History Of Vardan And The Armenian War (harvard Armenian Texts And Studies ; 5)

Here is a fully annotated translation of an Armenian literary classic, the first made from the critical Armenian text. The sixth-century History of Vardan and the Armenian War describes a revolt of Armenians against the shah of Sasanian Iran in 450-451 in protest against the persecution of Christianity. Elishē uses this occasion to express in more general terms his attitude as a Christian Armenian to the problems of cultural survival and patriotism in a hostile environment. His history profoundly influenced Armenian writers from classical times to the present; its hero, Vardan, remains the ideal figure of a patriot even in Soviet Armenia. Mr. Thomson's introduction places the work in its historical context, while extensive notes identify people and places, explain allusions, and clarify details of the account. About the Author Robert W. Thomson was Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies, Harvard University. Here is a fully annotated translation of an Armenian literary classic, the first made from the critical Armenian text.

The sixth-century History of Vardan and the Armenian War describes a revolt of Armenians against the shah of Sasanian Iran in 450-451 in protest against the persecution of Christianity. Elishē uses this occasion to express in more general terms his attitude as a Christian Armenian to the problems of cultural survival and patriotism in a hostile environment. His history profoundly influenced Armenian writers from classical times to the present; its hero, Vardan, remains the ideal figure of a patriot even in Soviet Armenia. Mr. Thomson's introduction places the work in its historical context, while extensive notes identify people and places, explain allusions, and clarify details of the account.

Table of Contents Introduction Vardan and the Armenian War Chapter 1: The Time Chapter 2: The Course of Events Brought About by the Prince of the East Chapter 3: Concerning the Unity of the Holy Covenant of the Church Chapter 4: Concerning the Secession of the Prince of Siunik and his Companions Chapter 5: For a Second Time the Armenians Oppose the Persian King in War Chapter 6: The Virtue of the Armenians Chapter 7: The Tortures of the Priests Appendix: The Armenian War According to Lazar P’arpets’i Bibliography Index of Scriptural Quotations and Allusions Index Map: The Armenia of Elishē