History of the Study of Ancient Georgian Panegyric Poems in Georgian Soviet Literary Studies

Abstract

In Georgian Soviet literary criticism, various hypotheses were expressed about the authors of the ancient Georgian panegyric poems “Tamariani” (author – Chakhrukhadze) and “Abdulmesiani” (author – Ioan Shavteli) and the dates of their writing, as well as about the artistic and formal features of these poems. In particular, some critics considered the frequent use of homonymous rhymes in these poems to be a defect that obscures the meaning of the works. Other Soviet Georgian scientists held the opposite opinion. We considered it necessary to substantiate the hypothesis that the specific poetic structure of these poems was conditioned by the influence of Neoplatonic philosophy. A basis arose for the synthesis of philosophy and poetry, carried out in the poetry of ancient Georgian poets – Chakhrukhadze and Shavteli.