Lost Epic "the Persian War"

[Zartonk]

Besides being the primary record of the last five Arshakuni monarchs, Paustos Buzand's (Pavstos Buzandatsi, or the Byzantine) monumental work The History of the Armenians, also hold within it's pages another priceless specialty. Of the surviving Classic Armenian Literature, it is the only source that, according scholar Manuk Abeghian, alludes to a fascinating epic collection of poems entitled The Persian Wars. Rare in nature, The Persian Wars are a collection of non-lyrical poems that are derived from and take one bake to the folklore beliefs of the Pre-Christian religion. It's been concluded that Buzand's mentioned verse is but a reconstruction of the original, which alongside many other national epics, have failed in reaching us today. The verse covers the tale of the bewitchment of King Arshak by the "chaldees" (astrologers) of King Shapuh (Sassanid) during a visit to the latter's court. It is curious what the remaining portions must have covered and how they held up aesthetically.

 

From: The Heritage of Armenian Literature; Volume I: From the Oral tradition to the Golden Age.

Edited July 8, 2005 by Zartonk