Myths and Retellings

The Nart sagas are among the great mythological traditions of the Caucasus, preserving the stories, beliefs, and cultural memory of the Ossetian people. In Tales of the Narts, scholars John Colarusso and Tamirlan Salbiev bring together a rich collection of legends featuring the Narts, a mythical race of formidable warriors whose world is filled with heroic feats, supernatural encounters, fierce rivalries, and complicated family relationships. These stories introduce memorable heroes and heroines, powerful adversaries, giants, monsters, and ancient gods. Although the Narts are celebrated for their courage and strength, they are also capable of jealousy, cruelty, and destructive ambition. Their adventures explore honor, fate, loyalty, conflict, and the consequences of human choices. Rooted in centuries of oral storytelling, the collection offers a window into the cultural heritage of the North Caucasus while revealing intriguing parallels with Greek, Norse, and other ancient mythologies. It is an important introduction to a distinctive literary tradition that has shaped the region’s collective imagination.