Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/18

 PREFACE.

��Armenia is eminently distinguished among the coun- tries of Asia, by the political changes which she has undergone, and by the connection which exists between eertain periods of her history and the histories of Rome and Greece. When we consider the origin of her state^ the progress of her power during her independence, and the various revolutions that happened in her government during a long period of successive ages, we may reasonably conclude that the History of Armenia is replete with interesting events. But, notwithstanding these circum- stances, the ancient state of that country is very little known to the curious and learned of Europe; and con- sidering their indefatigable spirit of enterprize in the path of letters, it is no less a matter of surprise than regret that the Europeans have almost entirely neglected the cultivation of Armenian Literature. Indeed, there are few who have directed their attention to the Arme- nian Language, and those who have studied it, have not attained that proficiency which .could have enabled them to add much to the stock of Oriental Knowledge, already eoUected in the literary hive of Europe. A History of Armenia by Moses of Khoren, extending to the middle of the^ fifth century, was translated into Latin about a

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