Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/30

 PREFACE. XXXX

narrates at full length the events that occurred during the generalship of Vahan the Mamiconian, at whose request he composed his history, which extends to the period of Vahan's elevation to the dignity of the prefecture of Armenia, as far as the year 485. His work was published at the convent of San Lazaro in Venice in the year 1793.

Thomas the Arzrunian flourished at the end of the fifth century or beginning of the sixth. He was educated by one of the pupils of St. Elishey the Historian. A fewonTy of his works have been handed down to us, which treat of the lives of St. Vardan and Vahan the Arzrunian^ and the heretical exertions of Barzumah the Nestorian, the whole extending to the year 600.

Johannes, bishop of the Mamiconians, flourished in the seventh century. He wrote a narrative of the wars of the Mamiconians with the Persians, and an account of the exploits of Mushel, Vahan the Wolf, &c. His history extends to the year 640. This work was published at Constantinople in conjunction with that of Zenobius in the year 1719, Haican era 11 68.

Johannes Catmolicus, a native of Dashonakert, a scholar and relation of the blessed Mashtoz, flourished at the end of the ninth or beginning of the tenth century. He succeeded his venerable master in the pontifical throne of Armenia. Some, however, consider him to be a native of Garney or Duin. He wrote in a most excellent style a History of Armenia from the formation of the nation by Haic to the reign of Ashot the Second, the Bagratian king, extending to the year 920. He also wrote a brief account of all the Armenian pontiffs, com^

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