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DOI: 10.46698/VNC.2021.78.39.014

ONCE AGAIN ON THE “ALANIAN” CROSSES

Tuallagov, Alan A.
Izvestia SOIGSI. 2021. IIS 39 (78).
Abstract:
The article is devoted to the so-called “Alan” bronze one-sided crosses found on the territory
of historical Alania, including directly in the Alanian catacomb burials on the territory of modern
North Ossetia. The crosses have figured endings with pair of inscribed medallions. In the medallions
are represented rudely executed masks, and in the center of the crosses is a Crucifix or Our Lady
of Hodegetria. Currently, nine corresponding samples are known. Two of them were clearly mimic
the reliquary crosses. Finds of crosses in complexes allow us to consider the lower chronological
boundary of the existence of crosses of this type among the Alans of the North Caucasus of the XI–
XII centuries. One of the types of underwear crosses from the territory of Ancient Russia is close to
them in form and chronologically. It is assumed that it was the product of a provincial Byzantine
workshop. But directly “Alanian” crosses, as the researchers have established, are comparable to the
unique type of processional cross, originating from Constantinople and also chronologically close. It
should be assumed that the direct samples for the “Alanian” crosses were similar procession crosses,
which would testify to the established special connection with them the Alans, or reliquary crosses,
most apparently, the samples of which remain unknown until now. Other Byzantine and Russian
reliquary crosses may also have an additional influence on the development of their forms. The
processional cross makes it possible to clarify with specific images of roughly depicted characters in
medallions, which were previously defined only as «saints». At the same time, the local conversion
of images on the “Alanian” crosses is undoubted. Some additional observations, among other things,
suggest an ideological convergence between the ideas reflected in the processional crosses and the
traditional Alan solar beliefs.
Keywords: crosses, reliquary crosses, processional crosses, Alania, Byzantium
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