On the National Identity of Georgians
Öz
Initial outlines of the Georgian cultural and civilizational identity were formed under the influence of the East, which did not become its organic part. Approximately the same was happened with the Classical world. The significance of the Oriental influence should not be forgotten either, which played the role of a certain equilibrant. All this found reflection in the Medieval times and even after during the appearance of Russia in the Caucasus. However, unlike Rome itself and especially Byzantium, relations with Moscow, despite the unification of the national organism, did not lead to the rise of the Georgian statehood. Another important issue is that Georgian élite is very far from the Georgian people, they do not realize, that close historical contacts with the Middle East, influence of the religion and the communal organization, superficial influence of the Classical civilization and a traditional way of life were the main features of Georgian society. These features, in many respects, have remained till today. Despite the deep influence of the western civilization in recent years, political and cultural features of Georgia still remained a post-Soviet style. Georgian society still finds it difficult to internalize the main postulates of democracy.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Ancient Georgia, Classical, Byzantine, Islamic worlds, Russia and West
Etik Beyan
Ethical committee approval is not required for this study
Kaynakça
- Akurgal, E. (1985). The ancient civilizations and ruins of Turkey. Türk Tarih Kurumu.
- Allen, W.E.D. (2024). A history of the Georgian people: from the beginning down to the Russian conquest in the nineteenth century. Routledge.
- Bahā' ad-Dīn, ibn Shaddād (2002). The Rare and Excellent History of Saladin. Translated by D.S. Richards. Ashgate Publishing.
- Chardin, Jean (2018). Voyage at Persia and other eastern countries: information on Georgia (Trans. V. Barnov). Sabas Tsignebi.
- Corboy, D., Courtney, W., & Yalowitz, K. (2008). Europe, not the US, can get Russia to behave. The Christian Science Monitor, November 7. http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1107/p09s01-coop.html
- Corboy, D., Courtney, W., & Yalowitz, K. (2009). A wake-up call for Georgia, Ukraine – and the West. The Christian Science Monitor, June 10. http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0610/p09s02-coop.html
- Devijver, H. (1986). Equestrian officers from the East. In P. Freeman & D. Kennedy (Eds), The Defense of the Roman and Byzantine East (pp. 109-226). BAR International Series.
- Hopwood, K. (1986). Towers, territory and terror: how the East was held. In P. Freeman & D. Kennedy (Eds), The Defense of the Roman and Byzantine East (pp. 343-356). BAR International Series.
- Kakhidze, E. (2002a). Byzantium and the south-eastern Black Sea area since the reign of Constantine the Great to the Era of Justinian I. Ancient History: Journal of the Department of Ancient History, 2, 112-134.
- Kakhidze, E. (2002b). Southeastern Black Sea area in the late Classical and early Byzantine periods: results of relationships with the Classical world. Historical Bulletin, 11, 106-117.