Sebeos’un Tarihi (7.Yüzyıl)
Sebeos 7. yüzyıl Ermeni piskoposu ve tarihçisiydi. Yazarın hayatı
hakkında çok az şey biliniyor. Sebeos Ermenistan’ın başkenti Dvin’de[1]
yapılan Dördüncü Dvin Kilise Konsiline katılmıştır ve imzacıları arasındadır.
Adı, on sekiz piskopos listesinde sekizinci sırada bulunur. Sebeos'tan bahseden
ilk Ermeni yazar, 8. yüzyıl rahibi Lewond'dur.
Sebeos'un Tarihi, altıncı-yedinci yüzyıllarda Ermenistan ve
Ortadoğu çalışmaları için özel önem taşıyan bir yedinci yüzyıl belgesidir.
Sebeos, Bizans, İran ve Araplar arasında meydana gelen olaylar hakkında da
kapsamlı ve değerli bilgiler sağlar. Sebeos'a atfedilen tarih, Matenadaran 2639
(1672 tarihli) adlı tek bir son el yazmasında günümüze ulaşmıştır. İkinci, daha
eski bir el yazması (1568 tarihli) biliniyordu ve 1851'de yayınlanan ilk baskı
için kullanıldı, ancak o zamandan beri kayboldu Metin ilk defa olarak T'adeos
Mihrdatean tarafından İstanbul’da 1851'de 'Herakleios'ta Piskopos Sebeos'un
Tarihi' başlığı altında tercüme edilmiştir.
Gevorg Varagi Abgarian/Abgaryan, ed., Patmut‘iwn Sebēosi,
Yerevan, 1979; Robert W. Thomson, The History of Łazar P‘arpec‘i,
Atlanta, 1991; Idem, “The Defence of Armenian Orthodoxy in Sebeos,” in
I. Shevchenko and I. Hutter, eds., AETOS: Studies in Honour of Cyril Mango,
Stuttgart and Leipzig, 1998, s. 329-41; Robert W. Thomson and James
Howard-Johnston, “The Armenian History Attributed to Sebeos”, Liverpool,
1999; James Douglas Howard-Johnston, “Witnesses to a World Crisis:
Historians and Histories of the Middle East in the Seventh Century”,
Oxford, 2010.
The Armenian History attributed to Sebeos translated, with notes,
by R. W. THOMSON Historical commentary by JAMES HOWARD-JOHNSTON Assistance from
TIM GREENWOOD, Liverpool University Press, 1999’dan
[CHAPTER 42]
[The abolition of the Sasanian (line) which had held power for 542
years. The Jews betake themselves to the Ismaelites. The appearance of Mahmet
and his uniting the Ismaelites. The first battle between the Greeks and
Ismaelites in Arabia. Defeat of the Greeks; they take the Cross in fight to
Constantinople. The Ismaelites rule over Egypt; another army of Ismaelites takes Ctesiphon. Eclipse of the kingdom of the Persians. Death
of Heraclius and the reign of his son Constantine. Entry of the sons of Ismael
into Armenia. Capture of Dvin and captivity of 35,000 men from Dvin. Office of
patrik of T‘eodoros Rshtuni. The Ismaelites plunder many lands as far as the
borders of India.]
I shall speak of the stock of Abraham, not of the free one but of
that born from the handmaiden, concerning which the unerring divine word was
ful¢lled: ‘His hands on all, and the hands of all on him.’
Then the twelve tribes of all the clans of the Jews went and
gathered at the city of Edessa. When they saw that the Persian army had departed
from them and had left the city in peace, they shut the gate and forti¢ed
themselves within. They did not allow the army of the Roman empire to enter
among them. Then the Greek king Heraclius ordered it to be besieged. When they
realized that they were unable to resist him in battle, they parleyed for peace
with him. Opening the gates of the city, they went and stood before him. Then
he ordered them to go and remain in each one’s habitation, and they departed.
Taking desert roads, they went to Tachkastan, to the sons of Ismael, summoned
them to their aid and informed them of their blood relationship through the
testament of scripture. But although the latter were persuaded of their close
relationship, yet they were unable to bring about agreement within their great
number, because their cults were divided from each other.
