AGATHANGELOS

HISTORY

OF THE ARMENIANS

An ornamental engraving depicts a classical lyre or harp. The instrument features decorative curved side arms and vertical strings. At the top of the frame, centered between the arms, is a small relief of a human face or mask. The entire instrument sits on a tiered rectangular base. This lyre is a common motif in Mekhitarist publications, symbolizing the preservation of culture and the arts.

Refers to the island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni, the headquarters of the Mekhitarist Order, a Catholic Armenian congregation known for preserving Armenian literature and history.

original: "ՌՄՁԴ" — The Armenian numerical system uses letters of the alphabet: Ռ (1000) + Մ (800) + Ձ (80) + Դ (4) equals 1824 in the Armenian era, which corresponds to the year 1835 AD.