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The Running Rituals in Ancient Rome (According to Ancient Authors and Plastic Art)

Погребалните ритуали в Древен Рим (според античните автори и пластичното изкуство)

Author(s): Ivanka Doncheva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: funeral rituals; 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑢𝑠; 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑒; 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜; ceremony; funeral procession; inhumation; cremation; funeral pyre; 𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑚; columbarium; sarcophagus; reliefs

The study of burial practices in Rome is both a religious and a legal issue, as there is a special regulation for organizing and conducting the funeral ceremony that was strictly observed. In Rome, as in Greece, caring for the dead was a sacred duty. To leave the dead unburied means to condemn his soul to perpetual wandering, and therefore to create a real threat to the living as the “tortured soul” was filled with malice. Two features distinguish Roman burials: the first is the importance that the Romans give to the deceased being buried and the solemnity with which the funeral ceremony is held, and the second – the lack of representatives of the public cult. Both the one and the other feature relate to the Romans’ beliefs about death. The funeral ceremony in ancient Rome is commonly referred to as the 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑢𝑠. In a broader sense, this term encompasses the set of rituals observed from the onset of death to the funeral. From the moment of death, the home and family of the deceased become 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑒 and stop being such after the funeral. The rituals that preceded the funeral were different from those accompanying the funeral itself. In this report we will try to trace funeral rituals carried out before and after the funeral, based on the testimonies left by ancient authors, archaeological data, and plastic art.

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About Courtesan Phryne: The Muse of Praxiteles and Apeles

За хетерата Фрина – музата на Праксител и Апелес

Author(s): Ivanka Doncheva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Phryne; Praxiteles; Apeles; Archeology

Phryne (in ancient Greek: Φρύνη) is the most famous ancient Greek courtesan from the 4th century BC, a muse of the great Greek artists – the sculptor Praxiteles and the artist Apeles. Born under the name Mnesarete (in ancient Greek: Μνησαρετή, i.e. 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑣𝑖𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑒) in Thespia – Boeotia, she went to Athens where she became a courtesan (hetaira). Very quickly, her „clients“ became some of the most prominent men of the time, such as the sculptor Praxiteles, who, according to Pliny the Elder, used her as a model for his famous statue of Aphrodite of Cnidus, and the artist Apelles, who, according to Athenaeus, used her as a model his Aphrodite Anadiomene. In addition to her beauty, Phryne was known for her high fares, which, according to the poet-comedian Mahon, varied according to her mood. Its wealth reached such proportions that, according to the grammar Callistratus, she proposed to restore the destroyed by Alexander the Great in 336 BC. city walls of Thebes, with one condition – to put the inscription „Destroyed by Alexander, restored by Phryne the courtesan“, but the inhabitants of Thebes did not accept this proposal. According to Elian, the Greeks erected a column with a golden statue of Phryne in Delphi, which, according to Athenaeus, was the work of Praxiteles and was entitled “Phryna, daughter of Epicles of Thespia.”

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Trends and Issues in Contemporary Bulgarian Translations of Ancient Greek and Roman Prose (1995 – 2020)

Тенденции и проблеми при съвременните български преводи на старогръцка и римска проза (1995 – 2020)

Author(s): Violeta Gerdzhikova,Nevena Panova / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: translations into Bulgarian; classical languages; translation and reception of Ancient Greek and Roman texts

The paper presents a survey of the translations from classical languages published in the last three decades, focusing mainly on the prose works. The period under consideration is subdivided into two sub-periods, 1995 – 2005 and 2005– 2020. Predominant trends for both of them are noted, including the prevalence of Greek original texts, the persisting interest in philosophical authors (particularly Aristoteles), and the lasting tendency, with some notable exceptions, to give attention to texts which have not been previously translated into Bulgarian.

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History of Latin Education

История на обучението по латински език

Author(s): Pepa Lungarova / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Hellenistic scholars; Roman grammarians; traditional methods

The article describes stages in teaching Latin from ancient to modern times. The first grammatical treatises by Hellenistic Alexandrian scholars were taught. In ancient Rome, between the 3rd century BC to 6th century AD, the focus was on grammar and rhetoric skills. In the Middle Ages, teaching grammar constituted the major part of the trivium and the Liberal arts. The goal of teaching Latin was to prepare students for a career both in secular and theological studies. Latin acquired the role of a Lingua Franca in Europe. It was the dominant language in the field of education, science, religion, law, trading, administration till the end of the 16th century. During the Renaissance period, it was gradually replaced by French, German and English, and the comparative historical method in teaching Latin and science was applied. In Europe, the introduction of Classical Language Studies in 18 – 19th century laid the scientific foundations of the teaching of Latin and Latin grammar. These foundations served as a pattern in writing the grammar books of contemporary languages till the end of the 19th century. The article represents the development of teaching Latin in Bulgaria and the traditional grammar/translation methods, whose main objective is the analysis and translation of original texts.

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Pre-Christian Reminiscences from the Cult of Emperor Constantine I the Great

Към предхристиянския култ към император Константин I Велики в Константинопол

Author(s): Vanya Lozanova-Stancheva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Emperor Constantine I the Great; the Constantine Forum; the Hippodrome; Byzantion; Constantinople.

The aim of the report is to present an analysis of the information from the early Byzantine authors on the cult of Emperor Constantine I the Great, which precedes the chronologically and typologically Christian cult of St. Constantine and Helena, but not without connection with it. Historical sources can be grouped into at least two groups organized around the events related to the consecration of Constantinople in May 330, in which two remarkable ritual and cult centers stand out: 1) The Constantine Forum: the consecration of the solar statue of Emperor Constantine at the newly constructed Constantine Forum on the famous porphyry column brought from Egyptian Thebes, the day before or on the first day of the 40-day celebrations, accompanied by numerous additional ceremonies and rituals; 2) Hippodrome: The ceremony of the Hippodrome on the first day of the 40-day celebrations in which the gilded xoanon of Constantine, holding a small sculpture of Tyche on the city in his right hand, was carried in the “Helios Chariot”. In the worship of the Emperor Constantine I the Great two important religious ideas were intertwined as central: – Preserving and resurrecting the solar cult context in the architectural and artistic design of the new political centers of the Constantine’s city, inherited from the ancient Byzantion; – Reviving and incorporating the ancient mythological tradition of the founding Byzantion in the new context and traditions of Constantinople.

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Studies on Latin Christian Literature (2nd – 11th cc.) in Bulgaria

Изследванията на латинската християнска литература (II – XI в.) в България

Author(s): Rosen Milanov / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Christianity; Latin literature; Christian literature; literature studies

Latin Christian literature of the first thousand years is a wide area for scientific studies. In this article a periodization of Latin Christian literature (2nd – 11th cc.) is made. A search has been carried out for the authors, firstly, who are an object of Bulgarian scientific articles and monographs; in the second place, topics of these studies have been found. A conclusion about the contemporary state of the studies on Latin Christian literature in Bulgaria has been also taken. Finally, the perspectives for the future Bulgarian studies on Latin Christian literature in Bulgaria have been drawn.

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Varna after the Liberation: A Crossroads of Ethnicities

Варна след Освобождението – кръстопът на етноси и религии

Author(s): Vanya Tonkova / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: ethnical diversity; Varna; religion

I present to you the ethnical diversity in Varna during the years after the Freedom, as well as their lifestyle, culture and self-awareness, however I will first begin by telling you a short history about Varna. It is well-known that even during the Osman slavery the city maintained its commerce and strategic identity. At the time the Turkish and Greek were dominating the population, however the Bulgarians have maintained their spirit and traditions. Considering the fact that the population was very diverse in terms of religion and personal beliefs, they have managed to live peacefully for many years. There were conflicts, however none of them were due to ethnical reasons, but mainly political. The majority have managed to organise and carry out their lives without interfering with others. Everybody knew where their place was in the society, resulting in respecting and valuing other members in society accordingly – this been maintained till present days. The Bulgarian nation has always been tolerant towards “the others”, however has kept true to their roots and traditions. It is well known that our sea capital has hosted many music and dance competitions and festivals will continue to do so. Varna is a perfect example of how different cultures and ethical people can live, work and find joy together, and this should be appreciated and respected by all of us.