[135] At that time a certain man from among those same sons of
Ismael whose name was Mahmet, a merchant, as if by God’s command appeared to
them as a preacher [and] the path of truth. He taught them to recognize the God
of Abraham, especially because he was learned and informed in the history of
Moses.Now because the command was from on high, at a single order they all came
together in unity of religion. Abandoning their vain cults, they turned to the
living God who had appeared to their father Abraham. So Mahmet legislated for
them: not to eat carrion, not to drink wine, not to speak falsely, and not to
engage in fornication. He said: ‘With an oath God promised this land to Abraham
and his seed after him for ever. And he brought about as he promised during
that time while he loved Israel. But now you are the sons of Abraham, and God
is accomplishing his promise to Abraham and his seed for you. Love sincerely
only the God of Abraham, and go and seize your land which God gave to your
father Abraham. No one will be able to resist you in battle, because God is
with you.’
All the remnants of the people of the sons of Israel gathered and
united together; they formed a large army. Following that [136] they sent
messages to the Greek king, saying: ‘God gave that land to our father Abraham
as a hereditary possession and to his seed after him. We are the sons of
Abraham. You have occupied our land long enough. Abandon it peacefully and we
shall not come into your territory. Otherwise, we shall demand that possession
from you with interest.’
Then they all gathered in unison "from Ewila as far as Sur,
whichis opposite Egyp" ; and they went from the desert of Paran, 12 tribes
according to the tribes of the families of their patriarchs. They divided the
12,000 men, like the sons of Israel, into their tribes -a thousand men from
each tribe- to lead them into the land of Israel. They set off, camp by camp
according to each one’s patriarchal line: ‘Nabeut‘, Kedar, Abdiwl, Mabsam,
Masmay, Iduma, Mase· , K‘oldad,T‘eman, Yetur, Nap‘es and Kedmay. These are the
tribes of Ismael.’ They reached Erabovt‘ of Moab in the territory of Ruben, for
the Greek army had camped in Arabia. Falling on them unexpectedly, they put
them to the sword, and put to fight Teodos the brother of the emperor
Heraclius. Then they returned and camped in Arabia.
All the remnants of the people of the sons of Israel gathered
andunited together; they formed a large army. Following that [136] they sent
messages to the Greek king, saying: "God gave that land to our father
Abraham as a hereditary possession and to his seed after him. We are the sons
of Abraham. You have occupied our land long enough. Abandon it peacefully and we
shall not come into your territory. Other wise, we shall demand that possession
from you with interest.
But the emperor did not agree. He did not respond appropriately to
their message, but said: ‘This land is mine, your lot of inheritance is the
desert. Go in peace to your land.’ He began to collect troops, about 70,000,
appointed as general over them one of his trusted eunuchs, and ordered them to
go to Arabia. He commanded them not to ¢ght with them, but to look to their own
defence until he should have gathered other troops to send to their assistance.
But when they reached the Jordan and crossed into Arabia, they left their camps
on the river bank and went on foot to attack their army. The latter posted part
of their force in ambush on either side, and arranged the multitude of their
tents around their camp. Bringing up the herds of camels, they tethered them
around the camp and their tents, and bound their feet with cords. This was the
forti¢cation of their camp. The others, though wearied from their march, were
able at certain places to penetrate the forti¢cation of the camp, and began to
slaughter them. Unexpectedly, those lying in ambush rose up from their places
and attacked them. Fear of the Lord fell on the Greek army, and they turned in
£ight before them. But they could not £ee, because of the density of the sand,
since their feet sank in up to their shins; and there was great distress from
the heat of the sun, and the enemy’s sword pursued them. So all the generals
fell and were slain. The number of the fallen was more than 2,000. A few of
them escaped and £ed to a place of refuge.
They [the Ismaelites] crossed the Jordan and camped at Jericho. Then
dread of them fell on all the inhabitants of the land, and they all submitted
to them. That night the people of Jerusalem took in £ight the Lord’s Cross and
all the vessels of the churches of God. Setting sail on the sea in ships, they
brought them to the palace of Constantinople. Then, having requested an oath
from them, they submitted to them.
