the purpose of
carrying Divine Forces and the images of Gods, Genies, Sacred Animals and
Fantastic Creatures in one given amulet-object, that inspired Urartians in
their war or piece activities, and, according to their beliefs, helped them to
achieve the victory and success in all undertakings.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Urartu kemerleri, kutsal, hayvanlar, fantastik, yaratıklar, mitolojik, yansımalar

Kaynakça

• Azarpay, G. 1990 Urartian Art and Artifacts: a Chronological Study, Berkeley and Los Angeles, University of California Press, p. 2
• Bonacossi, D. 1995 “Una cintura di bronzo Urartea nel Monastero della Congregazione Mechitarista Armena dell’isola di San Lazarro – Venezia”, Studi Micenei ed Egeo-Anatolici 35:139
• Bonacossi, D. 2009 “Urartian Bronze Belts in the National Museum of Aleppo”, Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und Vorderasiatische Archäologie 89/1:94
• Curtis, J. 1996 “Urartian Bronze Belts”, A Zeitschrift für Assyriologie und Vorderasiatische Archäologie 86/1:119
• Darke, D. 2011 Eastern Turkey – 2-nd Edition, Connecticut USA, The Globe Pequot Press Inc., p. 323
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• Taşyürek, O. 1977 “Adana Bölge Müzesindeki “Dedeli” Bronz Urartu Kemeri – The “Dedeli” Bronze Urartian Belt in the Adana Regional Museum”, Türk Arkeoloji Dergisi 24/2:157
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