Author Description

The History of the Armenians attributed to Movses of Xoren consists of three Books. Book I covers the prehistory of the Armenian people and their lands, including the early ancestors and legends. Book II describes the rise and rule of the Arsacid dynasty in Persia and Armenia, the origins of the naxarar clans, events during the Roman Republic and Empire, and local developments through the 4th century, including Armenia's Christianization. Book III recounts 5th-century events including the creation of the Armenian alphabet, and ends with the deaths of Saints Sahak and Mesrop. The author states that he lived in this period, participated in translating Greek works into Armenian, and wrote his History at the request of his patron, Sahak Bagratuni. This edition was translated into English by Robert Bedrosian in 2025.