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

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PREFACE.
hundred years ago by two sons of the celebrated
William Whiston, and published in London with the
text, but scarcely a copy of it can at present be
procured, except in College Libraries or in the collections
of the curious. A complete History of Armenia has
been long considered a great desideratum. Travellers
from various parts of Europe have journeyed through
the extensive plains of Armenia, but all the information
they have gained respecting that unfortunate country
have been very limited, mostly confined to the local
history of the mouldering ruins of her ancient greatness^
and magnificence. Indeed, since Armenia lost her freedom,
European travellers have considered her as a
province of the kingdom which subjugated her, and
have not directed their enquiries to her former state as
an independent power.
These circumstances induced me to attempt the
translation of the present volume, which is a complete
History of Armenia, from the formation of the nation
to the present day. As a translator it is essentially
necessary for me to give due information in my prefatory
remarks of the nature of the work, as well as of everj
other circumstance connected with the translation. In
the first place, I shall speak of the motives which guided
me in undertaking the translation. Secondly, of the
author of the work and the Venetian Society, of which
he was a member. Thirdly, of his partiality in religious
affairs. Fourthly, of the ancient historians from whose
works his history was compiled. Fifthly, of the division
of the work into periods, and of the principal events