This work challenges scholarly wisdom concerning the origins of the legends of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. The authors assert that the Arthurian and Holy Grail traditions did not derive from Celtic folklore and mythology, but rather from the folklore and mythology of the peoples of ancient Scythia (modern South Russia and Ukrainian Steppes). The authors argue that this folklore was carried to Britain and Gaul from the Steppes by Alan and Sarmatian tribes during the final days of the Roman Empire. They also demonstrate that several key figures in the legends, including the Fisher King and the Maimed Kings are based on historical individuals who lived during the early years of the 5th century. This book presents an analysis of the origins and developments of the Athurian legends.
This work challenges scholarly wisdom concerning the origins of the legends of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. The authors assert that the Arthurian and Holy Grail traditions did not derive from Celtic folklore and mythology, but rather from the folklore and mythology of the peoples of ancient Scythia (modern South Russia and Ukrainian Steppes). The authors argue that this folklore was carried to Britain and Gaul from the Steppes by Alan and Sarmatian tribes during the final days of the Roman Empire. They also demonstrate that several key figures in the legends, including the Fisher King and the Maimed Kings are based on historical individuals who lived during the early years of the 5th century. This book presents an analysis of the origins and developments of the Athurian legends.
Foreword Acknowledgments Preface Introduction Part I: The Cultural and Historical Background 1.The Northeast Iranians Part II: Figures 2. Arthurian and the Sarmatian Connection 3. Lancelot and the Alan of Lot 4. The Knights and the Narts 5. Women, Water, and Warriors Part III: Themes and Images 6. The Sword and the Stone 7. The Serpent Image Part Iv: The Holy Grail 8. The Holy Grail, the Cauldron of Annwin, and the Nartamongae 9. The AQlans and the Grail 10. The Grail Keepers Conclusions Appendix 1. A Note on Soources Appendix 2. Genealogies Appendix 3. A Reinterpretation of Nennius's Battle List References Cited Index
C. Scott Littleton is professor of Anthropology
and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at occidental College
in Los Angeles, California. He is the author of numerous books and
articles on comparative Indo-European mythology, including the The
New Comparative Anthology:An Anthropological Assesment of the
Theories of GeorgesDumezil (3rg Edition, 1982). He has also
published extensively on Japanese Mythology and Folklore.
Linda A. Malcor is a California-based free-lance
writer and researcher. She holds a Ph.D. in Folklore and Mythology
from UCLA and occassionally teaches and lectures on the Arthurian
legends. In addition to scholarly publications, she writes fantasy
fiction and screenplays.
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