A bit of Historical Context, because it’s nice to know things
A little country nestled between the Northern and Southern Caucasus, on the crossroads of not just major cultural powers such as Russia, Turkey, and Persia, but also on the transition of Europe and Asia. In this turbulent neighbourhood, and despite everything, Georgia has thrived for thousands of years, a hidden pearl if ever there was one.
Holy Trinity Church of Gergeti
During the days of Greek explorers, when epic myth and Homeric legend were daily life, brave seafarers navigated the Mediterranean Basin. They sailed east, up the Black Sea, to a land not yet called Georgia. Colchis was the domain of a feared Witch-Queen.
Medea
It is the third century before Christ. Alexander the Great just died, his empire is crumbling, and in Alexandria a local librarian, Apollonions of Rhodos, decides to write one of the most important epic poems of the Classical Period. Jason and the Golden Fleece, also known as the Argonautica, if you don’t have much time.
Jason, the Dragon, and a Disappointed Athena
After a long and perilous journey, our fifty Greek heroes moor their boat on the shores of Colchis, sent there by a cruel King. He sent them on a quest for the Golden Fleece, but secretly wishes for their leader Jason to find nothing but his own demise. Arrived in the domain of another not-so-very-chill king, they find their request denied. The king of Colchis invents an impossible challenge, upon the completion of which they may return homeward with their prize.
With sunken hearts, our heroes lament their bitter fate, when unexpectedly, the powerful Medea, Queen and Witch, jumps to the rescue. With her herbs and magic potions, she turns Jason into a bronze man, invulnerable and untouchable. Jason defeats the fire-breathing bulls of the king, his armies that sprout like golems from the fields, and together with Medea, he ascends the high mountains of the North. A centuries old dragon guards the Golden Fleece among the crags, but with her deathly eyes, Medea drives the beast away, enables Jason to flee with the treasure.
Medea, by Frederick Sandys
The 2300 year old story doesn’t read very particularly smoothly. But it is a gem of cultural information, comparable to the Iliad and Odyssey. It teaches us about one of the most interesting female characters of Classical mythology.
A Tad more History, but hopefully not too much
The twelfth century was Georgia’s Golden Age. Its empire grew to its largest extent ever, and hand in hand with this military expansion, culture reached a new zenith. At the helm of this period stood none other than Queen Tamar. Contemporary clerks and writers praise her without limit, often implicitly, but very often also explicitly, very much in love with Tamar. According to their testimonies, the Queen gave all her wealth to the poor, built homes for those orphaned by war and punished the guilty in humane ways, ‘none were lashed as long as Tamar ruled’.
After booting her first husband, a vodka-loving Russian Prince, out of the kingdom, she married her childhood sweetheart David Soslan, a formidable commander. One of Tamar’s many unfortunate lovers was the author Shota Rustaveli, who was unable to pledge all of his love to her, and instead dedicated the most important book ever written in Georgian to his queen. For centuries, a copy of this work has been given to Georgian brides, to give them a strong and powerful female role model.
Georgia circa 1200
Tinatin
Crownprincess Tinatin, so astonishingly beautiful that even the sun pales in comparison, sends her lover Avtandil into the world, searching for the troublesome Knight in the Panther Skin (likewise the tile of the tale) who troubles her father, the King. After plentiful adventures in Arabic deserts, Persian mountains, and Indian cities, Tinatin discovers that the mysterious knight is named Tariel. As a banished Indian prince, he has spent the past years looking for his lost love.
Avtandil recognises the burning passion of his sworn brother, and decides to help him no matter the cost. Together they bring battle to a slew of fantastic Kaj demons, and upon our heroes’ victory, the long-separated lovers are once more united.
Tariel reunites with his love, Nestan-Darejan
This medieval poem distinguishes itself at a time of crusades by celebrating friendship and love as the highest possible human virtues, while also putting difficult philosophical, political, and religious questions in the spotlight.
