Product Description

This is a 3000 year history of one of Europe′s most fascinating and important peoples.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #795646 in Books
• Published on: 2000-03-04
• Released on: 2000-04-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Review
"The many virtues of the work are self–evident: illustrated by plentiful maps, handsomely produced and bibliographically comprehensive, the authoritative scholarly narrative and expert analysis on display is never less than impeccably professional." English Historical Review.

"A broadly conceived introduction to the political and social history of Armenia ... this is a valuable book which fills a serious gap. It deserves a wide circulation among those interested in the early history of the Armenian people and their Church." Ecclesiastical History.

"In this work, A. E. Redgate has brought to bear her considerable knowledge of history and her carefuul use of primary sources to provide us with a book which is learned, objective, well–argued, and eminently readable ... if a person could have only one book on Armenian history, this is the book." Canadian Journal of History

English Historical Review
"The many virtues of the work are self-evident: illustrated by plentiful maps, handsomely produced and bibliographically comprehensive, the authoritative scholarly narrative and expert analysis on display is never less than impeccably professional." English Historical Review

From the Back Cover
This is a 3000 year history of one of Europe′s most fascinating and important peoples. Situated on the south–east coast of the Black Sea, Armenia has been a pivotal point between the forces of the east and of the west over most of its long history. That history has thus been very largely one of conquest by rival empires. In the classical period Armenia was conquered successively by the Persians, Seleucids and the Greeks (under Alexander). The flourishing of an independent and powerful Armenian society in the last three centuries before Christ was dissipated by successive invasions of Romans, Parthians and Persians.

The conversion of Armenia to Christianity in AD 301 was the prelude to conquests first by Byzantium and then by the Arabs. The dissipation of Armenian culture continued through many centuries of subjugation under the Ottoman Empire and more recently as part of the Soviet Empire.

Perhaps not surprisingly emigration from their troubled homeland has been a popular option among Armenians for at least the last 1,500 years. Armenian culture, as the author shows, has survived in enclaves throughout Europe, the Middle East and the United States. The book closes with a consideration of Armenia′s first experience of independence after a gap of 1000 years. Redgate′s vivid, analytical narrative is illustrated with numerous photographs and maps.

Customer Reviews

Good political account of a borderlands Christianity
This is is a very detailed account which makes for dense reading. The dynastic information is obviously important, but sometimes makes for a dry account, in the manner of the more old fashioned accounts of English medieval history. A wider focus and comparisons within the broader European or even Byzantine arenas might also have made for a more obviously "relevant" account. Of course part of the interest is that Armenia was only marginally European, always risking incorporation in the polities of others. All that said, this is a much needed book, on a fascinating and exciting area, set a little above the demands of the general reader, but infinitely rewarding.

One of the books on Armenians in English
As one of the reviewers put it, this is a dense, scholarly work on the subject. The author does try to provide an objective look at the nation and the country, and these efforts must be applauded and welcomed. The question of to what degree she has succeeded is another one. On one hand not being Armenian (or Turkish) should help with objectivity, on the other hand not actually being fluent in Armenian doesn't really help. The focus of the book is also very much pre-1071, and there is very little material on more recent Armenian history. The truth of Genocide also gets very little attention if at all, this perhaps being the most surprising part, since modern Armenian history cannot be considered without the effects of the Armenian Genocide. Nevertheless this is one of the very few modern works on Armenian history available today in English.

Essential Read on State Formation
For anyone wanting to understand the backgroud to the formation of the Armenian nation(s), this book is essential reading. To achieve this, great detail is applied.

On the down side, the emphasis may be too much on the political aspects. Example: the author shows that Armenia's conversion to Christianity was initially a political move by Tiridates IV inspired by Rome's upcoming(?) conversion, rather than a religious one. Redgate even states Armenia's claim of being the first Christian state is due to a (politically inspired) chronological mix-up by the writers of the chronicles the legend is based on, and that conversion actually happened after Rome's. After all, these chronicles were written ages after events took place. Unfortunately, the author offers close to no detail on the actual conversion of the population, which happened throughout the following centuries.

'The Armenians' does offer a clear view on state formation, and how religion can be a political means in the creation of a 'nation', although the book lacks some of the social dimension.

It remains an essential read for those interested in Armenia and more generally in state formation.