От Херодот до християнските автори: за вдовиците на траките и ритуалната им смърт

Author(s): Dobriela Kotova / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The paper summarises the evidence provided by ancient authors about the public ritual death of the widows of some Thracians, with which they followed their deceased husbands voluntarily to the World Beyond. Herodotus was the first to narrate about that, followed by the Roman authors Pomponius Mela and Solinus, and after them – the Christian lexicographer Stephanus Byzantinus. Traces of such information about the Thracians are seen in one of the letters of St. Hieronymus. That written tradition is definitely based on the text of Herodotus. The late evidence repeats his words to a great extent. The ritual death of the Thracian widows was clearly transformed into locus communis, but the analysis of the communications reveals both dependences and differences between them. Viewed together, they are mutually complementary and supportive Herodotus testifying to the existence of variants of the universal ritual phenomenon of following into death among the Thracians. The paper summarises the evidence provided by ancient authors about the public ritual death of the widows of some Thracians, with which they followed their deceased husbands voluntarily to the World Beyond. Herodotus was the first to narrate about that, followed by the Roman authors Pomponius Mela and Solinus, and after them – the Christian lexicographer Stephanus Byzantinus. Traces of such information about the Thracians are seen in one of the letters of St. Hieronymus. That written tradition is definitely based on the text of Herodotus. The late evidence repeats his words to a great extent. The ritual death of the Thracian widows was clearly transformed into locus communis, but the analysis of the communications reveals both dependences and differences between them. Viewed together, they are mutually complementary and supportive Herodotus testifying to the existence of variants of the universal ritual phenomenon of following into death among the Thracians.

За произхода на името Казанлък и местоположението на град Крън

Author(s): Mariana Minkova,Ivan T. Ivanov / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The article shed light on the early history of the Ottoman city of Akça Kizinlik, the predecessor of the modern city of Kazanlak, in order to discover the meaning of this name and its possible relationship with the name of the former Bulgarian district town of Krun. Evidence is presented that the city of Krun was located within the territory of today’s town of Kazanlak, near the Kulenska mahala residential district. This conclusion is supported by the linguistic analysis of the semantic rout Kizin of Kizýnlik, which regularly conveys the name of the medieval Bulgarian town of Krun. The first part of the Ottoman name, Akça “spring, a place rich in potable water”, repeats the meaning of the old Greek name Krunoi “spring”, latter transformed into Bulgarian name Kran.The article shed light on the early history of the Ottoman city of Akça Kizinlik, the predecessor of the modern city of Kazanlak, in order to discover the meaning of this name and its possible relationship with the name of the former Bulgarian district town of Krun. Evidence is presented that the city of Krun was located within the territory of today’s town of Kazanlak, near the Kulenska mahala residential district. This conclusion is supported by the linguistic analysis of the semantic rout Kizin of Kizýnlik, which regularly conveys the name of the medieval Bulgarian town of Krun. The first part of the Ottoman name, Akça “spring, a place rich in potable water”, repeats the meaning of the old Greek name Krunoi “spring”, latter transformed into Bulgarian name Kran.

Творческа рецепция на античната традиция в „DE CULTURA HORTORUM“ на Валафрид Страбон

Author(s): Kalina Boseva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

Walahfrid Strabo was a celebrated poet and theologian of the 9th century. He lived and studied mainly in Reichenau, a monastery in modern Germany, where he was monk and at some point abbot. His education covered the Scripture, the writings of the Holy Fathers, as well as Latin, Greek, geography, poetry and the liberal arts. Walahfrid’s many works, written in Latin, consist of theological treatises in prose and many poems on different subjects. Among them is a poem on gardening and the medicinal uses of the plants titled „De cultura hortorum” – „On the cultivation of gardens”. The poem has many scientific and poetical sources: Pliny the Elder, Collumela, Dioscorides, Celsus, Serenus Sammonicus, Pliny Valerianus, Apuleus Platonicus, Isidore of Seville, Virgil, Horace, Lucretius Carus. Strabo used his sources creatively, with a view to do more than just another compilation. He used the words and phrases he found as building blocks in order to come up with a new, contemporary concept for both aesthetics and utility. He is believed to have served as a monastery gardener himself, so likely fused his ideas and practical experience with the received literary tradition of his time. He thus created a unique snapshot of a real life cloister garden – his own garden – both authentic and ideal.

