Events from the past reflected in the memory of the Artaanians according to the records of Konstantine Odisharia (from Martvili)

Abstract

The work presents an attempt to reflect the historical past of the Artaani region based on materials recorded by K. Odisharia during stationary research in 1913-1920, only a small part of which has been approved in Georgian historiography. Currently, Artaani is within the borders of the present-day Republic of Turkey, which further increases the importance of its study.
The work presents in detail the real history of the Artaani region, as researched by K. Odisharia, and rich statistical data – up to 600 toponyms, aspects of ethnic situation and traditional life, meticulously described, often at great risk, historical and cultural heritage monuments or their remains, including up to 500 churches preserved with up to 40 Georgian historical inscriptions, More than a hundred fortresses, more than 8 canals and pipes (including a milk transit pipe), 5 bridges and many others add further credence to the fact that Artaani’s cultural heritage is based on the roots of traditional Georgian culture.
The work discusses several historical facts and events based on the comparison of information received from the Georgian population of the historical region, legends and traditions. For example, an interesting interpretation of Queen Tamar’s will to her son – Lasha-Giorgi – is revealed. The similarity of the date of the main characters’ homage to the memory of Queen Tamar in the folk version of „The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin” – the prayer at night on April 30 until dawn on May 1, and the date of Queen Tamar’s death, set on May 15 of the church calendar, is clarified. Information is also provided about Otar-Beg about the ancient manuscript of „The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin” dated 1435, copied on parchment in the Shervashidze family relic.
The chronicle of the history of Artaani is supplemented by various toponyms recorded by K. Odisharia. The name of the village of Sinodi is considered as a religious oikonym, which may be associated with the presence of a temporary residence of the Catholicos in Javakheti. Also, the village of Sinodi is assumed to be the place where the „Javakheti Council” was held.
The Artaan records describe the story of the campaign of his successor, Lasha-Giorgi, against the apostate Atabag of Gandze after the death of Queen Tamar, which was not coordinated with the commanders of his successor, Lasha-Giorgi, which caused their indignation. It is precisely this fact that is related to the story of Lasha-Giorgi calling the village „Urchi” (disobedient) in response to the protest of the nobles.
It is convincing that K. Odisharia imagines all the keys to the mythopoetic world of „The Rider in the Tiger’s Skin” in the Artaani region, which is based on individual places that actually exist in the imagination of local Georgians at the level of historical geography (Kajeti Fortress, Palace, Palakatsio Lake Tunnel, etc.). The issue of the localization of Kajeti Fortress, which is not uniformly defined in Georgian historiography, and the consideration of the Kajeti Fortress in „The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin” as a prototype, is further supported by K. Odisharia’s extensive description of the fortress. In addition, other names for Childiri Fortress – Mze-Kala Fortress and others have also been identified.
Thus, K. Odisharia’s notes provide Georgian chroniclers with a real opportunity to study some unknown toponyms, many monuments of cultural heritage, and solve a number of problems of Kartvelology, which makes the inevitability of using Artaani materials as primary sources and including them in scientific circulation undeniable.