Indo-European tripartite functions

The concept of the Indo-European tripartite functions was developed by Georges Dumézil. Its work shows that the mental diagrams of all the people Indo-Europeans, that they are Greek, Armenian, Celtes, Indo-iraniens, Baltes, Germains, Latin Slaves or , present a common feature: the organization according to three paramount functions. One primarily finds this structure in the myths, but also in the narrative structures, and the Social organization.

  • the first function, known as sacerdotal Function, related to is crowned.

Also named sovereign function , one finds it with the Druide S Celts, the caste of the Brahmane S Indians, or the Roman Flamines. This function corresponds to the divinities related to the magic.

  • the second function, known as warlike Function, is related to defense of the people.

One can regard it as gathering what one would call the Noblesse of sword , represented, for example, by the medieval knight S , the warriors, soldiers. One finds this function in the second caste in India: the Kshatriya S. It is within this function that one finds also the principle of the Chief, of the King, the Râja. Moreover, rising from that, in the ancient Rome, to be emperor, it is necessary to have been Senator, and for this reason to be Roman citizen - what inevitably does not mean to be inhabitant of Rome, but especially to enjoy the statute of free man of the Roman Empire, therefore to have the right to vote. To be Citizen, it is necessary to have been soldier, therefore warlike. This function corresponds to the divinities related to the physical force.

  • the third function, known as producing Function, is related to fruitfulness.

It gathers the farmers, stockbreeders, craftsmen, and the tradesmen. It corresponds to the third caste of India: the Vaisya, and with the divinities related on peace, the love and prosperity.

It is by the means of the compared Mythologie that Dumézil clarified the existence of such a diagram. For example, it is notable that the oldest triad (together of three higher gods) of the Roman Mythologie, known as triad précapitoline , includes/understands Jupiter, Mars and Quirinus, which clearly occupy each one one of the three functions.

Sources

  • Georges Dumézil, Myth and Épopée I. II. & III. , Gallimard, Paris, 1995:

    • the Ideology of the three functions in the epopees of the Indo-European people
    • Standard epic Indo-European: a hero, a wizard, a king
    • Roman Stories

Related articles

External bonds

  • http://home.page.ch/pub/henaro@vtx.ch/dumezil.html

  • http://www.systerofnight.net/religion/html/indo_europeens.html

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