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Ethnogeny:
Together with several types of North-Caucasian families,Georgians form ancient
indigenous population of the Caucasus. They take origins from the
Proto-Indo-Europian period ( IV-III millenium B.C.).
A lot of archeological monuments are protected in various museums of
Georgia. They bear witnesses to the relationships between Georgians and ancient
nations of Shumerians, Pelasgians, Hurrians. By that time Georgians were
probably occupying a large territory to the south from theCaucasus - to the
north-east of Asia Minor, in the north part of Messopotamia.
After the migration of Indo-Europeans, Ibero-Caucasian nations
(Georgians), were localized in the Caucasian region.
Language: The main branch of
Iberian-Caucasian linguistic family is the group of Kartvelian languages, which
consists of three kinded of languages: Georgian, Zanian, and Svan.
Written Language: Among the now existant
14 alphabets one is Georgian. There are three kinds of it: "Asomtavruli"
(capital script), "Khutsuri" (ecclesiastical script) and "Mkhsdruli" (civil or,
literraly, military). The oldest specimen of Georgian scriptures is made in the
first part of V century in the Georgian cloister of Palestine. The oldest
literary monument, which reached the present days belongs to the midst of V
century.
Education: In the III-IV century AD in
Georgia there was a well-known rhetorical academy in the city of Phasis. Here
studied the famous Greek philosophers Themistios and Eugenius, as they testify
in their letters. Georgian monasteries in Palestine ( V century ), of mount
Sinai ( IX century ), of mount Athos ( X century, Greece ) were the educational
centres where the educational and translational activity was carried.
In the XII century Academies of Gelati and Ikalto were founded in
Georgia.
Architecture: The Georgian architectural
style is characterized by the original form of so called "Hall-style". It is
also characterized by the towns cut in the rocks in the second part of I
millenium (BC).
Georgia is studded with ancient castles and churches.
Art:
In the Georgian museums are kept the specimens of art of IV-III millenium (BC).
Georgian world of II century (BC) knew the mosaic art. From the 5th century
Georgian churches are decorated with stone ornaments. Georgian art is
characterized by original chasing style, unique fresco and enamel.
Music: Georgian enviroment has kept up
to present days specimens of ancient songs and dance, unique polyphonic (three
and four voice) folk songs and religious hymns.
Some historical Georgian toponyms:
Colchis (XIII BC), Tabals and Mushkis (X BC), Suspers (VII BC), Diaoch (VIII
BC), Iberia (IV BC), Kartlin (IV AD), Abkhazia (VII AD), Tao-Klarjeti (IX AD),
Sakartvelo (XII AD). For more detailed information
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