Naslov
Towards the Reconstruction of an Indo-European Prototype: Parallels between Morana and Helen of Troy

Autori
Glavan, Maria Mariola

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, neobjavljeni rad, znanstveni

Skup
Međunarodni znanstveni skup "Natales grate numeras?"

Mjesto i datum
Zadar, Hrvatska, 07.04.2017. - 08.04.2017

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Podatak o recenziji nije dostupan

Ključne riječi
Helen, Morana, Indo-European, comparative mythology, solar deity

Sažetak
It has been generally accepted in Indo-European comparative mythology that Helen of Troy was, at some earlier point in her existence, a goddess ; cognates of hers have been proposed from Baltic and Indic mythology. My paper addresses the issue of Helen’s divinity by examining her relation to a goddess known from Slavic mythology. In this article I will argue that an Indo-European parallel exists between Helen of Troy and the Slavic goddess Morana, who has in turn been proposed as a cognate to the Baltic Saulês dukterys from Lithuania, and the Latvian Saules meita, deities that have been indicated as possible cognates to Helen as well. This parallel is suggested on the basis of common elements associated with the divinities in question, which are confirmed using an analysis which draws upon primary sources such as Theocritus and Isocrates, as well as secondary sources, including Katičić’s work on the textual reconstruction of Slavic religious texts. These common associations include animal motifs (horse, swan, cattle), abduction, twins, golden apples, vegetation, water, and the colour white. Each are discussed in turn in the paper, and illustrated with textual evidence. The paper concludes with a discussion of Morana and Helen of Troy in relation to their Indo-European prototype, in which I argue that both Helen and Morana represent reflexes of an Indo-European goddess, the daughter of a solar deity.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Filologija

POVEZANOST RADA