Among other historical sources for the period are:
- History of Armenia by Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsi (c. 840-929; elected Catholicos 897 or 898; cited below from Yovhannēs Drasxanakertc’i’s History of Armenia, translated by Rev. Fr. Krikor Vardapet Maksoudian, 1987, available online
- History of the House of Artsrunik by Tovma Artsruni (fl. c. 900; cited below from the Armenian, Թովմա Արծրունի և անանուն, « Պատմություն Արծրունյաց տան », ԵՊՀ հրատարակչություն, Երևան, 1985; 2006 reprint available online, n.b. with different pagination than cited below)
- History of Armenia by Fr. Michael Chamich (Mikayel Chamchian (1738-1823), originally published in three volumes, Venice, 1784-1786; translated by John Avdall, in two volumes, Calcutta, 1827, available online)
Characters are listed below in order of appearance, with corresponding historical references.
Hovnan—Brave, intelligent military leader from the province of Sassoon. He does not belong to any of Armenia’s noble families and is considered a commoner by blood. Hovnan has been in love with Princess Vaskanush Bagratuni since they were teenagers, although they have been separated for 27 years. He is considered a “man of the people.”
[Artsruni pp. 294-297: Hovnan said to the Arab king, ‘When you speak to me I view you as a man raving crazily. I’ve condemned you for long and I have no slightest fear of you in my heart, since I disdained you and destroyed your commander with his troops and dispensed his war trophy and then I continued no less assaults against your army. So how can I mix cowardice to my courage and die with fear? I was brave against the bodily enemy, as you know, and do you think I will not die for Christ and the eternal life, or do you think I’ll be afraid of you? Never. So, here I am in front of you, do not hesitate to do what you want.’]
Prince Gourgen Abubelch—Prince of Artsruni royal blood and of the Mamikonian dynasty. Gurgen has had his ancestral lands at Vaspurakan withheld from him by his Artsruni relatives. Gurgen fought bravely for the Byzantine army and he was rewarded with the province of Tortum. Gurgen returns to Armenia to marry Princess Heghine, but she is already married to the lord of Andzev.
[Draskhanakerttsi XXX 16: “The sparapet acted craftily, and pretending to be in agreement stipulated as follows: ‘Let Atrnerseh return to me the two fortresses that he has taken away from my brother-in-law [sister’s husband] Gurgen, and send as hostage his son Dawit. Then I shall let him go in peace.’”]
[Artsruni pp. 301-303: “… fought for his native country against the Arab invaders shedding his blood and sweat, devoted his soul and body to defend the sacred churches of Christ and the believers in Father, Son and the Holy spirit…. Do not blame me, o reader, for not writing down all his deeds in detail, since if others have done one or two or several things, his deeds prevail them all and are much more than the others have done.” (also at pp. 303-327, 330-335, 363-365)]
Emir Jaffra—Ruler of Baghdad.
[Draskhanakerttsi XXV 26: “Thereafter, the caliph Ja’far (Jap’r) sent to Armenia a governor by the name of Abu Sa’id (Apuset’)…”]
Ashot Artsruni—Armenian prince who is betrayed to the Arabs by Mushegh Vahevuni, Vahram Truni and Vahram Gnuni.
[Draskhanakerttsi XXV 38: “Although Ashot, the great prince of the Arcruni house, had taken measures to resist the violent Bugha with his warriors, yet, his naxarars were not of the same mind with him in this matter.”]
[Artsruni p. 171: “Ashot of the Artsruni dynasty who reigned in Vaspourakan marz was a brave and strong man among the eminent. He did a lot of brave deeds in the wars and in armed contests. He was glorious and renowned among the lords both to the eastern and northern parts of Armenia, and especially among the lords of Vaspourakan.” (also at pp.194-203, 206-212, 236-239, 314-317, 326-339)]
Old Pagan—A priest practicing the pre-Christian Armenian religion who helps Hovnan understand his path.
Heghine Rshtuni—Princess whom Gurgen loves, she is married to Mushegh Andzev by the time Gurgen returns from fighting for the Byzantine army. She is wise and fair, although she also has a temper.
[Artsruni p. 325: “When the lord of Andzev died, Lady Heghine wrote to Gourgen, ‘If you wish to marry me and to become the lord of Andzev, then don’t be scared, don’t delay, and don’t hesitate to hurry.’”]
