THE TURKIC EPIC AND ANCIENT IRANIAN LITERATURE: POINTS OF CONTACT

Abstract

The article examines the problem of interaction between Turkic epic and ancient Iranian literature, revealing points of contact between these two major cultural traditions. Special attention is paid to the influence of Turkic tribes on the formation of the literary and cultural space of ancient Iran. The author emphasizes that many ancient Persian written monuments can be viewed as the result of complex processes of cultural assimilation and mutual influence that developed over many centuries.

Using the material of the book heroic epic "Qaharman Qatil," widely known among the Tatars, the author identifies the features of the synthesis of Turkic and Iran-Persian epic traditions. Through analysis of plot lines, motifs, and images, the author demonstrates that the Tatar version of the epic preserves numerous parallels with ancient Iranian sources, including the famous "Qaharmannama." Comparative analysis shows that the commonality of themes, typology of heroes, structure of epic episodes, and features of artistic language testify to deep historical connections between the literary traditions of the two peoples.

The article notes that Turkic tribes, actively interacting with the Iranian-speaking population of the Near East, made a significant contribution to shaping the cultural character of the region. This is manifested in language and terminology, as well as in the nature of descriptions of military culture, daily life, worldview, and religious beliefs. The author emphasizes that "Kaharman Qatil" is not merely an adaptation of an ancient Iranian plot, but an independent monument of Tatar written tradition that has absorbed elements of Turkic mythology, folklore, and historical memory.

One of the key aspects of the research is the comparison of heroic images, particularly the figure of Shah Hushan, with characters from the Avesta and other ancient Iranian texts. The conducted analysis confirms that the Tatar dastan preserves numerous archaic motifs dating back to ancient Iranian mythological and epic representations, making the work a valuable source for studying processes of cultural synthesis.

Thus, the article reveals the significance of Turkic-Iranian literary interconnections, emphasizes the contribution of Turkic peoples to the development of written culture of the Ancient East, and demonstrates the potential for further research in the field of comparative study of epic and ancient literature.