But the Greek king could raise no more troops to oppose them. So
they divided their forces into three parts. One part went to Egypt and seized
[the country] as far as Alexandria. One part was in the north, opposing the
Greek empire. And in the twinkling [137] of an eye they occupied [the land]
from the edge of the sea as far as the bank of the great river Euphrates; and
on the other side of the river [they occupied] Urha and all the cities of
Mesopotamia. The third part [went] to the east, against the kingdom of Persia.
The Persian kingdom was eclipsed at that time, and their army was
divided into three parts.Then the army of Ismael, which had gathered in the
regions of the east, went and besieged Ctesiphon, because there the Persian
king was residing. The army of the land of the Medes gathered under the command
of their general Rostom, 80,000 armed men, and marched to do battle with them.
Then they left the city and crossed to the other side of the river Tigris. The
others also crossed the river and pursued them closely, but the former did not
stop until they reached their own borders, the village called Hert'ichan.The
latter pressed hard behind them,and they camped on the plain. The Armenian
general Mushel Mamikonean, son of Dawit', was also there with 3,000 fully-armed
men; and prince Grigor, lord of Siwnik', with a thousand. A mutual attack
ensued. The Persian army fled before them, but they pursued them and put them
to the sword. All the leading nobles were killed, and the general Rostom was
also killed. They also slew Mushel with his two nephews, and Grigor lord of
Siwnik' with one son. The others escaped inflight to their own country.
When the survivors of the Persian army reached Atrpatakan,they
gathered together in one place and installed Khorokhazat as their general. He
hastened to Ctesiphon, took all the treasures of the kingdom, the inhabitants
of the cities, and their king, and made haste to bring them to Atrpatakan.
After they had set out and had gone some distance, unexpectedly the Ismaelite
army attacked them. Terrified,they abandoned the treasures and the inhabitants
of the city, and fled. Their king also fled and took refuge with the army of
the south. But these [the Ismaelites] took all the treasure and returned to
Ctesiphon, taking also the inhabitants of the cities,and they ravaged the whole
land.
Then the blessed Heraclius completed his life at a good old age.
The days of his reign were 30 years. He made his son Constantine swear to
exercise [mercy] on all the transgressors whom he had ordered to be exiled, and
to restore them [138| to each one's place. He also made him swear regarding the
aspet that he would bring him and his wife and children back, and establish him
in his former rank."If he should wish to go to his own country, I have
[so] sworn to him. Let not my oath be false. Release him, and let him go in
peace."
Now when the sons of Ismael went to the east from the desert of
Sin, their king Amr did not go with them. Being victorious in battle, they
defeated both kingdoms; they occupied [the land] from Egypt as far as the great
Taurus mountain, and from the western sea as far as Media and Khuzhastan. Then
they penetrated with royal armies into the original borders of the territory of
Ismael. The king commanded ships and many sailors to be gathered, to cross the
sea to the south-east: to Pars, Sakastan, Sind, Krman, [and] the land of Kuran
and Makuran as far as the borders of India. So the troops rapidly made
preparations and carried out their orders. They burned the whole land; and
taking booty and plunder they returned. After making raids over the waves of
the sea, they came back to their own places.
This we heard from men who had been taken as captives to
Khuzhastan, [from] Tachkastan. Having been themselves eyewitnesses of these
events, they gave thisaccount to us.
[CHAPTER 43]
[Concerning the Jews and their wicked plots]
I shall also speak about the plots of the rebellious Jews, who
after gaining help from the Hagarenes for a brief while, decided to rebuild the
temple of Solomon. Finding the spot called Holy of Holies, they rebuilt it with
base and constructionas a place for their prayers. But the Ismaelites, being
envious of them, expelled them from that place and called the same house of
prayer their own. Then the former builtin another spot, right at the base of
the temple, another place for their prayer. There they proposed their evil
plot, desiring to fill Jerusalem from end to end with blood and to exterminate
all the Christians from Jerusalem.
