KOPALA, VESHAPI, AND THE GIGANTOMACHIA: THE ETHICS OF DIVINE POWER IN GEORGIAN MYTHOLOGY

NINO GAMBASHIDZE

NINO GAMBASHIDZE Associate professor of New Vision University. Department of Politics and Diplomacy. 11 Nodar Bakhua St., Tbilisi, Georgia. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8084-7185

Abstract

This article investigates the mythological figure of Kopala within the context of Khevsurian and broader Georgian traditions, exploring his role, attributes, and associated sacred sites, such as Veshagurisgori, whose etymology remains uncertain. The study situates Kopala within a semantic and lexicological framework, examining connections between his name and various Georgian nouns, homonyms, surnames, and toponyms. Kopala is depicted as a male deity of might and magic, protector against devils, and a figure associated with mountains, witchcraft, and sacred rituals, suggesting parallels with the ancient Near Eastern cult of Cybele and Sassanian Iranian cult of Mythra.

The article further analyzes key mythological motifs, including the symbolic representation of Veshapi, the moral and ethical codes embedded in Khevsurian myths, and the role of heroes such as Tsiskari and Kviria. It traces comparative mythological patterns with Greek, Hittite, Norse, Hindu, and Mesopotamian traditions, highlighting recurring themes of divine-human interaction, limits of supernatural power, and the regulation of conflict according to unwritten ethical laws. The study also examines theological implications of mythic imagery, such as angels and devils before God, and draws parallels with apocryphal and biblical narratives, including the Testament of Solomon.

By combining linguistic, lexicological, and comparative mythological analyses, this research illuminates the intricate moral, social, and cosmological frameworks underlying Khevsurian myths, revealing how these narratives reflect communal values, ethical codes, and the mythic imagination of the Georgian highlands.

Keywords:

Kopala; Khevsurian mythology; Georgian myths; Veshap/Vishap; Veshagurisgori; comparative mythology; lexicology; sacred sites; divine-human interaction; ethical codes; Cybele; ancient Near East; mythic heroes; Tsiskari; Kviria; Gigantomachia; Solomon’s Testament; cosmogony; ritual practices.