Asen Bondzhev - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Asen Bondzhev

Open Journal for Studies in History, 7(2), 88-98, 2024

In the past rock-cut monuments were used for horizon or meridional observations of solstices and ... more In the past rock-cut monuments were used for horizon or meridional observations of solstices and equinoxes. This study focuses on three of the better studied through the means of archaeoastronomy monuments in Thrace-Tangardak kaya, Harman kaya and Zaychi vrah (Cabyle). The additional carvings of Tangadak kaya womb-cave suggest that it was used not simply for Sun-observation, but also for ancient Sun-related spiritual practices during the winter solstice. Similar practices were used two millennia later in the Golyama Arsenalka Thracian Tomb's domed chamber, which shows that in Thrace there was a millennial continuity of ancient spiritual beliefs.

Open Journal for Studies in Arts, 7(2), 45-54, 2024

The first part of this study focuses on the institution of the Thracian king-priest – a leader wh... more The first part of this study focuses on the institution of the Thracian king-priest – a leader who in addition to the political, also directs religious affairs, as attested since at least the middle of the 2nd millennium BC not just by written accounts, but by the tripartite vessel from the Valchitran Treasure and the numerous excavated double axes as well. The second part of the research is dedicated to the role of gifts in Thracian aristocratic society. It is so significant that according to Thucydides, it is “impossible to get anything done without a present.” Special attention is therefore given to the personal account of Xenophon, who describes in full detail the method of Seuthes II for acquiring gifts.

Open Journal for Anthropological Studies, 8(2), 67-76, 2024

The Thracian institution of the king-priest is attested since at least the middle of the 2nd mill... more The Thracian institution of the king-priest is attested since at least the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. This study presents Orpheus not just as a talented poet and singer, but also as a Thracian king-priest from before the Trojan War, who had different spiritual understanding (later known as Orphism) and attempted to reform the old religious belief system. The solar circles, some of them oriented towards the sunrise, found on numerous rock sanctuaries in Thrace, show that Sun-related practices were present in Thrace millennia before Orpheus and they were one of the key elements of his philosophy, just as the idea of bodily purification, which ultimately lead to enlightenment and divine inspiration. It is also reasonable to assume that his teaching involved a doctrine, probably only for initiates, related to the cycle of the soul after its final departure from the body.

Open Journal for Studies in Philosophy, 8(1), 63-70, 2024

The Hyperboreans appeared at key moments in the history of Ancient Greece, bringing innovations t... more The Hyperboreans appeared at key moments in the history of Ancient Greece, bringing innovations to its culture and helping in time of need. They had important dealings with the Greeks until historical times. This study presents some of their contacts, mainly focusing on the Hyperborean maidens and the philological interpretations of Herodotus (4.35). Special attention is given to pseudo-Plato's account of Opis and Hecaergus (Agre) having brought sacred bronze tablets with eschatological teachings from the Hyperboreans to Delos, which remarkably resemble the Orphic gold tablets. Olen, although being from Lycia, is also mentioned, in the context of Pausanias (10.5.7-8) account, where the poet seems to have close connections with the Hyperboreans.

Open Journal for Studies in History, 2024

In contrast to the cruel and militant gods, who treated humans as pawns in their power struggle, ... more In contrast to the cruel and militant gods, who treated humans as pawns in their power struggle, Enki is remembered not just as a benevolent god who saved the human race from extermination, but who also imparted knowledge. Especially scholarly disciplines like divination, astrology, astronomy, lamentation and exorcism were considered a revelation by Enki. The Catalogue of Texts and Authors attests that a handbook of medical symptoms comes "of the mouth of Ea", "Adapa wrote them down at his dictation." Enki was helped by his Seven Sages-the apkallu (Adapa being the main one)-the cosmic guardians who disseminated his knowledge, and were remembered as teachers of humankind and laying the foundation of civilization. According to Berossus, "from that time nothing further has been discovered." Sometime around the Flood they disappeared, descending to the abode of Enki. This transition is reflected in the change from semi-divine sages or culture-heroes (apkallu) to scholars (ummanu).

