This research analyzes Gothic graffiti from the early Byzantine basilica at Mangup, revealing insights into the use and evolution of the Gothic language in the region. The findings indicate that Gothic inscriptions were prevalent as late as the 9th-10th centuries, demonstrating a linguistic coexistence with Greek and a strong influence of Byzantine practices in their composition. The study highlights the significance of these inscriptions in understanding the linguistic landscape of the Crimean Goths and their connection to the wider Gothic cultural tradition.
Key takeaways
AI generated
The Gothic graffiti date back to the 9th-10th centuries, reflecting a long-standing Gothic tradition in Crimea.
Five Gothic inscriptions were identified alongside Greek graffiti on fragments of a 6th-century basilica cornice.
The Gothic inscriptions demonstrate familiarity with Wulfila's Bible and Byzantine liturgical practices.
Inscriptions reveal a triglossia among Crimean Goths, encompassing Greek, literary Gothic, and a spoken vernacular.
The findings suggest significant cultural continuity and integration of Gothic language practices beyond traditional geographical boundaries.
FAQ's
AI generated
What explains the coexistence of Greek and Gothic inscriptions in Mangup?add
The study indicates a triglossia involving Greek, Wulfila's literary Gothic, and local vernacular Gothic, coexisting until the 10th century.
How did the Gothic inscriptions differ from earlier Greek graffiti?add
Gothic inscriptions utilized characters and phrases aligned closely with Wulfila's Bible, such as the psalm referencing in inscription I.1.
When were the newly discovered Gothic inscriptions produced?add
The inscriptions were dated to the 9th-10th centuries based on paleographic analysis, consistent with the Greek inscriptions.
What does the Gothic alphabet's presence indicate about cultural exchange?add
The diffusion of Wulfila's Gothic alphabet into the Crimea suggests strong cultural ties between Crimean Goths and communities in the Lower Danube.
What implications do these findings have for Byzantine ecclesiastical practices?add
The inscriptions reflect Gothic liturgical practices, showing their integration into Byzantine rites, likely under the archbishopric of Gothia established by the 8th century.
Ajbabin, A. 1999. Etničeskaja istorija rannesrednevekovogo Kryma [Айбабин А. И. Этническая история раннесредневекового Крыма]. Simferopol: DAR.
Barmina, N. 1995. Mangupskaja bazilika v svete nekotorych problem krymskogo srednevekov'ja [Бармина Н. И. Мангупская базилика в свете некоторых проблем крымского средневековья]. Antičnaja drevnost' i srednie veka 27. 77-84.
Braune, W. 2004. Gotische Grammatik mit Lesestücken und Wörterverzeichnis. 20. Aufl., neu bearb. von Frank Heidermanns (Sammlung kurzer Grammatiken germanischer Dialekte A 1). Tübingen: Max Niemeyer. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110945089
Kirilko, V. 1997. Vizantijskaja architektura Mangupa [Кирилко В. П. Византийская архитектура Мангупа]. In Archeologija Kryma 1. 89-97. Simferopol: Yuzhnogordkie vedomosti.
Marchand, J. W. 1973. The sounds and phonemes of Wulfila's Gothic (Janua Linguarum, Series Practica, 25). The Hague: De Gruyter Mouton. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110828054
Stearns, MacDonald Jr. 1978. Crimean Gothic: Analysis and etymology of the corpus. Saratoga: Anma Libri.
Tikhanova, M. 1953. Bazilika [Тиханова М. А. Базилика]. 334-389. Materialy po archeologii Jugo-Zapadnogo Kryma (Materialy po istorii i archeologii SSSR. Nr. 34).
Tomaschek, W. 1881. Die Goten in Taurien. Wien: Alfred Hölder.
Vinogradov, A. & Korobov, M. 2015. Gotskie graffiti iz Mangupskoj baziliki [Виноградов А. Ю., Коробов М. И. Готские граффити из Мангупской базилики]. Srednie veka 76:3-4. 57-75.
Yailenko, V. 1987. O korpuse vizantijskich nadpisej v SSSR [Яйленко В. П. О корпусе византийских надписей в СССР]. Vizantijskij vremennik 48. 160-173.
