OF GHAZAR PARPETSI

HISTORY OF ARMENIA

I. The beginning of the first book of the History of Armenia, wherein the blessed man Agathangelos, having made a beginning, narrated with certainty, 5 starting from the death of Artaban at the hands of Artashir, son of Sasan, the tyrant of the Stahratsis original: "Stahratsvuyn", meaning from the region of Estakhr in Persia; and of the return of this land of Armenia from the ignorance of idol-worship to the truth of the knowledge of God through the holy martyr Gregory; for whose name they also call the book [the History] of Grigor. The beginning of the second book, having made a beginning in the order of the first book, [narrates] the many 10 changes of this land of Armenia, of the good and the evil, of the lives and deeds of holy and defiled men, and of the times of war and of peace. All this was narrated by a certain Faustus of Byzantium, up to the reign of Arshak (son of Pap, son of Arshak), son of Tiran; under whose reign the land of Armenia was divided 15 and torn into two parts, like the example of an aged garment. And having finished the account of his history at this point, he left it knotted; which they call by the name of the book, History of Armenia.

1 BD. has such a title: History of Ghazar Parpetsi, which was composed regarding the events of the land of Armenia, during the times of our blessed and holy Patriarchs and translators Sahak and Mesrop, until the day of the marzpanate governorship of Vahan Mamikonean. Transcribed from a holy copy, in the holy see of

Etchmiadzin: By the command of the excellent enthroned one, Lord Simeon, Holy Catholicos; in the year of the Savior 1784, and in our calendar 1272.

2. (in a new hand) and A. have such a title: Historiography of Ghazar Parpetsi. Composed at the request of the commander of Armenia, and marzpan, Lord Vahan Mamikonean.

After the title A. puts Preface. BGT. put Introduction.

4 yir starting: 2. to start
5 2. first written as "at the death", later corrected thus
5 2. "from Artashir son of Sasan" has in the margin
5 2. first "Stahayvyn", later corrected thus
13 ZA. yir "son of Pap, son of Arshak": Thus according to orthography. BKJ.