ON THE WAY TO THE GREAT EASTERN UNION: PERSIAN MOTIFS IN THE WORKS OF K.N. LEONTIEV

Abstract

Outstanding Russian writer, philosopher and diplomat K.N. Leontiev (1831–1891) is now one of the most quoted conservative publicists. However, there are still many unexplored aspects of his legacy. Thus, the topics “Leontiev and Turkey”, “Leontiev about the Greeks and South Slavs” overshadowed the topic indicated in the title of this report. Like N.Ya. Danilevsky and at the same time Leontiev spoke about the historical need for the formation of a union of states that could resist the destructive tendencies of Western civilization. But unlike Danilevsky, Leontiev included in his Great Eastern Union not only countries professing Orthodox Christianity, but also Turkey, Persia, India and China. He looked at ancient history not from a European point of view. For example, in the history of the Greco-Persian wars, he was rather on the side of Persia, noting the discipline and sacrifice of the Persians. Already in the first years of diplomatic service in the Turkish Empire, through educated Turks, he became acquainted with examples of Persian poetry and even intended to study Farsi. This interest was reflected in his artistic work: in the cycle of “oriental stories” and especially in the novel “Odysseus Polychroniades”. In his historiosophical work “Byzantism and Slavism”, when considering the “historical age” of cultures and civilizations, Leontiev pays great attention to Persia. A deeper understanding of the Eastern Union project dates back to the 1880s, so we can say that the Persian theme occupied the philosopher throughout his life. The report is intended for the first time to summarize all cases of Leontiev’s contact with Iranian studies.

Extended abstract:

Konstantin Nikolaevich Leontiev (1831–1891), an outstanding Russian writer, thinker, and diplomat, is one of the most frequently cited figures in the conservative intellectual tradition. However, many aspects of his legacy remain underexplored. While topics such as “Leontiev and Turkey” and “Leontiev on the Greeks and the South Slavs” have received considerable attention, the theme of his concept of the Great Eastern Union, particularly the inclusion of Persia, has yet to be the subject of a dedicated scholarly study. This article addresses this gap, offering a novel exploration of the formation, characteristics, and significance of Leontiev’s geopolitical vision, with a focus on Persia’s role in his proposed union.

The completion of the academic edition of Leontiev’s works and letters, published by the Institute of Russian Literature (IRLI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, provides a comprehensive basis for systematizing his geopolitical views and tracing his engagement with Iranian studies. The article draws not only on Leontiev’s well-known historiosophic works but also on his novels, novellas, and personal correspondence. Leontiev’s concept of the Great Eastern Union is compared with the ideas of his older contemporary, Nikolai Yakovlevich Danilevsky, as articulated in the latter’s seminal work *Russia and Europe*. Like Danilevsky, Leontiev argued for the historical necessity of forming a union of states centered in Constantinople, capable of countering the destructive tendencies of Western civilization. However, unlike Danilevsky, Leontiev expanded this union to include not only Orthodox Christian nations but also Turkey and Persia. He even ventured prophetic remarks about the potential inclusion of India and China, demonstrating a broader, more inclusive vision of Eurasian unity.

Leontiev’s perspective on history and civilization was deeply influenced by his diplomatic service in the Ottoman Empire, where he interacted with educated Turks and colleagues who were graduates of the Training Department of Oriental Languages at the Asian Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During this time, he developed an appreciation for Persian culture, encountering Persian poetry both in its original form (noting its aesthetic qualities) and in translation. He even expressed a desire to learn the Persian language. This engagement with Persian culture is reflected in his literary works, particularly in the cycle of “Oriental novels” and the novel *Odysseus Polychroniades* (1872–1878). For instance, in the story *Pembe* (1869), a young Albanian bey, to whom Leontiev attributed some of his own characteristics, is depicted as familiar with the Persian language.

In his historiosophic work *Byzantism and Slavdom* (1872–1874), Leontiev examines the “historical age” of cultures and civilizations, paying significant attention to Persia. He revisits the theme of the Greco-Persian wars, arguing that the Persians, through the spirit of their statehood, exerted a greater influence on the Greeks and, indirectly, on the Romans than the Greeks did on them. Leontiev further identifies Persian influence in Byzantine civilization, extending this line of thought to suggest its impact on Russian civilization as well. This analysis underscores his belief in the interconnectedness of Eastern and Western historical trajectories.

The article concludes by highlighting the enduring presence of the Persian theme in Leontiev’s life and works. Through a series of examples and accompanying commentary, it demonstrates that Persia occupied a significant place in his intellectual and creative endeavors. Leontiev’s inclusion of Persia in his vision of the Great Eastern Union, his appreciation for Persian culture, and his reflections on Persian historical influence reveal a thinker who transcended Eurocentric perspectives and sought to integrate the East into his geopolitical and cultural worldview.