Now a certain man from among the great ones of Ismael came to
worship at theplace of their prayer alone. Three of the leading Jews
encountered him; they had killed two pigs which they had brought to the place
of prayer, and whose blood they had scattered on the walls and floor of the
building. When the man saw them, he stopped and said something to them. They
responded, passed by him, and departed. As soon as he had entered inside to
pray, he saw the wicked deed, and immediately turned back to seize the men.
Since he could not find them, he kept silent and went home. Then many people
entered, saw the crime, and broke the news to the city. The Jews informed the
prince that Christians had defiled the place of prayer. The prince gave an
order, and they assembled all the Christians. While they were intending to put
them to the sword, the man came, stood before them and said: "Why would
you shed so much blood unjustly? Order all the Jews to be gathered, and I shall
point out the guilty ones." When they had assembled them all, he went into
their midst and identified the three men who had met him. Having seized them,
they condemned them with fearful penalties until they revealed the plot.
Because theirp rince was from among the Jews, he ordered six men to be killed,
the ring-leaders of the plot. The others he let go to their own homes.
[CHAPTER 44]638
[The death of Constantine and reign of Heraclius, son of Heraclius
by his second wife. Valentinus comes to Constantinople and installs as king
Constans, son of Constantine. War between Persians and Ismaelites in the
province of Media, and defeat of the Persians. The Ismaelite brigand in
accordance with the prediction of the prophet Daniel. Wicked plot of Valentinus
and his death. Return from exile of the aspet, son of Shum Khosrov. T‘umas
seizes T‘eodoros by deceit, and sends him in bonds to Constantinople. T‘eodoros
is vindicated and returns to Armenia with the rank of general. The aspet flees
from Constantinople, but submits again to the Greeks with the title of
curopalates; his death. Division of the army of Ismael into three sections and
their invasion of Ayrarat, the region of Sephakan gund, and Aluank‘.]
…
It happened in the first year of Constans king of the Greeks, and
in the tenth year of Yazkert king of the Persians, that the Persian army of 60,000
fully armed men assembled to oppose Ismael. The Ismaelites put in the field
against them 40,000 armed with swords; and they joined battle with each other
in the province of Media. For three days the battle continued, while the
infantry of both sides diminished. Suddenly the Persian army was informed that
an army had come to the support of the Ismaelites. The Persian troops fled from
their camp all through the night. The survivors of the Ismaelite army attacked
them in the morning, but they found no one in the camp. Spreading forays across
the whole land, they put man and beast to the sword. Capturing 22 fortresses,
they slaughtered all the living beings in them.
Who could describe the fearful calamity of the Ismaelite brigand
who set fire to sea and land? However, the blessed Daniel had earlier
prophesied such a disaster which befell the land. Through four beasts he
indicated the four kingdoms which would arise on earth. First of all the
kingdom of the west, the beast in human form, which is that of the Greeks. This
is clear from his saying: “The thick wings were plucked, and it was
exterminated from the earth.” He speaks about the extermination of devilish
idolatry: “And it stood as on the feet of a man, and the heart of a man was
given it.” “And behold the second beast was like a bear, and it stood to one
side”, to the east; [142] he means the Sasanian kingdom. “Having three ribs in
its mouth”, the kingdoms of the Persians, Medes and Parthians. This is clear
from what they were saying to him: “Arise, eat the flesh of many”, just as it
ate, as all know. “Now the third beast was like a leopard; there were four
wings of a bird on it, and the beast had four heads.” He means the kingdom of
the north, Gog and Magog and their two companions, to which was given authority
to fly powerfully in their time in the northern regions. “The fourth beast was
fearful and amazing, and its teeth were of iron, and its claws of bronze. It
ate and broke in pieces, and crushed the remnants under foot. This fourth,
arising from the south, is the kingdom of Ismael,
just as the archangel explained: “The fourth beast, the fourth
kingdom, shall arise, which shall be greater than all [other] kingdoms; and it
will consume the whole earth.” “And the ten horns, the ten kings, shall arise.
And after them will rise up another who is greater in evil than all the
previous ones”; and what follows in order.
