Later editions of Shushanik tortures

Abstract

The Tortures of Shushaniki is the first monument of original Georgian writing, so it is not surprising that there is a great scientific interest in these hagiographic works written by Jacob Khutsesi (Tsurtaveli) in the 5th century. Since 1917, the work has been published several times, although the research interest of scientists has always been primarily the text of Jacob Khutsesi. The later editions of the tortures were left out of special attention.

We call the later editions the tortures of Shushanik, included in Martyrika by the Catholic Anton I Bagration in the 18th century, and the edition of Ioane Batonishvili, based on Anton's text, which he included in his penmanship.

Antony, of course, relies on the Georgian edition of Yakob Khutsesi (Georgian extensive edition), however, he seems to be familiar with and uses Armenian sources as well.

The story of Shushanik's torture is also described in Ioane Batonishvili's penmanship, which the author calls humor study. This work of Ioane Bagration was written in 1813-1828.

Ioane Batonishvili, while describing Shushanik's martyrdom, relies on the edition of Anton Katalikos. However, John simplified Antony's text, loaded with complex and philosophical-dogmatic terminology, and included it in his penmanship. It can be said that the Johannine narrative of Shushanik's torture is an abridged version of the Antonine redaction. For the first time, it is in Kalmasoba that we find the name of Metekhi Cathedral, the last resting place of Shushanik.

The review discusses the relationship between the later editions of Shushanik's Tortures, and the changes that Anton I and Ioane Batonishvili made in the works of Jacob Khucesis.