Armenia and the Crusades: Tenth to Twelfth Centuries: The Chronicle of Matthew of Edessa: Translated from the Original Armenian with a Commentary and Introduction

This is a translation of the Chronicle of 12th-century Armenian historian, Matthew of Edessa. The Chronicle, which covers the period from 925 AD to 1162 AD, deals with events in Armenia and upper Mesopotamia. It also refers to events in the Byzantine Empire and those conquered by the Crusaders. The introduction to the book discusses the historian's life, work and attitudes. "The clash of cultures, peoples, and religions in the Near East is dramatically portrayed in this primary source of major importance. Matthew of Edessa, an Armenian monk, was eyewitness to the leading events of the period, such as the first appearance of the Turks in the Near East, the campaigns of the early Crusaders, and the massive struggle for domination that characterized relations between Byzantium, the Latin West, the Arabs, and the Turks. Matthew was also aware of the position of other nations, such as the Armenians, Georgians, and Syrians. Upon the death of Matthew the narration was continued by another Armenian monk, Gregory the Priest." "As an Armenian Christian, Matthew of Edessa welcomes the arrival of the Crusaders from the West, seeing in them the saviors of the local populations from the domination of imperial Constantinople on the one hand, and the death and destruction brought about by the Turkish invasions on the other. In the course of events, however, Matthew finds that all peoples encompass good and evil, arrogance and compassion, understanding and intolerance." "The fall of the Armenian kingdoms of Ani and Vaspurakan, the capture of Jerusalem by the Crusaders, and the decisive battle between East and West at Mantskert (Manzikert) are some of the striking events vividly portrayed by this medieval chronicler, who makes every effort to provide an accurate and impartial account for the benefit of posterity."--Jacket This work is a translation of the Chronicle of the 12th-century Armenian historian, Matthew of Edessa. The Chronicle, which covers the period from 952 A.D. to 1162 A.D., principally deals with events taking place in Armenia and upper Mesopotamia, and also presents many references to major events in the Byzantine Empire and those areas conquered by the early crusaders. The author's aim is to explicate those parts of the Chronicle which are not clear; to elucidate the text by means of historical, geographical, bibliographical, chronological, and other references; and to compare and contrast the narration of events in the Chronicle with that of other historians, both contemporary and non-contemporary. The introduction discusses the historian's life, work, and attitudes. Co-published with the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research. Title page......Page 2 ISBN 0-8191-8953-7......Page 3 Dedication......Page 5 Table of Contents......Page 7 Foreword......Page 9 Preface......Page 11 Acknowledgements......Page 15 Introduction......Page 16 TEXT......Page 32 Part I ......Page 34 Part II......Page 98 Part III......Page 196 Continuation by Gregory the Priest......Page 256 NOTES AND COMMENTARY......Page 296 Part I......Page 298 Part II......Page 322 Part III......Page 350 Continuation by Gregory the Priest......Page 366 Glossary and Maps......Page 376 Select Bibliography......Page 380 Index......Page 382