Abkhazia in the Persian poetry of the Middle Ages

Abstract

According to the historical sources of the Middle Ages, „Abkhazia“ is referred to as the entire territory of Georgia. As a counterpart for the Eastern region, „Abkhazi“ is ethnically the same as a Georgian, as „Abkhazi“ means „Georgia“. In written sources and historical literature, particularly in the poetry of the Middle Ages, the use of the term „Abkhazi“ is not limited to one specific context but encompasses the historical and geographical references associated with it. Authors and poets use this term to convey the history and geographical connections between Georgia and Iran. In the literary works of Shirvan, a notable representative of the literary school of Shirvan, the term „Abkhazi“ appears and is consistently used alongside its association with the heart and soul of Georgia. Based on the example of the dialect of the Khakan region, it is evident that the spoken language in Abkhazia is Georgian. The article provides examples of translations from the poetry of the Middle Ages, specifically in Georgian, to demonstrate how the term „Abkhazi“ was employed in the context of Georgian political unity.