History of the Armenians

To Bishop Hov Danielian

TO THE READERS OF THIS VOLUME

There are three questions regarding the history written by P'awstos Buzand Faustus of Byzantium: first, from what nation he came; second, in what language he wrote; and third, whether his book has reached us complete or incomplete.

In the beginning of the sixth book (page 268), he promises to provide information about himself at the conclusion of his histories. In the fifth chapter of that same book (page 273), he tells of a certain Bishop P'awstos, and in the following chapter, he says, "There was a brother of Bishop P'awstos... and they were of Greek original: "Հոռոմ" (Hrom/Romans/Byzantines) lineage." If one takes this passage to be the historian speaking of himself, his nation becomes clear. However, some have speculated that because he promised to write about himself at the end, the person mentioned earlier might not be he. Yet, other evidence is at hand. For this same...