…
When the next year came round the Ismaelite army came to Atrpa-
takan and split into three. One division [went] to Ayrarat, one division to the
region of Sephakan gund, and one division to Aluank'. Now those in Sephakan
gund spread raids over that entire region with the sword, and took plunder
and captives. They gathered in Herewan and attacked the fortress, but were
unable to take it. They came to Ordspu, and it too they were unable to take.
They left there and camped in Artsap'k', facing the fortress beside the water.
They began to attack the fortress, but suffered many losses from the fortress.
These [defenders of the fortress] had at their rear an exit at the top on the
side of the summit which is called Kakhanaktuts'. So some men descended through
this down from the fortress to seek from the fortress of Darawnk' a force in
their support. Smbat Bagratuni, son of Varaz Sahak, gave them 40 men. Departing
at night they entered the fortress, but did not guard the spot. When the
Ismaelites discovered the place [of entry] they followed the same path and
entered the fortress. They held the place until the morning. They seized ten
guards of the place while they slept, and slew them.
[CHAPTER 45]
[T‘eodoros Rshtuni smites the Ismaelites, and releases the booty
and captives which they had taken in Artsap‘k‘. Another army of Ismaelites
strikes with the sword from Ayrarat to the borders of Tayk‘, Iberia, and Aluank‘. Naval battle by Constantinople and disastrous defeat of the
Ismaelites. The emperor Constans makes peace with Muawiya. Building of the
church in the name of the Angels. Accusation by the Greek army against the
Armenians concerning matters of faith. Command from Constans to make union of
faith with the Romans. Church council concerning the question of union.]
In the second year of Constans, in the month Hori on the 23rd day
of the month, on a Sunday at dawn, the Ismaelites raised a yell in the fortress
from one end to the other, and put them to the sword. Many jumped down and were
killed. They brought the women and children down from the fortress, intending
to slaughter them. The captives could not be counted, and there were very many
cattle. The next morning the general of Armenia, T'eodoros, attacked them with
his army; falling on them he inflicted an enormous slaughter. There were 3,000
fully armed men, the elite of all the Ismaelite troops, and none survived save
a few who escaped on foot and found safety in the fen. The Lord rescued on that
day the multitude of prisoners from the hands of the Ismaelites, and he crushed
Ismael with a great slaughter. Two princes of Ismael were killed, Ot'man and
Ogbay, and it was a great victory for the Armenian general. The Armenian
general had taken to Constans from the battle 100 select horses as a gift. When
the king received them, he and all the palace were very happy, and he returned
great thanks.
Then the army which was in the region of Ayrarat struck with the
sword as far as Tayk', Iberia, and Aluank', taking booty and prisoners. It
moved on to Nakhchawan to [join] the army which was attacking the fortress of
Nakhchawan. However, they were unable to take it. They did take the fortress of
Khram; [147] they slaughtered [its garrison] with the sword, and they
took captive the women and children. Then the [general] in the territory of
Palestine ordered many fleets to be prepared. He boarded a ship and undertook
an attack on Constantinople. The naval battle was not successful for him,
because the host of their army opposed him with ships and destroyed them on the
high seas.
They repelled many by fire, and drove off many in flight. However,
king Constans was terrified, and he reckoned it better to give tribute and make
peace through ambassadors, and bide his time that perchance through God's
propitiation he might look on the earth and have mercy on them. He began to
parley for peace through ambassadors, and the Ismaelites encouraged the Greeks
to complete the terms of the treaty. But the Greek king Constans, because he
was young, did not have the authority to carry this out without the agreement
of the army. He wrote to Procopius that he should go with it to Damascus to
meet Muawiya, prince of the Ismaelite army, and conclude the terms of the
treaty in accordance with the army's wishes. So when Procopius saw the royal
command and had heard the opinion of the army, he went with them to Damascus,
to Muawiya the prince of the Ismaelite army. He indicated the amount of tribute
and discussed the border. He received the treaty and departed. At that time
Nerses the Catholicos of Armenia decided to build his residence near to the
holy churches in the city of Valarshapat, on the road on which - they say -
king Trdat had met St Gregory. There he built a church in the name of the
Heavenly Angels, who had appeared as a multitude of heavenly hosts in the
vision of St Gregory. He built the church as a tall edifice, incomparably
wonderful, worthy of the divine honour to which he dedicated it. He brought
water, directed [a channel] of the river, and put to cultivation all the rough
ground. He planted vines and trees, and surrounded his residence with a high
wall, beautifully constructed, to the glory of God.
