Two Armenian Historians: Kirakos of Gandzak and Ukhtanes of Edessa

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INTRODUCTION.

Another grave reproach that one can address, in general, to all these historians, is a frank and irreconcilable hatred, a fanatical outpouring, I dare say, against the fourth ecumenical council, that of Chalcedon, and against its doctrines: a hatred which is explained in certain respects, which one could not however approve, especially in the form in which it is produced on every page, for example in John Catholicos, in Moses Caghancatovatsi, and in the patriarch Michael the Syrian original: "Mikael Asori".

Appreciating the importance of this rich Armenian historical literature, the Imperial Academy of Sciences has successively published the Russian translations of unpublished historians: Ghevond, History of the Caliphs, 8th c.; Moses Caghancatovatsi, History of the Aghovans, 10th c.; Sebeos, History of Heraclius, 7th c., works of a young Armenian, today professor at the University of St. Petersburg, M. Patcanian. At the same time, M. J.-B. Emin, already known for his beautiful translation of Moses of Khoren, gave to the learned world a critical edition, with Russian translation, of the Epitome of Universal History, by Vardan the Great, 13th c.; then a Russian translation of the excellent Universal History of Asolik, 11th c., enriched with numerous notes; finally, long extracts from Kiracos and a French translation of the History of the vartabied Malakia Abégha, 13th c., Mongol epoch, had appeared in the Additions and clarifications to the history of Georgia. I must also mention two editions of the text of Mkhithar of Airivank, one by M. Emin, the other by M. Patcanian, who added a Russian translation, and the French translation of the History of Siunia, by Et. Orbelian. Since then I have felt more and more drawn to those of the Armenian historians whom I had incessantly consulted and mined, as they more particularly interest Georgia, and for this reason I first of all fixed my choice on Oukhtanès and on Kiracos, who occupied me for five years. This is the reason why they are today united.

Kiracos was born in Gantzac, today Elisavetpol, in the ancient Armenian province of Artsakh, very probably in the second year of the 13th c.; this is what he teaches us himself, p. 60, 138, and especially p. 36 of the translation, when he speaks of the