Mkhitar of Ani

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Mkhitar of Ani (Armenian: Մխիթար Անեցի; Mkhitar Anets'i[1], Mxit'ar of Ani[2]) was an Armenian historian and priest of the second half of the 12th to the beginning of the 13th century.[3] He studied at the monastery of Horomos, near Ani.[3]

Demonstrating a strong enthusiasm for astronomy, Mkhitar translated a Persian text on the zodiac and eclipses and accompanied it with illustrative diagrams.[4] No copy of the work, however, exists today.[4]

Universal history

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Mkhitar is the author of Universal History, of which only the introduction survives.[5] His work was patronized by Grigor, abbot of Harich.[3] Like Samuel Anetsi, Mkhitar begins his work with a succinct summary of the patriarchs from the Old Testament.[4]

A missing segment of Mekhitar's "Universal History" was found in a copy of Vardan Areveltsi's Historical Compilation.[5] The segment consisted of information on the Ghaznavids and Seljuqs.[5] From the fragments of Mkhitar's work it is clear he used Aristakes Lastivertsi, Hovhannes Imastaser, and Samuel Anetsi, while the information on the Seljuqs was translated from Persian.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Thomson 1980, p. 889.
  2. ^ Kouymjian 1969, p. 331.
  3. ^ a b c Thomson 2011, p. 76.
  4. ^ a b c Thomson 2011, p. 77.
  5. ^ a b c Kouymjian 1973, p. 465.
  6. ^ Kouymjian 1969, p. 334.

Sources

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  • Kouymjian, Dickran K. (1969). "Mxit'ar of Ani on the Rise of the Seljuqs'". Revue des Etudes Armeniennes. VI: 331–353.
  • Kouymjian, Dickran K. (1973). "Problems of Medieval Armenian and Muslim Historiography: The Mxit'ar of Ani Fragment". International Journal of Middle East Studies. 4 (4 (Oct.)): 465–475.
  • Thomson, Robert W. (1980). "Armenian Variations on the Baḥira Legend". Harvard Ukrainian Studies. 3/4, Part 2. Eucharisterion: Essays presented to Omeljan Pritsak on his Sixtieth Birthday by his Colleagues and Students: 884–895.
  • Thomson, Robert W. (2011). "Medieval Chroniclers of Ani: Hovhannes, Samvel, and Mkhitar". In Hovannisian, Richard G. (ed.). Armenian Kars and Ani. Costa Mesa. pp. 65–80. ISBN 9781568591575.