This paper endeavours to explore the possibilities of links between the Iranian goddess Anahita and the Dame du Lac (Lady of the Lake) figure of the Arthurian legends of ancient Britannia. The paradigm of the discussion is set through an overview of Celtic-Iranian links in legends, linguistics and culture, as well as the larger frame of Iranian influences upon Europe since pre-Classical times. The arrival of Iranian–speaking (Alano-Sarmatian) Ia-zges warriors into ancient Britannia is outlined, followed by an introduction to Iranian and Arthurian parallels in Goddess and Sword/Power Motifs, which are explored especially with respect to (a) Arthur’s mythical Excalibur sword and the Iranian veneration of the sacred sword and (b) the Dame du Lac (Lady of the Lake) figure of the Arthurian legends and her parallels with Anahita. The paper concludes with the enigma of the late Aubrey Vincent Beardsley’s portrayal of the Arthurian motifs and its close parallels with the Taghe Bostan panel, especially with respect to the similar depictions of the Dame du Lac and Anahita. ~ Kaveh Farrokh (PhD) in ANAHITA amazon.co.uk/Anahita-Ancient-Persian-Goddess-Zoroastrian/dp/1905297300/
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 19:20:03 +0000
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