The following historical sources, translated into English from the critical editions of classical Armenian texts by Dr. Robert Bedrosian, are now available in soft-cover xerographic reproductions at the following prices (postage and handling included):
This work describes episodically and in epic style events from the military, socio-cultural, and political life of fourth century Armenia, from the period of king Xosrov II Kotak (330-39) to king Varazdat (374-78). The author was a fervent supporter of the ambitions of the powerful naxarar (lordly) house of Mamikonean. P'awstos' History is a gem of early Armenian literature, invaluable for historians, anthropologists, and linguists. Information provided on Byzantium and Iran in the fourth century makes it a valuable source for Middle Eastern history generally. 303 pp. $55.00
The first book of this three-book work begins with information concerning the division of Armenia between the Byzantine and Sasanian empires (387), and describes the invention of the Armenian alphabet and the abolition of the monarchy in the Iranian-controlled eastern sector (428) to the death of kat'oghikos Sahak (439). Book II describes the Armenian uprising of 450/51 (the Battle of Awarayr) led by Vardan Mamikonean; while Book III describes another anti-Iranian uprising led by Vardan's nephew, Vahan Mamikonean, and known as the Vahaneanc' (481-84). The work is a panegyric to the Mamikonean family generally and especially to the rebels Vardan and his nephew Vahan, who was Ghazar's childhood friend and life-long patron. In addition to being our major source on military, political, and religious developments in fifth century Armenia, Ghazar's History is also a major untapped source on the history of fifth century Iran. 363 pp. $65.00
This work is a document of special importance for the study of Armenia and the Middle East in the 6-7th centuries. While the author focuses his attention primarily on Armenia's lay and clerical naxarars (lords), he also provides extensive and valuable information on events taking place in the neighboring societies of Byzantium, Iran, and among the Arabs. Byzantinists will find factual and anecdotal information on the reigns of emperors Maurice, Theodosius, Phocas, Heraclius and his successors, to Constans II (641-68), including their wars against Iran in the east and the Goths in the west. Iranists will find a wealth of information on the reigns of shahs Peroz, Valas, Kawad, Xosrov I Anushirvan, Hormizd IV, Xosrov II Aparvez, Kawad II Sheroe, Artashir, queen Boran and Yazdigerd III (d. 652). Sebeos' account of the rebellion of Vahram Choben and his description of the last days of the Sasanian dynasty have the authenticity of a contemporary. In addition, the author narrates the birth and rise of Islam, and provides unusual information on Jewish nationalism, the Khazars of the north Caucasus, and the Kushans on Iran's northeastern border. Translated from the Patkanean edition (St. Petersburg,1879). 186 pp. $35.00
This work is a short "historical" romance in five parts, purporting to describe significant events occurring in the district of Taron (in southwestern historical Armenia, to the west of Lake Van) during the Byzantine-Iranian wars when the shah of Iran was Xosrov II (590-628). The History describes the actions of five generations of Mamikoneans (Taron's princely house) in defending and avenging the district. The History of Taron remains the sole extant example of an original medieval romance in Armenian, and contains a rare example of medieval Armenian folk poetry, another genre for which few specimens exist. Composed sometime during the 9-12th centuries, this work may have preceded other greater Middle Eastern epics of the same period: the Byzantine Digenes Akritas, the Iranian Shahname, the Armenian David of Sasun, and the Turkish Danishmendname and Book of Dede Korkut.80 pp. $15.00
Aristakes Lastivertc'i was an eleventh century Armenian cleric and historian. His History Regarding the Sufferings Occasioned by Foreign Peoples Living Around Us was written between 1072 and 1079, and describes the events of 1000-1071, including information on Byzantine-Armenian relations, the Saljuq invasions, and the T'ondrakac'i movement in the Armenian Church. The work opens with a poetic summary of the disasters befalling the Armenian people in the eleventh century. Subsequent chapters describe Byzantine attempts to subjugate the Armeno-Georgian district of Tayk'/Tao (1000-1022); conflicts and coooperation among the Armenian and Georgian princes; and the Saljuq invasions from 1047 to the capture of the city of Ani (1064) and the battle of Manzikert (1071). The author's information confirms and supplements what is known from Byzantine, Arabic and Iranian sources. Translated from the Yuzbashyan edition (Erevan, 1963). 190 pp. $35.00
