Martyrdom of the Holy Queen Shushanik

Martyrdom of the Holy Queen Shushanik is an early work in Old Georgian by Iakob Tsurtaveli. It is the earliest surviving piece of original Georgian literature, so it is usually approached less as a modern narrative and more as a foundational religious and literary text. The work centers on Queen Shushanik and her steadfastness in faith, without getting into the plot details here.

This book is best suited to readers interested in the beginnings of Georgian literature, early Christian writing, or short classical texts that matter as cultural records as much as as literature. Its value lies in its early place in the tradition and in the tone of its religious devotion, rather than in a broad storyline. If you like ancient, compact works that open a window onto a language and literary tradition in formation, this is a fitting place to start.