The Literary and Historical Background of the Legend about the Martyrdom of the Oskeans

The Literary and Historical Background of the Legend about the Martyrdom of the OskeansBanber MatenadaraniSyriaca.org: The Syriac Reference PortalThe National Endowment for the HumanitiesThe International Balzan Prize FoundationDavid A. Michelsoncbsc_adminRecord added to Zotero bycbsc_adminSyriaca.org: The Syriac Reference Portalhttp://syriaca.org/cbss/XYFGUG57/tei

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2024-08-15-04:00

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CREATED: This bibl record was autogenerated from a Zotero record.ShavarshAzatyanThe Literary and Historical Background of the Legend about the Martyrdom of the Oskeanshttp://syriaca.org/cbss/XYFGUG57https://www.zotero.org/groups/a_comprehensive_bibliography_on_syriac_studies/items/XYFGUG57https://www.zotero.org/groups/4861694/items/XYFGUG57Banber Matenadarani292020126-145The legend about the Oskeans’ martyrdom was most probably written in the V-VI centuries. This text is of special significance for source study and historiography. On the basis of Tatian’s testimony and using folklore motifs, Armenian clergymen created a narrative which became widespread among the people who were still adherents of the pagan faith. The narration sheds light on certain issues related to the administrative structure of Armenia in the 5th–6th centuries. It also contributes to filling the gaps in the history of the spreading of Christianity. A number of historic data help us clarify some questions concerning the hierarchy of the Armenian Church. The legend also concerns social and political events of the early Middle Ages. It contains unique pieces of information on old settlements and on paganism in Ancient Armenia. Azatyan, Shavarsh. “The Literary and Historical Background of the Legend about the Martyrdom of the Oskeans.” Banber Matenadarani 29 (2020): 126–45. Shavarsh Azatyan, The Literary and Historical Background of the Legend about the Martyrdom of the Oskeans, Banber Matenadarani 29 (2020): 126–45.DiatessaronIV-VII CENew TestamentSyriac influence [Armenia]hagiographymartyrdom