Knight in the Panther Skin, The

‘The Knight in the Panther Skin’ was written by Shota Rustaveli in the 12th century and is a literary masterpiece on par with Iliad and Odyssey. This epic poem has accompanied the Georgian nation ever since and has helped codify its behaviour. Citizens learnt it by heart and taught their children, brides were given the book as part of their dowry.

Readers interested in medieval literature and philosophy will be intrigued by the 1500 plus verse poem that depicts brave knights and princesses, adventures on sea and land, magical creatures and a code of chivalry that underlies the Georgian national character. There have been many English translations, the first by Marjory Wardrop in 1912. This latest and most up to date version by Lyn Coffin, has been made with the help of prominent Georgian scholars. It combines the beauty of poetic imagery with quick wit and academic precision, and is the first to make use of the same 16-quadrant shairi form, as employed by the author himself.