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The Penetration of Christianity in Philippopolis

Навлизане на християнството във Филипопол

Author(s): Violina Traycheva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Christianity; Philipopolis; Roman province; Thracia Christian basilica; Late Antiquity

The present text discusses the penetration of Christianity in Philippopolis. For the purpose of the study the author presents and analyzes the historical events, the epigraphic sources and the archaeological evidences of the temple architecture within the city. The chronological boundary of the paper is until the middle of V century. The author summarizes the information of the topic, discusses some problems, asks new questions and submit new visions. The discussion is very important, because Philippopolis is one of the biggest cities in the Roman province of Thracia and also it is its capital. The ancient city is definitely rich in a variety of Christian buildings. Some of the temples differ from one another, but they have similarities in the architectural and mosaic decoration. It is important to be noted, that we can suggest, that there was a continuity in the cases of two of the temples with earlier non-Christian cultic structures (the temples in Komatevo and Djendem tepe).

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The Language of Odysseas Papanikolaou (Metropolitan Symeon of Varna and Preslav)

Η γλωσσα του Οδυσσεα Παπανικολαου (Μητροπολίτης Συμεών Βάρνας και Πρεσλάβας)

Author(s): Dimitrios Roumpos / Language(s): English,Greek, Modern (1453-) / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Metropolitan Symeon; Odysseas Papanikolaou; language; Bulgarian Renaissance

The Metropolitan Symeon of Varna and Preslav worldly known as Odysseas Papanikolaou (1841–1937) is one of the representatives of the Bulgarian renaissance culture who authored work in Greek. From the literary heritage of Metropolitan Symeon, have been preserved works in Greek from the time of his studies at the Holy Theological School of the island of Halki. This present communication addresses these passages as a source of linguistic features and personal style of the author.

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Bulgarian-Cypriot Relations in the Field of Literature

Българо-кипърски връзки в областта на литературата

Author(s): Boryana Manolova / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Bulgarian-Cypriot connections; literature

This report examines the Bulgarian-Cypriot relations in the field of literature. For this purpose, various articles, books and interviews with well-known researchers of Cypriot literature have been studied. Some accents and events from the history that have a direct impact on the literary relations between Cyprus and Bulgaria are considered. The research of the Bulgarian-Cypriot relations in the field of literature unfolds the chronology of their origin, their development during some of the more significant historical periods, as well as the interaction of the Bulgarian and Cypriot literature to the present day. Some similar characteristics between Bulgarian and Cypriot literature are indicated. Researchers of Cypriot literature, considered in this article, outline the origin and development of the connections of Cypriot literature and its interaction with Bulgarian literature. In addition they reveal the way in which Cypriot literature is popularized in Bulgaria, as well as the popularization of Bulgarian literature in Cyprus.

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Motivation of University Students in Japanese Studies When Applying for “Study in Japan” Programmes: The Case of St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia

Мотивацията на студентите японисти при кандидатстване за обучение в Япония – опитът на катедра „Японистика“ към СУ „Св. Климент Охридски“

Author(s): Tsvetomira Ivanova / Language(s): English,Croatian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Japanese studies; study abroad; motivation; attitude; university students; COVID-19

Despite the many and varied opportunities, there has been a decline in recent years when it comes to Japanese students who wish to study in Japan. This paper examines the possibilities for study in Japan for different periods of time, as well as its funding. Statistics from previous years are offered, as well as the results of a survey conducted among students in 2020. The results indicate the reasons for the decline in interest, and these are far from being limited only to the “different” academic year 2019/2020. Motivation and attitudes towards learning in Japan are based on problems of all kinds, which have always existed among the departing, but have recently become more intense. It turns out that the detailed information, provided by students returning from Japan to potential future candidates is too general or provided in an inappropriate format. The paper proposes solutions for the appropriate provision of more information, as well as side incentives to increase the interest of Sofia University Japanese studies students towards study in Japan programs.

