The History of Armenia remains the primary early account of the Armenian people, offering a comprehensive narrative from its origins through the fifth century. Attributed to the historian Moses of Chorene, this foundational text serves as a unique repository of oral traditions, myths, and early records that had previously existed only in spoken form before the widespread adoption of written records.
Background and Education
Born in 410 in the village of Harman or Khoreah, Moses lived during a transformative era for the Kingdom of Armenia. He identified as a student of Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, and Sahak Partev. Following the Council of Ephesus in 431, he traveled to Alexandria, Egypt, to master Hellenic literary arts. He spent seven years abroad before returning to a political landscape that had shifted significantly, leaving him to live in seclusion for several decades due to the hostile climate created by Sasanian Persian influence.
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His return to public life was facilitated by Catholicos Gyut, who discovered the scholar during a chance encounter and recognized him as a former peer. After being identified, Moses was appointed as a bishop in Bagrevand. This clerical position placed him in contact with Prince Sahak of the Bagratuni dynasty, who commissioned the writing of a formal national history to preserve the biographies of Armenian kings and the origins of influential families.
Literary Legacy
Completed around 474, the History of Armenia sought to document the bravery and history of a people frequently conquered by foreign powers. The work is valued by philologists for its preservation of pre-Christian oral traditions, including the romance of Artashes and Satenik and the mythology surrounding the god Vahagn. As a member of the Armenian Apostolic Church, he is recognized as one of the Holy Translators for his contributions to the language and historical canon.
Fast facts
- Born: 0410, Harman/Khoreah
- Died: 0490, Sasanian Armenia
- Primary Field: Historiography
- Notable Work: History of Armenia
- Religious Affiliation: Armenian Apostolic Church
- Occupation: Historian, translator, philologist
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Armenia
Questions readers ask
Why is he called the father of Armenian history?
He is credited with writing the first universal history of Armenia that attempts to trace the nation from its earliest origins to the fifth century.
What is the primary significance of his history?
It provides unique material regarding oral traditions and myths that predated the conversion of Armenia to Christianity.
Achievements
- Notable work: History of Armenia