…
[CHAPTER 48]
[War of the Ismaelites against the Persians. Death of Yazkert.
Extinction of Sasanian rule. The Armenians submit to the Ismaelites under the
command of T'eodoros Rshtuni. The emperor Constans comes to Armenia; many of
the Armenian princes come to him and demonstrate their loyalty.]
In the twentieth year of Yazkert, king of Persia, in the eleventh
year of the emperor Constans who was called after the name of his father
Constan- tine, in the 19th year of the dominion of the Ismaelites, the army of
the Ismaelites which was in the land of Persia and of Khuzhastan marched
eastwards to the region of the land called Pahlaw, which is the land of the
Parthians, against Yazkert king of Persia. Yazkert fled before them, but was
unable to escape. For they caught up with him near the boundaries of the
K'ushans and slew all his troops. He fled and sought refuge among the troops of
the T'etalk', who had come to his support from those regions. [164] The prince
of the Medes - of whom I said above that he had gone to the east to their king
and, having rebelled, had fortified himself in some place - sought an oath from the Ismaelites and went
into the desert in submission to the Ismaelites. Then the army of the T'etalk'
seized Yazkert and slew him; he had governed the kingdom for 20 years. So was
extinguished the rule of the Persians and of the race of Sasan, which had held
sway for 542 years.Now when the king of Ismael saw the success of this victory
and that the Persian kingdom had been destroyed, after three years of the peace
treaty had fully passed he no longer wished to make peace with the king of the
Greeks. But he commanded his troops to conduct war by sea and land in order to
efface from the earth that kingdom as well, in the 12th year of the reign of
Constans.
In that same year the Armenians rebelled and removed themselves from
[allegiance to] the Greek kingdom and submitted to the king of Ismael.
T'eodoros, lord of Rshtunik', with all the Armenian princes made a pact with
death and contracted an alliance with hell, abandoning the divine covenant. Now
the prince of Ismael spoke with them and said: “Let this be the pact of my
treaty between me and you for as many years as you may wish. I shall not take
tribute from you for a three-year period. Then you will pay [tribute] with an
oath, as much as you may wish. You will keep in your country 15,000 cavalry,
and provide sustenance” from your country; and I shall reckon it in the royal
tax. I shall not request the cavalry for Syria; but wherever else I command
they shall be ready for duty. I shall not send amirs to [your] fortresses, nor
an Arab army - neither many, nor even down to a single cavalryman. An enemy
shall not enter Armenia; and if the Romans attack you I shall send you troops
in support, as many as you may wish. I swear by the great God that I shall not
be false.”
In this manner the servant of Anti-Christ split them away from the
Romans. For although the emperor wrote many intercessions and supplications to
them and summoned them to himself, they did not wish to heed him. Then he said:
“I am coming to the city of Karin. Do you come to me.” Or: “I am coming to you,
and I shall give you a subsidy as assistance; and we shall decide together what
is best to do.” Yet even so they did not wish to heed him.
[165] The complaint and murmuring of all the Roman troops concerning
the lord of Rshtunik' and the Armenians reached the king with regard to the
defeats which had occurred in Mardots'ek'. They said: They have united with the
Ismaelites. They reassured us, but had their troops dispersed in an invasion
into Atrpatakan. Then they brought them upon us unexpectedly and caused them to
defeat us. Everything we had was there lost. But let us go to Armenia and
investigate our affairs.
…
All the princes explained to the king the intention and plan for
rebellion of the lord of Rshtunik', and the frequent coming and going to him of
the messengers of Ismael.
…
[CHAPTER 49]
[Concerning the Catholicos of Armenia, Nerses; he and other bishops
communicate with the Romans out offear. One of the bishops is forced by the
emperor to communicate with the Catholicos. Return of Constans to
Constantinople. Flight of Nerses from the Armenian princes. T'eodoros Rshtuni
defeats the Greek army, takes Trebizond, goes to Muawiya, and receives office
of prince over Armenia, Iberia, Aluank' and Siwnik'. Preparation of the
Ismaelites to capture Constantinople.]
