The original Slavic religion as a henotheistic religion

Abstract

The aim of the article is to define the general character of the original Slavic religion. The history of the Wars by Procopius of Caesarea, written during the period of the original Slavic beliefs (6th century), in the course of conducted analysis appears as one of the most important sources on this religion, being at the same time a fairly reliable attempt at its general characterization, not based in its foundations on stereotypes but built on the basis of meticulously collected and systematized information from various sources. The description contained in The history of the Wars is supported by later texts, vocabulary and toponymy, originating from various regions of Slavdom, at the same time fitting into the pattern of evolution of religious content observed especially in other Indo-European religions, while being consistent with the religious influence of the steppe peoples, to which the Slavs were subjected. The analysis of sources conducted in the article allowed to define the original Slavic religion as a henotheistic religion with the dominant role of Perun, who was the god of thunder, and thus to question the polytheistic, dualistic or monotheistic concepts opposed to it.