Виното в Китай и в поезията на Ли Бай

Author(s): Iskra Mandova / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

Wine in China has a long history which can be traced back to about 4000 BC to the period of the Neolithic Yangshao culture. In 1979 archaeologists excavated a grave of the Dawenkou culture in Shandong Province where they found a set of about 100 wine making vessels from 5000 years ago, including vessels for wine boiling, fermentation, storing and drinking. After issuing of the first anti-wine regulation in the Chinese history from the first ruler of the Western Zhou (1046–771), from the period of the Han dynasty wine industry registered a boom. Under the Sui and the Tang dynasties, wine making continued to develop, private production was no longer limited and ordinary people could make and sell wine freely.

Българското участие във францисканските мисии в Югоизточна Европа през XVII в.: Павел от Петокладенци

Author(s): Elmira Vasileva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The Bulgarian Catholics’ history should not be studied independently but in connection with the general Roman Church’s Balkan policy in the Ottoman period. The Bulgarian Catholics and their Franciscan priest were in contact with other Catholic groups living under the Ottomans, as well as outside the Empire. They are part of a sort of religious network that goes beyond political and geographical borders. Bulgarian Franciscans participated in Roman Church’s missions in the 17th century, being sometimes appointed to important positions. They are educated in the Catholic colleges in Italy and, being fluent in Italian and Latin, are familiar with the European intellectual trends and political concepts of their time. Actually, they are the main bearers of modern ideas among the Bulgarians.

GRAND STRATEGY AND MILITARY IMPLICATIONS OF NEW RUSSIA’S MILITARY DOCTRINE IN 21ST CENTURY: GEOSTRATEGIC ASPECTS OF HYBRID WARFARE STRATEGY AGAINST GEORGIA AND UKRAINE

Author(s): Vakhtang MAISAIA / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

A paper reflects new dimensions of New Cold War geostrategic balance implications at pan-regional(European) and regional (Black Sea) levels that already has been transformed into classical hybrid warfare between the Russian Federation and NATO due to the Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. Currently adopted military doctrine of the Russian Federation envisages engagement into two military conflicts simultaneously and constructed its strategic operational framework founded on incorporation of three combat elements: military, non-military and information warfare measures and proper concepts. Hence, it means that Russia can beginwar-game scenarios at the same time against two neighboring nations as it occurs at time being against Ukraine and Georgia. At that respect, the incumbent Russian military leadership in aegis of so-called “GerasimovDoctrine” is promoting hybrid warfare as a key dominant grand strategy with relevant theater strategy and operational art elements (for instance, operational – strategic command HQ “South” and 5 Army Corp HQs). The military “muscle” could easily skew and twist European security environment that is much unprepared to the geostrategic challenge – Crimea occupation and annexation in 2014, war with Georgia in 2008, hybrid attack to Estonia in 2007 and very recently large-scale military intervention in Azov Sea and pending regional hegemony conditions in Caspian Basin. These military asymmetric challenges and risks deriving from the arms race derailed by the Russia’s incumbent authority, and security dilemma embroiled with by the elements of WMD are sufficient indications why the European security is plausible fragile against such challenges. From academic standpoint, the thesis deals in analyzing with the most dangerous threat targeting the European security architecture – asymmetric military challenge and realization of which is pursued in wagging hybrid war against Georgia and Ukraine. The new type of warfare is a probe stone perfected against these two post-Sovietnations indicates and poses real menace, mainly geostrategic origin, easily targeted NATO member-states, including Poland. The article predisposes reflection and understanding true meaning of so-called “GerasimovDoctrine” and the whole new version of Military Doctrine of Russia and how it is implemented at the stage. A shift transformation takes place in realms of contemporary century warfare doctrinal planning and the transformation has already implicated of identifying new type of warfare strategy – asymmetric war with representation of hybrid warfare that contributing in re-shaping a grand strategy that allows policymakers to steer through the uncertainties of a complex international security environment; Elaboration real content and new definition of “hybrid war” and its dual fold implications how to quell and deal with asymmetric military challenges and risks and how to cause the challenges on its matter. Moreover, it describes and review reformatting modality in planning and wagging war due to the military technology development that contributed to a far more complicated strategic environment for war than that of previous century. In that respect is to be identified new style of warfare – Urbanistic warfare presented in 2008 August Russia-Georgia war as well as in war in Ukraine (Mariupol battle) new definition of the warfare in general matter.

