Moses of Khoren and the Invention of Armenian History

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the enigmatic figure of Movses Khorenatsi — Moses of Khoren — the fifth-century historian whose 'History of Armenia' shaped Armenian national identity for over a millennium. They discuss how Khorenatsi wove biblical genealogy, Persian epic, and local legend into a coherent narrative tracing Armenia's kings from Hayk to the Arshakuni dynasty. The conversation examines the enduring controversy over his dating: was he a contemporary of Mesrop Mashtots, or a later compiler writing under Arab rule? They cover his use of sources like the lost 'Syriac Chronicle' of Bardaisan, his invention of the eponymous ancestor Hayk, and how his work influenced medieval chroniclers like Samuel of Ani and modern nationalists alike. The episode also touches on the manuscript tradition — how Khorenatsi's text survived in over 200 copies — and the fierce scholarly debates between 'traditionalists' and 'hypercritics' over his historicity. Finally, they reflect on what Khorenatsi's blending of fact and fable tells us about history writing itself. #MovsesKhorenatsi #MosesofKhoren #HistoryofArmenia #ArmenianHistory #PatmutyunHayots #Hayk #Arshakuni #MesropMashtots #Bardaisan #SamuelofAni #MedievalHistoriography #ArmenianManuscripts #Caucasus #Byzantine #Sassanid #Historiography #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo