STUDIA MYTHOLOGICA SLAVICA | Znanstvenoraziskovalni center SAZU

STUDIA MYTHOLOGICA SLAVICA 13, 2010

Zmago Šmitek:

From the Ancient Slavic Svarožič/Radogost to the Slovene Kresnik

Abstract

The mythological figure of the god Svarožič/Radogost is known from relatively recent sources dating from the period from the eleventh to fourteenth century. These sources suggest that eastern and western Slavs venerated him as the deity of fire, Sun and war, and ethnological and linguistic data point to his presence in the territory of southern Slavs as well. Since the name and the function of Svarožič/Radogost is so widespread, a more detailed explanation is needed, based both on the etymological research of Francois Cornillot and an analysis of Slovene folk songs about a young prince joining his worshippers during midsummer festivities. The Slovene oral tradition of the royal hero Kresnik can also be included within this conceptual framework.

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