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Journals / Dilbilim / 2025 / Sayı: 45

Onomastic Semantization and Epistemelogical Limits of the Grifin Figure in the Context of Eastern Roman and Altai Interactions

Doğu Roma ve Altay Teması Bağlamında Grifin Ögesinin Onomastik Semantizasyonu ve Epistemelojik Sınırları

Ali Ekber Sayın(ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-6164-6946
Journal
Dilbilim
Pages
12–28
Publication Date
2025-11-20
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In this context, the Grifin is investigated not merely as an iconographic motif in later periods, but as a discursive construct instrumental in articulating the worldview and border consciousness of the ancient world.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Grifins (Γρυφοι) are frequently depicted in ancient texts as hybrid creatures combining features of a lion and an eagle.
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Key Findings & Data:These figures are characterized not only by their physical form but also by their mytho-geographical association with Central Asia, where they are often described as guardians of gold deposits.
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Conclusion & Impact:In this context, the Grifin is investigated not merely as an iconographic motif in later periods, but as a discursive construct instrumental in articulating the worldview and border consciousness of the ancient world.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Grifin · Altay · Doğu Roma

Abstract

Grifins (Γρυφοι) are frequently depicted in ancient texts as hybrid creatures combining features of a lion and an eagle. These figures are characterized not only by their physical form but also by their mytho-geographical association with Central Asia, where they are often described as guardians of gold deposits. Closely linked to the Grifins in these narratives are other distant, liminal peoples such as the one-eyed Arimaspians (Ἀριμασποί) and the Hyperboreans (‘Υπερβόρε(ι)οι), who are frequently portrayed in symbolic or cosmological conflict with them. This study examines the structural and semantic dimensions of the Grifin motif as it appears in Eastern Roman literature and its classical antecedents, with a particular focus on the thematic connections—both direct and indirect—established with the Altai cultural sphere. Moreover, it explores the processes of onomastic semantization that shape the relationship between ethnonyms, mythical beings, and imaginary geographies. These processes, and the epistemelogical boundaries they reveal, are analyzed through an interdisciplinary lens incorporating classical philology, historical geography, iconography, and paleomythology. In this context, the Grifin is investigated not merely as an iconographic motif in later periods, but as a discursive construct instrumental in articulating the worldview and border consciousness of the ancient world.

Özet

Grifinler (Γρυφοι), antik metinlerde çoğunlukla yarı aslan-yarı kartal bileşik yaratıklar olarak tasvir edilmişlerdir. Bu f igürler yalnızca bedensel özellikleriyle değil, aynı zamanda mitik-coğrafi bağlamda Orta Asya'da konumlanan ve altın yataklarını koruyan varlıklar olarak da anlatılagelmiştir. Grifinlerin hemen yanında, sıklıkla tek gözlü Arimasplar (Ἀριμασποί) ve Hiperboreyler (‘Υπερβόρε(ι)οι) gibi uzak, sınır-ötesi halklar yer almakta; bu etnonim figürleri çoğu zaman grifinler ile bir tür simgesel ya da kozmolojik çatışma içerisinde betimlenmektedir. Bu çalışmada, Doğu Roma edebiyatında ve onun klasik temellerinde yer alan grifin anlatısının yapısal ve semantik özellikleri incelenmekte, özellikle Altay kültür coğrafyası ile kurulan dolaylı ve doğrudan tematik bağlara odaklanılmaktadır. Bununla birlikte, etnonimler, mitik varlıklar ve hayalî coğrafyalar arasındaki ilişkiyi şekillendiren onomastik semantizasyon süreçleri değerlendirilmektedir. Bu süreçlerin ardındaki epistemelojik sınırlar, filoloji, tarih, mitoloji gibi disiplinlerarası verilere yardımcı olması açısından da değerlendirilmelidir. Aynı bağlamda grifin figürünün, yalnızca ilerki dönemlerdeki ikonografik bir motif değil, aynı zamanda antik dünyanın dünya görüşünü ve sınır algısını inşa eden söylemsel bir yapının nasıl oluştuğu araştırılmaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Sayın, A. E. (2025). Onomastic Semantization and Epistemelogical Limits of the Grifin Figure in the Context of Eastern Roman and Altai Interactions. Dilbilim, Sayı: 45, 12–28. https://doi.org/10.26650/jol.2025.1758792

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