…
|169| So T'eodoros, lord of Rshtunik',
remained in his lair on the island of Alt'amar, he and his son-in-law Hamazasp,
lord of the Mami- koneank'. He requested for himself troops from the
Ismaelites, and 7,000 men came to his support. He installed them in Aliovit and
Bznunik', and went himself to join them and remained among them.
When the days of winter had
passed and it was near to the great Easter, the Romans fled and entered Tayk'.
They were driven from there, and were unable to halt anywhere but went in their
flight close to the seashore. They ravaged all the land, captured the city of
Trebizond, and took away very large quantities of booty, plunder, and captives.
After this T'eodoros, the lord of Rshtunik', went to Muawiya the
prince of Ismael in Damascus, and visited him with grand presents. The prince
of Ismael gave him robes of gold embroidered with gold and a banner of his own
pattern. He gave him the rank of prince of Armenia, Iberia, Aluank', and
Siwnik', as far as the Caucasus mountain and the Pass of Chor. Then he
dismissed him with honour. He had made a pact with him to bring that land into
subjection. In the 11th year of Constans the treaty between Constans and
Muawiya, prince of Ismael, was broken. The king of Ismael ordered all his
troops to assemble in the west and to wage war against the Roman empire, so
that they might take Constantinople and exterminate that kingdom as well.
[CHAPTER 50]
[Letter of the king of Ismael to Constans, king of the Greeks.
Muawiya comes to Chalcedon. A tempest destroys and scatters the fleet of the
Ismaelites; the Ismaelite army abandons Chalcedon. Another army of Ismaelites,
which invades Iberia, is repelled by a winter storm. The princes of Armenia
unite and divide Armenia among themselves. Distress of the people.]
All the troops who were in the east assembled: from Persia, Khuz-
hastan, from the region of India, Aruastan, and from the region of Egypt [they
came] to Muawiya, the prince of the army who resided in Damascus. They prepared
warships in Alexandria and in all the coastal cities. They filled the ships
with arms and artillery - 300 great ships with a thousand elite cavalry for
each ship. He ordered 5,000 light ships to be built, and he put in them [only]
a few men for the sake of speed, 100 men for each ship, so that they might
rapidly dart to and fro over the waves of the sea around the very large ships.
These he sent over the sea, while he himself took his troops with him and
marched to Chalcedon. When he penetrated the whole land, all the inhabitants of
the country submitted to him, those on the coast and in the mountains and on
the plains. On the other hand, the host of the Roman army entered
Constantinople to guard the city. The destroyer reached Chalcedon in the 13th
year of Constans. He kept the many light ships ready at the seashore, so that
when the very heavy ships might arrive at Chalcedon he could rapidly go to
their support. And he had the letter of their king taken into the city to
Constans.
The king received the letter, went into the house of God, fell on
his face and said: 'See, Lord, the insults which these Hagarenes have inflicted
upon you. "May your pity, Lord, be upon us, as we hope in you."
"Fill their faces with indignity, and they will seek your name, Lord. They
will be put to shame and disquieted for ever and ever; and they will perish full
of shame. They will know that your name is Lord, and you only are raised on
high over all the earth." He lifted the crown from his head, stripped off
his purple [robes] and put on sackcloth, sat on ashes, and ordered a fast to be
proclaimed in Constantinople in the manner of Nineveh.
[171] Behold the great ships arrived at Chalcedon from Alexandria
with all the small ships and all their equipment. For they had stowed on board
the ships mangonels, and machines to throw fire, and machines to hurl stones,
archers and slingers, so that when they reached the wall of the city they might
easily descend onto the wall from the top of towers, and break into the city.
He ordered the ships to be deployed in lines and to attack the city.
When they were about two stades distance from the dry land, then
one could see the awesome power of the Lord. For the Lord looked down from
heaven with the violence of a fierce wind, and there arose a storm, a great
tempest, and the sea was stirred up from the depths below. