By Fr. Krikor Maksoudian

The early fifth-century invention of the Armenian alphabet is a major turning point in the history of the Armenian people, yet much of the information readily available on it in English is contradictory and confusing.

Modern writers have ascribed all kinds of motives ranging from evangelization to socioeconomic, cultural, and other secular factors to the invention of the Armenian alphabet. Some authors have even asserted that there was some kind of writing system for Armenian before the fourth-century adoption of Christianity by the Armenian people.

This volume is based on the historical sources for the invention. It views the invention within the context of the accompanying dramatic political events of the division of the kingdom of Armenia between the rival Persian and Roman empires and the fall of the Arshakuni dynasty. It portrays the foundation of consequent literary tradition that made the Bible accessible in Armenian and created much of the basis of Armenian cultural identity for centuries to come.

This volume is intended for a general readership and includes an album of relevant illustrations and a historical map.

176 pages, soft cover

ISBN# 0934728577