PUTIN’S POLICY IN UKRAINE: A DESTRUCTIVE, UGLY, ATTRITION BASED WAR, FOUGHT AIMLESSLY, FOR THE SAKE OF WAR

Author(s): Iulian Chifu / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

It is a challenge to try to draw conclusions and find the characteristics of an ongoing crisis. Even more so when it is a large-scale war, like the one fought by Russia in Ukraine, a war already defined as a war of aggression of Russia in Ukraine, unprovoked, illegal and unjustified, an invasion of Russia in Ukraine aimed at conquering new territories for Moscow to annex. But, after three months of war, some basic arguments are already in place and it is worth assessing the regularities of this war and its particularities in a way that allows us to predict the evolution of this war. And if no two wars are alike, comparisons give us hints about previous behaviors and perspectives of evolution. In this case, the 7 districts buffer zone in Nagorno Karabakh could give us a hint on the way the destruction of Eastern Ukraine will be used in the future by Russia to deny any the presence of weapons close to its borders.

THE ROLE OF UKRAINIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES WITHIN THE WAR IN UKRAINE

Author(s): Adrian-Corneliu DIEANU / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The analysis of Ukrainian special operations forces’ capabilities is an important endeavor in studying the development of the war from Ukraine – as a consequence of the Russian Army invasion, in February 24, 2022. The actions of the Ukrainian elite military forces contributed to the failure of the initial Russian military planners’ strategic aims. National Ukrainian Army initiated the preparations to defend against an invasion force of the Russian Federation Armed Forces of 200,000 militaries, grouped in tactical units around the Ukrainian borders. Special operations Ukrainian forces had the significant role of stopping Moscow’s objectives established at the beginning of the Russian invasion and of obtaining these remarkable results within the fights against the Russian army’s units; they stood out, especially within the planned action of defeating the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. The role of Ukrainian special operations forces within the war in Ukraine consisted in bold actions behind the adversaries’ lines, resulting in destroying certain command points and in eliminating several important commanders from the command chain of the Russian Federation invasion forces. Ukrainian special operations forces engaged efficiently the fight with the Russian elite forces that landed in the neighborhood of Kyiv and also blocked the military actions that intending to get the control over certain strategic objectives.Interrupting the logistic flow of the Russian Armed Forces, destroying the Russian logistic centers from Ukrainian and Russian territory, as well as organizing resistance cells for guerrilla fight within the Ukrainian territories occupied by the Russians are among the successful missions of the Ukrainian special operations forces. The endeavor of the current article is to analyze the Ukrainian special operations force’ transformation process since 2014 – an evolution from a structure specific for the „Spetsnaz” and Soviet Union (U.R.S.S) to the current capabilities and modern endowment, driven upon a development & training program, commonly developed with special forces units from NATO armies.

Скалигеровият Патерик и двояката трансмисия на църковнославянските текстове

Author(s): William R. Veder / Language(s): English,Bulgarian,Old Slavonic Publication Year: 0

An abridged version of the Slavonic Scaliger Patericon is shown to be copied both from Cyrillic and Glagolitic antigraphs; the same circumstance is observed in the translations of the Scete Patericon and Athanasius of Alexandria’s Homilies Against the Arians. Twofold transmission makes it possible to contrast the features of copying from Glagolitic with those of copying from Cyrillic.

Света гора Сливенска и Света гора Атонска. За два сакрални района преди християнството

Author(s): Georgi Kovachev / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

This article compares the ancient heritage of two medieval monastery societies, the Holy mountain of Sliven and the Holy mountain of Athos. Apollo, Dionysus, Zeus, and the Great Mother Goddess were celebrated in both regions as described by ancient sources, art works, archeological and numismatical evidences, and contemporary customs and folklore. According to the research, Dionisos and Orphical rituals were practiced in Antiquity in both areas, perhaps by domestic organized male societies.

