History of the Armenians

The History of the Armenians describes episodically and in epic style, events from the military, socio-cultural, and political life of fourth century Armenia. This work is perhaps the most problematical of the Armenian sources, and one of the most tantalizing. Controversy surrounds almost every aspect of this History: the format of the extant (versus the original) text; the author's identity; and where, in what language, and when it was written. There is an extensive body of scholarly literature devoted to these and other questions.

P'awstos' History is a treasure of early Armenian literature, invaluable for historians, anthropologists and linguists, for Armenists and Iranists. The present text of P'awstos exists in four "Books," beginning with Book III. Volume 1 contains Books III and IV.

The Sophene Armenian Library is illuminating and revitalizing the finest works of Armenian literature. The Sophene Dual Language series places the original Armenian text side-by-side with its English translation, making for the most accessible editions of the finest works of Armenian literature.

Translated into English by Robert Bedrosian.