Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsi Armenian Catholicos (898-929), historian and writer Date of Birth: 01.01.0850 Country: Armenia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Rise to the Patriarchal Throne
3. Political Turmoil and Exile
4. Later Life and Literary Work
5. "History of Armenia"
6. Legacy

Early Life and Education

Born between 845 and 850 in Draskhanakert, Armenia, Hovhannes Draskhanakertci received his primary education on an island in Lake Sevan under the tutelage of Catholicos Mashtots, his relative.

Rise to the Patriarchal Throne

Around 897, Draskhanakertci ascended to the patriarchal throne of Armenia, serving as catholicos for approximately 30 years. Prior to his elevation, he held the position of "bishop of the court," the second-highest spiritual authority in the country.

Political Turmoil and Exile

Draskhanakertci's reign was marked by complex political upheavals. During the Arab invasion of Armenia, he was taken hostage by Arab governor Yusuf and brought on a campaign in the hopes of weakening Armenian resistance. Draskhanakertci escaped to Georgia, later returning and settling in Taron. Faced with continuous Arab aggression, he sought assistance from Byzantium and was invited to Constantinople by King Ashot II. However, he chose to journey from Taron to Derjan and then into hiding in Manea. After a year, he returned to Dvin.

Later Life and Literary Work

Draskhanakertci's later life is sparsely documented. Evading Arab governor Nesr, he sought sanctuary in Gegha fortress, Lake Sevan, and Byurakan before eventually resettling in Dvin. Following another Arab attack, he was forced to relocate to Bagaran. At the request of King Gagik Artsruni, he traveled to Vaspurakan with the intention of returning to the patriarchal seat in Dvin. However, the city had already been seized by Arab vostikan Nesr.

Draskhanakertci is primarily known as a historian. His surviving works include a brief list of Armenian catholicoi, "Order of the Armenian Catholicoi," with short biographical notes on each. His principal work, "History of Armenia," is considered one of the most valuable contributions to Armenian historiography.

"History of Armenia"

Draskhanakertci's "History of Armenia" covers the period from ancient times to 924, when devastating Arab raids reached their peak and the Bagratuni princes established an independent dynasty in the region of Shirak, with Ani as its capital. The work has a brief preface in which the author outlines its content. It is believed to have been written at the request of Ashot II and Gagik Artsruni.

Draskhanakertci's "History" is traditionally divided into two parts: the first covers the period from the biblical Flood to the end of the 9th century, while the second focuses on events during the first quarter of the 10th century. The first part relies on earlier Armenian historical texts, while the second part is based on the author's firsthand account as a witness and participant in the events he describes. This section provides the most comprehensive and detailed account of early 10th-century Armenian history.

The "History" is also an important source for studying the history of the Transcaucasus region, particularly Georgia and Albania. It contains valuable information on socio-economic conditions, geography, and топоgraphy. As an apologist for the Bagratids, Draskhanakertci advocated for a strong centralized government.

Legacy

The first printed edition of Draskhanakertci's "History" appeared in 1841 in French translation. It was first published in Old Armenian in Jerusalem in the same year. The "History" has also been translated into Georgian and published in 1965 by E. Tsagareishvili with a critical Old Armenian text.