Археологически свидетелства за проникването на Кирилометодиевото дело в Североизточна България

Author(s): Georgi Atanasov / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

Presented are two inscriptions accompanied by graffiti – drawings from the end of 9th and the beginning of the 10th century found in North-Eastern Bulgaria. It is believed that they are directly related to the spread of the cause of Cyril and Metho¬dius in Bulgaria since the mid-9th century. The first monument was discovered during archaeological excavations in the Old Bulgarian monastery near the village of Ravna, Provadiya region, east of the capitals of Pliska and Preslav. There is no doubt, there is written КΛΗΜΕΝΤΟΣ ΠΑΠΑ ΡΟΜ(Η)С (Clement Pope of Rome). Next to the sign, there is a dove against two dragons. Definitely the cult of Clement Pope of Rome, who lived in the first century, and died in exile in Chersonese, was introduced in Bulgaria by the Great Moravian students of St. Cyril and St. Methodius, who arrived in Pliska in 886. The cult was reborn after Cyril found the remains of Clement Pope of Rome on January 30th 861 at the mission in Chersonese, then took them to Rome and formally submit them to the Pope Adrian II in 867. It is remarkable that the only Eulogy to Clement of Rome, written by Clement of Ohrid himself, compares the Pope to a dove brought up by Apostle Peter himself. The second monument is the inscription in Cyrillic and Glagolitic letters from the old Bulgarian fortress near the village of Tsar Asen, Silistra, that emerged around the end of 9th and the beginning of the 10th century. It reads: “On Gospozhina day has been placed the cross. Lord have mercy on me, Manasseh monk with serf through Byzantium“. It is assumed, that Manasseh is a new, unknown by name disciple of St. Cyril and St. Methodius, who specifically warns that he comes from Byzantium, the old name of the Byzantine capital Constantinople. According to Naum’s biography, some of the Mora¬vian students of St. Methodius are sold by the German clergy in slavery. Later, with the support of the Emperor, they were purchased and received in Byzantium, and later, with the personal assistance of Prince Boris, they were brought to Bulgaria.

Търновски принцеси като иноземни владетелки

Author(s): Rumyana Komsalova / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

An important medium of diplomacy during the Middle Ages were the dynastic marriages and a number of Princesses of Tarnovo became foreign rulers. Have they faced the dilemma of acting in the interest of their homeland or to support the policies of their ruling spouses and how much did they have the opportunity to participate actively in the power structures?

Цар Иван Александър и развоят на гражданската война във Византия през 1343 – 1344 г.

Author(s): Momchil Mladenov / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The paper presents the key moments of the participation of the Bulgarian state in the Civil war in Byzantium. The author emphasizes the information of the Turkish poet Enveri (15th century). He reports that Bulgaria is part of the sacred alliance organized by the Papacy to fight with emirate of Smirna. Аccording to the author, Tsar Ivan Alexander is part of the Christian coalition. His involvement in Byzantine civil war is a consequence of these diplomatic actions.

Залезът на двете царства – татари и българи през втората половина на XIV век

Author(s): Aleksandar Uzelac / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

Идеите на исихазма, отразени в творчеството на Патриарх Евтимий

Author(s): Antoaneta Buyuklieva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian,Old Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

This article examines the works of Patriarch Evtimii, founder of the Tarnovo Literari School and an undoubted authority in the spiritual and cultural life of medieval Bulgaria, in connection with the ideas of the most powerful ideological movement – the Hesychasm. The ideas of hesyhast doktrine are indirectly reflected in the life and encomium of the writer through the image of the characters who have the features of the perfect Hesychast. Evtimii’s answers in his messages directly reflect the ideas of hesychasm of unity of the church and dominion over secular authority and fight against the moral corruption. The analysis of Patriarch Evtimii proves that his entire literary work is subject to the strict moral norms that impose the hesychasm as a spiritual trend, as well as to the high artistic and aesthetic criteria he forms in the literature – true and artistic translations, richly decorated style, exquisite phrase.

THE LINK BETWEEN ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL INTEGRATION IN EUROPE

Author(s): GILLES GRIN / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This contribution analyses the link between economic and political integration in Europe from a historical perspective. The aim is to shed light on the dynamics behind the various phases of European integration, which – it bears clarifying from the start – is first and foremost a political project. In the first part of the paper, I will look at the context in which the European Communities were created after the Second World War. I will then present Jean Monnet’s vision and analysis of Europe, before expanding the scope to include some competing visions. This will be followed by an explanation of the shift in European integration in the 1990s. I will conclude with a look at the latest integration-related issues and the prospects for the future.

Сатирични похвати при изобразяването на иранския политически елит в романа „На половината път към рая“ на Саид Нафиси

Author(s): Vladimir Mitev / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The post-World War Two period in Iran is characterized by the feeling of crisis and alienation in the Iranian society. It is stregnthened particularly after the coup of 1953, which topples the democratically-elected prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. A satirical novel, published in the same year – 𝐻𝑎𝑙𝑓𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑒 by Saeed Nafisi provides valuable insights in the reasons for crisis in Iranian society – the negative selection of its elites, who lack qualities, ethics, culture, but are full of vices. The author, who belongs to the old elites of his country, masterfully depicts the weaknesses and comic elements of the Iranian political elites through a skillful usage of various satirical literary means. That is how the condemnation of those newcomers among the tops of the country is achieved.

Етимология на названията „загора“, „бедек“ и „бедечка“ до Стара Загора

Author(s): Mariana Minkova,Ivan T. Ivanov / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

Toponymic name Zagora is practically absent over the vast territories inhabited in the past and recently by Slavic population excluding the Bulgarian land. In our communication five historical areas with such toponimic names are listed on the territory of the First and Second Bulgarian Kingdoms. These are: Tervel’s Zagora, Zagora around the town of Melnik, Zagora around the town of Belogradchik, Zagoria (Zagori hori) in Northern Pindus mountain, and Zagora around the capital Tarnovo. To these, we can add the region of Zagura (VI century) placed in the North-Western Carpathians and inhabited by early Bulgarians, as well as areas Zahra-i Dobruca (Zagora in Dobruja), Paroraia (“Trans-mountain” in Greek) in the Strandzha mountain and the former Bulgarian region of Rashka later called Serbian Zagora (XII century). Taking into account the predominant border location of the mentioned areas with the Bulgarian name Zagora, we assume kinship of this name with the early Persian šahr “subordinate country, newly annexed province”. The names of Bedechka river and of the mountain peaks Bedek and Beter are all known for being very windy. Hence, the semantic root “bed”, common for these names, is derived from the rare Old Bulgarian word “bad” “wind” which has strong kinship with similar Iranian words. The presence of such early Bulgarian appellations in the Stara Zagora vicinity is related to the information of Theophylact of Ohrid and Blazius Mili about the early occupation of the Beroe region by the newly established Bulgarian state.

Педагогическата дейност на Добри Чинтулов в Сливен

Author(s): Viktoria Mihneva / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The article examines Dobri Chintulov’s pedagogical activity during his teaching in Sliven. It traces the period from 1850 to 1875 when the poet lived and worked in the city. It shows the changes that occur at the school and the education of the students under the guidance of Chintulov.

Шуменци, възпитаници на италиански учебни заведения (края на XIX – началото на XX век)

Author(s): Rositsa Angelova / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The historical narrative presents the youth of Shumen who received education in Italian educational institutions at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. They studied in today's cities of Turin, Milan, Pisa, Pinerolo and Naples. In the period from 1879 to 1912, ten young people born in Shumen studied in Italian educational institutions. Among them are the girls Penka Preslavska and Manya Dimitrova. A significant part of the Shumen graduates are realized in various spheres of activity - veterinarians, generals, professors in higher schools, artists, actors, and teachers. Graduated or not, they return to their homeland having mastered European languages and the achievements of Western European civilization. This large number, as well as the specialities chosen by them, are a vivid testimony to the aspiration of the Shumen youth to obtain higher education and to make efforts for the modernization of the Third Bulgarian State and their native Shumen.