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Japanese Culture Events in Bulgaria and Their Role in the Motivation of Japanese Language Learners

Японските културни събития в България. Мотивационната им роля в изучаването на японски език

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

Keywords: Japanese culture; Japanese language; Japanese culture events; methodology; motivation; Japanese language learners

The present paper focuses on: 1) The Japanese culture and language events in Bulgaria and 2) The correlation between those and the motivation of the Japanese language learners. The connection between 1) and 2) is revealed through an analysis of data taken from a workshop on Methodology of teaching Japanese as a second language which was organized in 2018 at Veliko Tarnovo University. The discussion is carried on from the point of view of the Japanese language lecturers who participated in the above mentioned initiative. According to the Japanese language lecturers there is a great variety of Japanese culture and language events organized every year by each of the participant institutions. They aim not only at popularizing Japanese culture, but also at stimulating the interest of the Japanese language learners. Through the direct participation in such initiatives the learners are encouraged to develop different language, cultural and intercultural skills and competencies and to study autonomously. The research pointed out that there is definitely a firm relation between those events and the motivation of the Japanese language learners. The events with the strongest effect on the motivation process are: Japanese culture festivals, speech contests, Japanese universities’ scholarships and the opportunity to study in Japan, the communication with the native speakers, etc.

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Satirical Literary Means that Depict the Iranian Political Elites in the Novel 𝐻𝑎𝑙𝑓𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑒 by Saeed Hafisi

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

Keywords: political elites; vices; Iranian society; post-World War Two; satire

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.

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Ancient Cosmogonic Myths Legends (East and West)

Древни космогонични митове и сказания (Изток–Запад)

Author(s): Desislava Damyanova / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: ancient myths; cosmogony; archaic cultures; anthropomorphism; hylozoism

When we turn to the spiritual culture of past epochs, we witness many original ideas and peculiar schemes – the result of the creative imagination of people who lived thousands of years ago. Some of them are purely local in nature and do not occur beyond the boundaries of a particular culture, others are a variation of views of the universe known worldwide; in any case, through the analysis of ancient myths, we can highlight the coded suggestions and symbolic models (archetypes) that refer to universal cosmological systems.

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The Sumerian Flood Story: The Nippur Tablet

Шумерският мит за Потока. Таблицата от Нипур

Author(s): Yoanna Dyulgerska / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Flood myth; Sumer; first cities; gods; Ziusudra

The Great Flood is a legendary story known from many ancient civilizations. The general idea is that the gods or god decide to destroy sinful humanity, but in the end they spare it by leaving a representative to repopulate the earth. Hardly anyone has not heard of the biblical Noah, God’s chosen one who survived the flood, but few know that long before history was recorded in the Bible, there was Ziusudra – the chosen one of the Sumerian gods who decided to destroy humanity as they unleash the waters and flood the earth. This paper presents a historical, geographical and substantive description of the cuneiform tablet revealing the history of the flood. Examples of other Sumerian cultural artifacts related to the myth are presented, as well as analogies with civilizations far and close to the Sumer, which in turn brings information about international relations in antiquity and the significance of a history present in human global civilization over the millennia.

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The Relation of Ispillurtu to the Assyrian Royal Ideology in the Letter SAA 10 030

Връзката на Ispillurtu с Асирийската царска идеология в писмото SAA 10 030

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

Keywords: ancient Near East; Assyriology; Neo-Assyrian Empire; cuneiform texts; Assyrian royal correspondence,;Assyrian royal ideology

