THREE ROMES IN RUSSIAN POLITICAL AND CULTURAL TRADITION: THREAT DISCOURSE AND CULTURAL TRANSFER

Russian statehood is characterized by its longstanding historical existence and sustainable historical continuity, even though there were fundamental changes in the forms of government. Of great importance for preserving Russia's historical steadiness has been the political and cultural tradition connecting generations and epochs. One of its constants is the image of Rome, which is primarily identified with the universal experience of world power and civilization. This article studies the evolution of this image throughout the entire history of Russia-from the Old Russian state to the present time. The sign system of the Russian political and cultural tradition did not tie Rome to a particular location; it could semantically be transferred to other strong centers of power and transposed in time and space. The integral definition of the "Rome" concept also included a certain religious component and was supplemented with cultural value elements. The image of Rome was experienced aesthetically and imparted in the form of art, and it contained a political sentiment which was not always clearly defined. At times "different Romes" could consolidate to produce a complex figurative construct. Transforming along with the political and cultural tradition, Rome was one of the constants essential to the self-identification of the Russian civilization.