PhD
Professor
University of Naples L’Orientale
shurgaia@unior.it
PhD
Professor
University of Naples L’Orientale
shurgaia@unior.it
Tracing the Relationship between the Arabic, Georgian, and Greek Versions of the Bilawhar and Būḏāsaf Legend and Its Earliest Christian Adaptation
This paper examines the Arabic, Georgian, and Greek versions of the Bilawhar and Būḏāsaf legend. It argues that the Georgian version, Balavariani, constitutes the earliest Christian adaptation of the narrative. Furthermore, it challenges the prevailing hypothesis that the shorter recension of Balavariani originated from the longer recension. The study provides a novel perspective on the origins of the two extant Georgian recensions, both of which appear to derive from a common Georgian archetype.
Keywords: Bilawhar and Būḏāsaf, Balavariani, Georgian version, Christian adaptation, archetype