Between Islam and Byzantium : Aght`amar and the Visual Construction of Medieval Armenian Rulership

Between Islam and Byzantium provides the first complete analysis of the development of the visual expression of medieval Armenian rulership during the years 884-1045 CE. During this period, the Armenian rulers had loosened the ties that subjected them to the Arab caliphate, but by its end the Byzantine empire had instead become dominant in the region. The influences exerted by these external, opposing powers are a major theme in this book. Lynn Jones re-contextualizes the existing royal art and architecture by integrating analyses of contemporary accounts of ceremonial and royal deeds with fresh examinations of the surviving monuments, of which the church at Aght`amar, with its famous carvings, is the prime example. Setting the art and architecture of the period more clearly in its original context, the author reveals the messages these buildings, sculptures and manuscripts were intended to convey by those who created and viewed them. This study provides a new perspective on the complex interactions between a broad range of nationalities, ethnicities and religions, shedding fresh light on the nature of medieval identity. It adds to a growing literature on the eastern neighbours of Byzantium, and opens up new issues on the relationship between the Byzantine empire and the Islamic caliphate in the medieval period. Between Islam And Byzantium Provides The First Complete Analysis Of The Development Of The Visual Expression Of Medieval Armenian Rulership During The Years 884-1045 Ce. During This Period, The Armenian Rulers Had Loosened The Ties That Subjected Them To The Arab Caliphate, But By Its End The Byzantine Empire Had Instead Become Dominant In The Region. The Influences Exerted By These External, Opposing Powers Are A Major Theme In This Book. Lynn Jones Re-contextualizes The Existing Royal Art And Architecture By Integrating Analyses Of Contemporary Accounts Of Ceremonial And Royal Deeds With Fresh Examinations Of The Surviving Monuments, Of Which The Church At Aght'amar, With Its Famous Carvings, Is The Prime Example.setting The Art And Architecture Of The Period More Clearly In Its Original Context, The Author Reveals The Messages These Buildings, Sculptures And Manuscripts Were Intended To Convey By Those Who Created And Viewed Them. An Introduction To The Historical Context -- Ceremonial -- Bagratuni Royal Portraits -- Artsrunikʹ Royal Portraits : The Palace And The Palace Church Of The Holy Cross At Aghtʹamar -- Royal Deeds -- Conclusion : Methods And Meanings Of Transmission. Lynn Jones. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 129-139) And Index. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Contents 6 List of figures 8 List of abbreviations 12 Acknowledgements 14 A note on translation 16 1 An introduction to the historical context 18 2 Ceremonial 30 3 Bagratuni royal portraits 52 4 Artsrunik‘ royal portraits: the palace and the palace church of the Holy Cross at Aght‘amar 70 5 Royal deeds 114 6 Conclusion: methods and meanings of transmission 142 Bibliography 146 Index 158 Aght`amar and the Visual Construction of Medieval Armenian Rulership Provides analysis of the development of the visual expression of medieval Armenian rulership during the years 884-1045 CE. Setting the art and architecture of the period more clearly in its original context, this title reveals the messages these buildings, sculptures and manuscripts were intended to convey by those who created and viewed them.