Vahrich—Gurgen’s servant. Vahrich enters Gurgen’s service thinking he can take advantage of the young prince, but quickly realizes Gurgen’s strength. Vahrich is incredibly loyal and provides comic relief throughout the novel.
Tsolak—Gurgen’s fast horse.
Hripsime Artsruni—Member of both the Artsruni and Bagratuni families, and an acquaintance of Vaskanush and Hovnan. Well-known for her intelligence, prudence, cleverness, and piety. Many of her relatives are abducted by the Arabs and eventually she herself gets into Arab custody.
[Draskhanakerttsi XXVI 7: “The tyrant seized the prisoner, and subsequently, the raiding troops captured his brother Ashot and their mother, the great princess, both of whom were immediately brought to him [ = Bugha] in the city of Dvin.”]
[Artsruni p. 239: “When Lady Hripsime learned that her sons were taken into captivity, she also followed them plucking out her hair, tearing her collar and with weeping and tears.” (also at pp. 226-227, 326-327)]
Prince Khosrov of Ake—Prince who travels to Baghdad on behalf of Lady Hripsime to report on her relatives who have been captured by the Arabs. Khosrov is a close friend to Hovnan and Gurgen, and assists them in their battles.
[Chamich I, p. 409: “Among these gallant, but unfortunate Armenians, were George of the tribe of Akies, and Khosrove of that of the Gabeliens, whose bodies after their death were noticed to possess many miraculous properties.”]
Princess Vaskanush Bagratuni—45-year-old princess who is also the abbess of a monastery on the Byzantine border, where she was sent as a teenager by her father because she fell in love with Hovnan, who was a commoner. Vaskanush is well-respected and loved by all who meet her.
Lord Mushegh of Andzev—Heghine’s husband, a weak man.
Catholicos Hovhannes—First Catholicos in the novel, does not support Hovnan’s plans to defend Armenia.
[Draskhanakerttsi XXV 14: “Dawit’ was succeeded by Yovhannes, who was from the village of Ovayk’ in the district of Kotayk’.”]
Lord Ashot Bagratuni—Son of Smbat Sparapet and eventual king of Armenia.
[Draskhanakerttsi XXVII 2: “For it does not seem expedient to duplicate the narrative of Shapuh Bagratuni, a historian of our own times, who has given a precise account of the succession of Ashot, son of the sparapet Smbat that is to say, a history of his years as prince, the circumstances of his coronation, as well as the return of the Armenian princes and naxarars taken captive by Bugha, and the restoration to each one of his own realm.”]
[Artsruni p. 321: “When blessed Zacharia, learned that Gourgen was arrested, he hurried to arrive with the bishops of the country. Lord Ashot was also accompanying him. Zacharia requested Derenik to release Gourgen. And Derenik obeying to him released Gourgen.” (also at pp.270-271, 298-299, 316-317, 320-323, 348-357, 416-419)]
Bugha—Commander of the Arab forces, a brutal enemy of Turkish origin who takes many Armenian nobles hostage and sends them to Baghdad.
[Draskhanakerttsi XXV 30: “When the caliph was informed of the murder of Abu Sa’id, he raised an army, mustered his forces, and dividing them into detachments, handed them over to one of his slaves called Bugha whom he sent to Armenia. 31. He gave [to the latter] strict orders to bind with fetters and bring to him all the princes and lords of the land, and especially to slay all of the ramik cavalry that had ventured to carry swords on their thighs or to raise weapons. 32. If, however, any of the more distinguished should embrace the faith of Muhammad, he should bring them with him. 33. Upon his arrival in the district of Taron with all his forces, Bugha struck the land like lightening.”]
Smbat Sparapet—Commander of the Armenian military, he is overly cautious about using military force against the Arab invaders. He respects Hovnan but is wary of his advice.
[Draskhanakerttsi XXV 44: “When Smbat, the great sparapet of Armenia, saw the destruction brought about by Bugha, and the carnage wrought by the murderous sword which smote the peoples [of the above mentioned regions], he put his life at stake for the salvation of his land, and went to greet Bugha with numerous presents and gifts.”]
Mushegh Vahevuni—Armenian traitor who is brought to justice by Hovnan and used to capture the two Vahrams.
Vahram Truni—Armenian traitor brought to justice by Hovnan.
Vahram Gnuni—Armenian traitor who is brought to justice by Hovnan.
Mirza Hassan—Bugha’s secretary, provides Hovnan under duress with the evidence to condemn the Armenian traitors.
