Bondarenko A. Cult of warrior-beast in the military tradition on territory of Ukraine.

The dissertation explores the cult of the warrior-beast in the Ukrainian lands. Existence of the cult of the warrior-beast has been studied in different ethnic groups that inhabited the territory of modern Ukraine. It is considered the origin and development of these traditions in ancient tribes, development during the Kievan Rus, the elements of the cult in the military traditions of the Ukrainian Cossacks and gradual decline during the XIX century. The work analyzes the elements of military worship the beast-predator in Indo-European ethnic groups (Cimmerians, Scythians, Sarmatians, Geto-Dacian, Eastern Celts, ancient Slavs, Goths, Scandinavians, Balts), peoples of Altaic language family (Avars, Khazars, Kipchaks, Mongols) and Ural language family (Ugric). Were considered mutual influence of this military tradition. Particular attention is paid to the emergence of the cult of the warrior-beast in the ancient Slavs, the possible impacts of military traditions of neighboring ethnic groups. It is noted that the ancient Slavonic cult warrior-beast and totem warrior traditions of Kievan Rus had two components: totem-mythical and actual combat.