One of the most important accounts from the Near East in the 12th century is the Chronicle of Michael the Great. This book offers an English translation of the abridged Armenian version of that chronicle.
Excerpt:
The English translation presented below is a composite text based on the two main Classical Armenian versions of Michael’s Chronicle. Remarkably, Michael’s Chronicle was abridged twice in the 13th century, by two separate groups. The reasons for this retranslation are unclear, but the two translations are completely different in vocabulary, syntax, inclusion or exclusion of events, ordering of events, and style.
Who is this book for?
Michael the Great, also known as Michael the Syrian and Michael Rabo, served as the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch from 1166 to 1199. His chronicle, which covers events up to the year 1195, is regarded as one of the most important Christian historical works from the region.
The original text was written in Syriac, but this edition offers a translation of an Armenian version produced in the thirteenth century. That Armenian version is abridged, so historians seeking the fuller text will still need to consult the Syriac original.
Even so, this publication is far more affordable and will be a useful addition for anyone interested in medieval Middle Eastern history or the Crusades.
The Translator
Robert Bedrosian, who did his PhD at Columbia University in 1979, is one of the earliest medieval historians to have an online presence. In the mid-1990s he established his own website, which focused on Armenian history, and put online several translations of medieval chronicles. These works, which includes Chronicle of Michael the Great, can still be found on several websites. His works are now being published in print form by Sophene Books. Click here to read this article about Robert from 2010.
The Chronicle of Michael the Great, translated into English by Robert Bedrosian as a composite of the two main Classical Armenian editions of the text. Out today in paperback and hardback! pic.twitter.com/hiLLgjlrIN
Chronicle of Michael the Great
Translated by Robert Bedrosian
Sophene Books
ISBN: 978-1-923051-18-8
One of the most important accounts from the Near East in the 12th century is the Chronicle of Michael the Great. This book offers an English translation of the abridged Armenian version of that chronicle.
Excerpt:
The English translation presented below is a composite text based on the two main Classical Armenian versions of Michael’s Chronicle. Remarkably, Michael’s Chronicle was abridged twice in the 13th century, by two separate groups. The reasons for this retranslation are unclear, but the two translations are completely different in vocabulary, syntax, inclusion or exclusion of events, ordering of events, and style.
Who is this book for?
Michael the Great, also known as Michael the Syrian and Michael Rabo, served as the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch from 1166 to 1199. His chronicle, which covers events up to the year 1195, is regarded as one of the most important Christian historical works from the region.
The original text was written in Syriac, but this edition offers a translation of an Armenian version produced in the thirteenth century. That Armenian version is abridged, so historians seeking the fuller text will still need to consult the Syriac original.
Even so, this publication is far more affordable and will be a useful addition for anyone interested in medieval Middle Eastern history or the Crusades.
The Translator
Robert Bedrosian, who did his PhD at Columbia University in 1979, is one of the earliest medieval historians to have an online presence. In the mid-1990s he established his own website, which focused on Armenian history, and put online several translations of medieval chronicles. These works, which includes Chronicle of Michael the Great, can still be found on several websites. His works are now being published in print form by Sophene Books. Click here to read this article about Robert from 2010.
You can learn more about this book from the publisher’s website.
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