History of Armenia, by Father Michael Chamich; from B. C. 2247 to ...

P R E F A C E.
Armenia is
eminently distinguished among the countries
of Asia, by the political changes which she has
undergone, and by the connection which exists between
certain periods of her history and the histories of Rome
and Greece. When we consider the origin of her state
the progress of her power during her independence, and
the various revolutions that happened in her government
during a long period of successive ages, we may reasonably
conclude that the History of Armenia is replete with
interesting events. But, notwithstanding these circumstances,
the ancient state of that country is very little
known to the curious and learned of Europe; and considering
their indefatigable spirit of enterprize in the
path of letters, it is no less a matter of surprise than
regret
that the Europeans have almost entirely neglected
the cultivation of Armenian Literature. Indeed, tliere
are few who have directed their attention to the Armenian
Language, and those who have studied it, have not
attained that
proficiency which could have enabled them
to add much to the stock of Oriental Knowledge, already
collected m the literary hive of Europe. A History of
Armenia by Moses of Khoren, extending to the middle
of the fifth century, was translated into Latin about a
c