The priests of antiquity: a scientific meeting of the historical club was held at KBSU

The role of priests and clergymen in the development of civilization was the topic of the meeting of the historical and patriotic club «On the paths of KLIO» of the Social and Humanitarian Institute of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H. M. Berbekov. The meeting was held under the guidance of Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Russian History Pyotr Kuzminov as part of the Science Week on February 7 in an online format. Muslim Tamazov, director of the SGI KBSU, congratulated the club members on the Day of Russian Science, expressing the hope that in the future they will become famous scientists and conquer the most daring scientific heights. Islam Pashtov, a 4th year student of the «History» direction, introduced the topic of the meeting. He recalled that the priesthood arose as a result of the desire of an ancient person to find an explanation for various natural phenomena and had a huge impact on the development and formation of culture, education and medicine. The priest performed the function of an intermediary between the higher powers and the community.

The existence of the priesthood as a class became known from the history of Mesopotamia and Egypt. These states already had a powerful and highly organized priesthood. The same was common in Polynesia, West Africa, New Mexico and Florida, but the priesthood was developed here at a lower level. The students of the “History” direction Arianna Nagoeva, Leyla Atmurzaeva, Alina Sherieva, Sabina Khaupsheva, Ramina Pekova, Laryana Tengizova supplemented the topic, telling in their reports about the place of the priesthood in the ancient civilizations of different countries — Babylon, Ancient China, Ancient India, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Central America. Arina Kunasheva spoke about the Adyghe beliefs and the servants of the ancient cult, noting that the cults of the pagan pantheon of the Adyghe gods reflected the desires and aspirations of the people, associated primarily with agriculture and cattle breeding — the main occupations of the medieval Adyghes. The veneration of the forces of nature was of great importance among the Circassians. Turning to nature, a person thereby emphasized his dependence on it and tried to propitiate many natural phenomena with various offerings and cult rites. The Adyghe early medieval pantheon of pagan gods was diverse, — emphasized Arina Kunasheva.

About the activities of the Magi — representatives of the priesthood of Ancient Russia, the report was presented by Dinara Bashieva. In the conditions of the emerging and strengthening statehood of Ancient Russia, the class of priests had to not only accumulate archaic legends and myths, but also master new forms of culture with which the Russian nobility came into contact during annual long trips to Bulgaria, Byzantium, and the lands of the Caliphate. It should be noted two important elements of world culture, which can be correlated with the class of priests. This is, firstly, writing, and secondly, knowledge of the Greek language. It is important to note that the pagan Magi did not remain aloof from the perception of these new components of culture for Russia. Thanks to the priestly class, practical experience was accumulated, the beginnings of applied sciences, diplomacy were created, some knowledge retains its significance in modern culture. Thus, the wise men and priests — the keepers of sacred traditions — played a positive role in the history and culture of their peoples and states, — said Dinara Bashieva.

Summing up the results of the meeting of the club «On the paths of KLIO», its leader, Professor Pyotr Kuzminov, said that in ancient civilizations the priesthood occupied a significant place in the development of states. Being very influential, in the heyday of the culture of the priesthood, civilizations reached significant heights in science, art, and the ritual part of religions. However, at all stages of the development of ancient civilizations, the priesthood periodically abused power. The fact is that the complex of priestly ritual manipulations, which aim to influence the collective consciousness, can be called social magic, its main core is the sincere belief of the masses in its effectiveness. And management through faith is the basis of priestly power,” summarized Pyotr Kuzminov. The next meeting of the club «On the paths of CLIO» is scheduled for the second half of March. History students expressed their intention to make a scientific assessment of the socio-economic system of modern Russia.