Prominent Georgian intellectual, Rismag Gordeziani, passes away at the age of 85.
Rismag Gordeziani: A Pioneer in Georgian Classical Studies
Rismag Gordeziani, a distinguished Georgian philologist, educator, and Doctor of Philology, has passed away at the age of 85 [0]. Throughout his illustrious career, Gordeziani made significant contributions to Georgian academia, particularly in the field of classical studies.
Gordeziani's academic journey began at Tbilisi State University's Faculty of Philology, where he graduated [7]. He then went on to serve as an associate professor at TSU's Department of Classical Philology from 1967 to 1976 [8]. His dedication to advancing classical studies in Georgia continued as he became the vice-rector of TSU [2].
During his tenure, Gordeziani led the Laboratory for Mediterranean Cultural Studies and directed the Institute of Classical Philology, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies [1]. His leadership was instrumental in developing classical studies within Georgia, strengthening the country’s academic engagement with ancient Greek and Roman languages and literature [1].
Gordeziani's scholarly output was prolific, with over 150 works to his name [1]. He authored 24 books [3], earning TSU's first scientific prize [4]. His works solidified his position among Georgia's most influential academics [6].
In recognition of his contributions, Gordeziani was honoured with the Order of Honor by the Hellenic Republic [9]. In 2021, he was named an Honorary Citizen of Tbilisi [5].
Today, scholars like Georgia Irby continue to expand Georgian classical scholarship with interdisciplinary approaches. Irby, who specializes in ancient Greek and Roman science, explores how distant ancient civilizations influenced each other [5].
While Georgian classical scholarship may not yet be widely known internationally, the foundations laid by scholars like Gordeziani provide a strong base for future academic growth in this field. The legacy of Rismag Gordeziani lives on, inspiring a new generation of scholars to delve deeper into the rich world of classical studies.
