Some issues of medieval Georgian identity

Abstract

Georgian nation is characterized by long-term continuity and stages of development in accordance with political, cultural, and social transformations. Such understanding of Georgian unity was rarely the subject of study in the historiography of the previous century, as ethnic identity in the Soviet Union was viewed in an essentially — as an unchanging and inherent phenomenon.

Modern approaches have given historians better tools to understand identity-related issues. The theoretical material available in current scholarly discourse presents the unity experience from a completely different perspective. In our case, we focus on subjective perceptions of Georgian unity, which significantly define its form and content, and even create a system of values.

From the perspective of identity, interesting findings have emerged through the study of medieval texts (such as The Life of Kartli and hagiographic works). In particular, the observation of ethnic terms allowed us to trace the development stages of internal social ties within the unity—from the period of Georgia’s political unification to the late Middle Ages. The study also showed that over the centuries, the intensity and role of ethnic identity markers (language, religion, the myth of common ancestry etc.) changed in response to political and social challenges.

According to Georgian Medieval sources this presentation aims to show these changes through specific examples and conclusions.