Open Journal for Anthropological Studies, 8(1), 21-32, 2024

In the past scholars traced monotheism to the time of Moses, around 1200 BC. But in the last deca... more In the past scholars traced monotheism to the time of Moses, around 1200 BC. But in the last decades that date changed to 7 th-6 th century BC. Further, the discovery of the Ugaritic texts in 1928 on the north coast of Syria has helped historians of religion to notice the development of Israelite religion from a polytheistic Canaanite stratum to monotheistic Yahwism. Through examining biblical and extra-biblical texts, archaeological material, and inscriptions, this study traces the religious similarities of the Israelite and Canaanite culture. Genesis 49, Psalm 82 and Deuteronomy 32:8-9 are thoroughly analyzed and conclusions are made about Israel's original God, and the original tiers of the pantheon. In the pre-exilic period (and perhaps as early as the 8 th century BC) Israel enjoyed perhaps a lesser pantheon than that in the Ugaritic texts, but certainly it was considerably more extensive than what the biblical record reports. The God of Biblical Israel may not actually be very different from the gods of the neighboring nations, but claiming that he is, is an important part of the rhetoric promoting devotion to that God alone.

Open Journal for Anthropological Studies, 7(2), 57-66, 2023

Hyperborea is one of the most interesting and mysterious aspects in the history of the ancient wo... more Hyperborea is one of the most interesting and mysterious aspects in the history of the ancient world. In contrast with other mythical lands, there is a vast quantity of sources about it. Some authors, mainly poets, think of Hyperborea's existence as plausible, others, mainly scholars, do not. Many sources contradict to each other, of others we have only fragments or preserved accounts from other authors. This study focuses on ancient Greek and Roman authors who (in)directly talked about Hyperborea, starting with Hesiod and finishing with Claudian. Accounts of the Riphean Mountains are also included.

Open Journal for Studies in Philosophy, 7(2), 19-26, 2023

Hyperborea was an otherworldly paradise, a mythical utopia, which was both part of the mythical p... more Hyperborea was an otherworldly paradise, a mythical utopia, which was both part of the mythical past and ever present in Greek literature. The Hyperboreans brought innovations to ancient Greeks culture and help in time of need. This study presents some of their extraordinary abilities and focuses on the most famous Hyperborean-Abaris. He came to Greece as an ambassador led by Apollo's arrow, and some claimed that he could fly on it. Abaris seems always to have been regarded as a spiritual or magical authority. Later we hear of him as a possible founder of sanctuaries and as a seer and prophet-he foretold and cured epidemics, wrote oracles. Whether he was legendary or historical (but even then, heavily overlaid by legend), he is an example of archaic wise man who possessed special knowledge of rituals, divination, and healing.

Open Journal for Studies in Philosophy, 2023, 7(1), 1-8, 2023

The Arimaspea remained for a long time the only detailed report of the further North for the rest... more The Arimaspea remained for a long time the only detailed report of the further North for the rest of the Greek world. It was widely known in the Archaic and Classical periods, especially among the worshipers of Apollo and became a rich new source about Hyperborea. But it belongs to the memory of the worlds of Homer and Hesiod and simply cannot hold its own against the Histories in the contest of ethnographic authority. This study presents Aristeas' alleged mystical journey to Hyperborea, preserved mainly in the accounts of Maximus of Tyre, and compares it to Herodotus' rational mindset.

Open Journal for Studies in History, 2023, 6(2), 33-46, 2023

Even if an almost entirely imaginary vision, the Hyperboreans remain the most productive and pers... more Even if an almost entirely imaginary vision, the Hyperboreans remain the most productive and persistent Northern motif in ancient Greek literature. The Hyperboreans were thought to have traversed Greece during its mythical prehistory and to have left their mark on some of its innermost and sanctified places, thus helping to create, and sometimes to maintain, important values in Greek thought, such as justice, right, moral purity and religiosity. This study presents the roots of the Hyperborean myth, the main Hyperborean characters, Hyperborea's location on maps according to ancient sources, the exploitation of the myth throughout the ages and some contemporary attempts to locate the Hyperborean lands.

Open Journal for Studies in History, 2022, 5(2), 41-50, 2022

Orpheus is one of the greatest historical contributions of the Thracians in European culture. He ... more Orpheus is one of the greatest historical contributions of the Thracians in European culture. He is much more than a talented poet and singer. He is a religious reformer, a priest and a Teacher, who transmits valuable knowledge to humanity. This study presents his life and influence on philosophers such as Pythagoras and Plato, the development of this influence during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and analyzes some Orphic tablets of eschatological nature. The roots of Orphic teachings are so deep, that some missionaries of the new Christian faith had to use the image of Orpheus in their desire to baptize pagans. Orpheus comes to walk the most difficult path-spreading the doctrine of salvation of the human soul, which remains one of the highest achievements of European culture and a hope for its humane future.