The present paper discusses some elements of the Neo-Assyrian royal ideology attested t the beginning of the letter SAA 10 030. In the text the Akkadian words 𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑢, 𝑘𝑖𝑧𝑖𝑟𝑡𝑢 and 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑡𝑢 refer to the position of the crown prince and his relationship with the god Nabu. This relationship is attested in different texts of the period, such as 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑢𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝑎𝑏𝑢 and the so-called 𝐴𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑙. The author proposes that SAA 10 030 and two other texts, part of the royal correspondence, in which 𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑢 is mentioned, could be dated in the years when Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal were crown princes. Furthermore, the study explains the context of the letters SAA 10 030 and SAA 16 143 with the inauguration of the magistrates, who worked under the orders of the crown prince. In this way, we partially revive an old idea, suggested by the renowned Assyriologist S. Parpola in 1980s. The author also considers the possibility 𝑘𝑖𝑧𝑖𝑟𝑡𝑢 to represent a copy of the famous vassal treaties of Esarhaddon

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Etymology of the Names 𝑍𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑟𝑎, 𝐵𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑘, and 𝐵𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑘𝑎 near Stara Zagora

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

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

Keywords: Zagora region; Proto-Bulgarians; Stara Zagora city; Bedechka

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.

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The Dynasty of Constantine The Great (306–363) and the Cities of the Province of Moesia Secunda

Династията на Константин Велики (303–363) и градовете на провинция Втора Мизия

Author(s): Gergana Gercheva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Constantine; Moesia Secunda; construction activity

In 306 after the death of Constantius Clorus, his troops in York proclaimed his son Constantine for Roman emperor in violation of the established by Diocletian political system, called tetrarchy. After two decades of wars Constantine established himself as the sole ruler of the Empire. After his death his three sons divided the Roman empire and between 306 and 363 the state was ruled by his nephew Julianus Apostates. The name of the province of Second Moesia was mentioned many times in written sources during this period as well as its towns’ and archaeological data show the serious construction activity undertaken in them.

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English Present Participle as an Object Complement and its Macedonian Equivalents

Author(s): Katerina Vidova / Language(s): English,Macedonian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: English present participle; object complement; translation; Macedonian equivalent

The aim of this paper is to investigate the use of the present participle as an object complement in English and its Macedonian translation equivalents. The research is conducted on a corpus of sentences excerpted from English and American literature and their Macedonian translation equivalents. The results show that the present participle as an object complement is translated into Macedonian mostly with 𝑘𝑎𝑘𝑜 – dependent clauses. However, there are also examples in which the present participle as an object complement is translated with relative clauses, da-clauses, clauses with a verbal adjective, clauses with a verbal adverb, clauses with a verb in Imperfect and temporal dependent clauses.

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The Role of the King as a Priest in the Early Neo-Assyrian Empire (934 – 745 B.C.)

Ролята на царя като жрец в ранната Новоасирийска империя (934 – 745 г. пр. Хр.)

Author(s): Zozan Tarhan / Language(s): English,Bulgarian / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Neo-Assyrian Period; king; priest; rituals; reliefs; cuneiform sources

The present paper deals with the priestly role of the early Neo-Assyrian kings as represented in the royal inscriptions, visual sources and ritual texts. The study casts light on this aspect of the king’s roles in order to understand better the Assyrian kingship and the ideology behind it. It traces how the priesthood of the Assyrian ruler was perceived and in what context it was attested. At the same time, the ritual activities performed by the Assyrian king are identified, under what circumstances they were performed with the active participation of the king, how they took place and to what extent they were recorded in the source base. Both textual and visual sources are analyzed. Royal inscriptions and ritual texts are included in the first group. The iconographic group comprises scenes especially from the Northwest palace in Kalḫu and the city of Imgur-Ellil. Royal inscriptions present to a large extent the ideological part of the Assyrian ruler’s priestly role and less the practical execution of his sacerdotal functions. There are a few groups of mentions that referred to the king’s priestly role (Table 1). Reliefs involve ideological motifs and scenes of ritual activities. In the context of the scenes, some specific attributes held by the royal officials during the ritual activities are discussed; based on accounts from ritual texts, suggestions are made regarding their names and function. The ritual texts are more objective and aim to inform about the sequence of the ritual steps performed by the king, also including the other priests and participants.

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