Sebeos’ History of Emperor Heraclius: An Attempt of Interpretation
Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod
For citation: Vashcheva, Irina Yu. Sebeos’ History of Emperor Heraclius: An Attempt of Interpretation // Graphosphaera. 2023. Vol. 3. № 2. P. 43–75. URL: http://writing.igh.ru/index.php?id=2023-3-2-43-75
DOI: 10.32608/2782-5272-2023-3-2-43-75
Abstract: The paper deals with the problem of interpreting of one of the most enigmatic works of the early Middle Ages – the History of Emperor Heraclius written by the Armenian author – Bishop Sebeos in the first half of the 7th century. The relevance of this study is determined by the fact that this complicated work almost has not been studied in historical-philological and cultural aspects. The complex approach proposed in the paper implies a combination of cultural and semiotic methods, which allow us to reveal the hidden meanings of this work and to try to understand the intents and the worldview of the Christian author of the 7th century. This historical work was a unique combination of “history” and “eschatological prophecy”. It organically weaves together purely historical stories with apocalyptic motifs. The result is a kind of historiosophic and at the same time political science essay about the author’s contemporary problems and peculiar “challenges of contemporary times”, the main of which is the approaching end of the world. Many motifs (“change of world empires”, “possession of the Cross of the Lord”, “the last king of the world power”, etc.), which would become the leading ones in the historiography and theology of the Christian world, are heard in the text for the first time. The Armenians are presented as a “new chosen people” who have preserved the true Christian faith.
Key words: Sebeos, early Armenian historiography, Armenian history, Arab invasion, Byzantine history, Emperor Heraclius
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