This work is a translation of the medieval Armenian version of the Georgian Chronicle. It describes the history of Iberia/Georgia, Armenia's northern neighbor, from legendary times to the 12th century. It is a rich source of unique information on such topics as Caucasian ethnography, Armeno-Georgian relations, the history of Iran, the history of the Jewish communities of Georgia and their role in the Christianization of the country, the birth of Islam and the coming of the Saljuqs. Translated from the T'iroyan edition (Venice, 1884). 120 pp. $30.00
Gandzakets'i's History is a primary source for the study of the Armenian highlands in the 13th century. This lengthy work, which has survived in 67 chapters, is divided thematically into several sections. Part one is a summary of Armenian church and political history from the 4th through the 12th century. This section is based on earlier Armenian sources, many of which have survived. The second section describes political and military events in the 12th century, both in Eastern (or Caucasian) Armenia and in the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia on the Mediterranean. In chapter 11 and subsequent chapters, Kirakos described the events of his own day, the period of the Zak'arids, the Mongol invasions and domination and their impact on the Armenians and other peoples of the Middle East. As the author himself was aware, this was by far the most important part of his history, and he devoted much of the work to it. Kirakos was eminently qualified to write about 13th century Armenia. An intelligent man trained by an intellectual such as Vanakan vardapet, the author was familiar with church organization and problems, with prominent contemporary churchmen and their historical writings. He was acquainted with important Armenian naxarars (lords) such as prince Prosh Xaghbakean, who participated in the Mongol conquest of Baghdad in 1258/59 and narrated to Kirakos what he had seen and heard, and prince Grigor Mamikonean, who informed Kirakos what he had heard from a Mongol noble about Chingiz-Khan. His detailed information about members of the Zak'arid family derives in part from Prosh, himself a Zak'arid relation. King Het'um I of Cilicia served as one informant. Furthermore, during his months of captivity by the Mongols, Kirakos served as a secretary, writing and reading letters, and he learned Mongolian. In chapter 32 of his History Kirakos Gandzakets'i has left us a priceless treasure, a lexicon of some 55 Mongolian terms with their Armenian equivalents, one of the earliest monuments of the Mongol language. Such an individual knew well not only the workings of his own society, but clearly understood aspects of the society of Armenia's conquerors and new masters. Translated from the critical edition of K.A.Melik-Ohanjanyan (Erevan, 1961). 340 pp. $60.00
This work describes events taking place on the Armenian highlands and in Georgia during the late 14th through early 15th centuries. The History begins with the devastations wreaked on the district of Siwnik' by the Mongols of the Golden Horde from the north Caucasus in 1386. These invasions were made upon a society which already had been gravely weakened by the preceding decades of warfare and persecution from Turkmen, Kurdish and Ottoman groups now resident in the area. The Turco-Mongol invasions of Timur-Leng of 1387, 1388, 1395, 1401 and 1402 on numerous districts of eastern and western historical Armenia and Georgia are described with the blood-curdling immediacy of a terrified eyewitness. The account is more detailed yet for the first threee decades of the 15th century, describing the impact on Armenian economic, intellectual and religious life of this dismal and nightmarish period of mass exterminations, mass deportations, and the forced and voluntary apostasy of the population. Translated from the Shahnazarean edition (Paris,1860).110 pp. $20.00
P'awstos Buzandac'i's History of the Armenians | 55.00 |
Ghazar P'arbec'i's History of the Armenians | 65.00 |
Sebeos' History | 35.00 |
John Mamikonean's History of Taron | 15.00 | Aristakes Lastivertc'i's History | 35.00 |
Kirakos Gandzakets'i's History of the Armenians | 60.00 |
T'ovma Metsobets'i's History of Tamerlane and His Successors | 20.00 |
The Georgian Chronicle | 30.00 |
Make checks payable to:
Sources of the Armenian Tradition
23 Washington Street
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740-5931
New Jersey residents add 6% sales tax.
Foreign orders add 20% total in U.S. currency.