Livonia: formarea structurilor politice și religia precreștină a popoarelor baltice. O analiză comparativă
Livonia: The Formation of Political Structures and the Pre-Christian Religion of the Baltic Peoples. A Comparative Analysis

Summary/Abstract: This study examines the development of the Livonian region within the broader context of the Baltic area, focusing on both the formation of political structures and the configuration of the pre-Christian religious universe of the Baltic peoples. Drawing on historical, archaeological, and linguistic evidence, the research highlights the region's dynamic, multi-ethnic character, situated at the crossroads of Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe. It explores the main stages in the emergence of political entities in Livonia, as well as the external influences exerted by neighboring powers. From a religious perspective, the study reconstructs the essential features of Baltic pre-Christian beliefs, emphasizing the pantheon, ritual practices, and the social functions of traditional religion. A comparative analysis with Norse and Slavic mythologies reveals both shared elements and distinctive Baltic features, particularly the organic relationship between humans, nature, and the sacred. The study also underlines the crucial role of religion in maintaining social cohesion and legitimizing political authority. In conclusion, the paper argues that the pre-Christian Baltic world should not be regarded as a marginal cultural periphery of medieval Europe, but rather as a coherent system of social and spiritual organization. Its complexity helps explain both the resistance to Christianization and the specific characteristics of the subsequent processes of religious transformation.

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