Zaruhi—Daughter of Grigor Supan, Lord of Syunik. Ashot Syuni loves her.
Lord Ashot Syuni—Son of Babken Sisakan, Ashot loves Zaruhi, the daughter of Grigor Supan, Lord of Syunik. When Zaruhi is sent away from Syuni to stay with Vaskanush, Ashot comes to rescue her. Ashot assists Hovnan, Gurgen, and Khosrov in their military escapades, and is an eager warrior.
[Draskhanakerttsi XXV 29: “29. About this time, Grigor lord of Siwnik’, who was called Sup’an, and Babgen, nahapet of Sisakan, quarrelled and levied forces to fight against one another. Sup’an was killed by Babgen, and Sup’an’s son Vasak flatteringly surnamed Gabur, succeeded to the realm of his father.”]
Lord Grigor Bagratuni, nicknamed Ishkhanik—Prince who does not pay tribute to the Byzantines or the Arabs on his fortresses of Aramanyak and Ashkharaberd. When the Byzantines try to take these fortresses back, Gurgen and Hovnan come to his rescue. Ishkhanik then assists Gurgen in recapturing Tortum after a Greek prince seizes it.
Catholicos Zacharia —Well-respected Catholicos, chosen from outside the church hierarchy.
[Draskhanakerttsi XXVII 15: “The blessed patriarch Zak’aria offered powerful prayers to all merciful God with everlasting supplications and entreating solicitations and through divine ordinance he warded off the wrathful scourge of God, so that the Church of Christ remained undamaged from the immense severity of the peril.”]
[Artsruni p.339: “The Armenian patriarch Zacharia is extremely kind, charitable, good to the poor, full of heavenly gifts.” (also at pp.310-313, 494-503)]
Ariga—Khosrov’s daughter who is captured by the Arabs and eventually liberated.
Khanum—Ugly and cruel Arab woman who captures Khosrov’s daughter, Ariga, and who almost succeeds in torturing Gurgen.
Lord Grigor Artsruni—Unsuccessfully antagonizes Gurgen by trying to steal his lands in Vaspurakan.
[Draskhanakerttsi XXIX: “The Rule of the Presiding Prince Ashot as King, and the Murder of Grigor Arcruni”]
Omar and his Wife—Arabs who are bribed by Heghine so she can rescue Gurgen.
Derenik—Another local lord who tries to steal Gurgen’s lands.
[Chamich II, p. 4: “The second daughter of Ashot was married to Gregory the Arzrunian, who was otherwise known as Derenick, prince of the province of Vaspurakan.”]
[Artsruni p. 321: “Gourgen bared his sword and said to Derenik, ‘My son, salutations to you, salutations. I am heading to Byzantium,’ and Derenik in horror said, ‘Spare me.’ And he couldn’t say anything else.” (also at pp.312-315, 346-355 etc.)]
Martiros—Priest who wrote a letter to Bugha on behalf of the Armenian traitors and who forged a letter from Gurgen to Heghine that lead to Heghine’s first marriage. He is eventually caught by Vahrich.
Other sources for literary and character analysis include:
- The Heritage of Armenian Literature, Vol. 2: From the Sixth to the Eighteenth Century edited by Agop J. Hacikyan, Gabriel Basmajian, Edward S. Franchuk, Nourhan Ouzounian (Wayne State University Press, 2002), p. 251: “The popular hero, Hovnan (a fictional figure), has contempt for the ruling class and nobility because of their conceited and arrogant demeanor, and he arouses the people to rebellion.”
- Between Islam and Byzantium: Aght`amar and the Visual Construction of Medieval Armenian Rulership by Lynn Jones (Routledge, 2007), p. 13: “The earliest ninth-century ceremony for which there exists a contemporary detailed description involves Gurgen Artsruni. In 851/52, after several years of armed resistance, Gurgen was persuaded by Bugha to accept investiture as a prince of Vaspurakan. According to Thomas Artsruni, Gurgen travelled to Bugha’s camp accompanied by his army…”
- The French Influence on the Western Armenian Renaissance, 1843-1915 by James Etmekjian (Twayne, 1964), p. 100 references the influences of Corneille, Racine, Moliere, Voltaire, Rousseau, Chateaubriand, Lamartine, Hugo, and Musset, with a direct discussion of this influence on Tserents, and pp. 207-208 references the Armenian Romanticists (including Tserents) vis-à -vis Lamartine, Hugo, Musset, and Vigny.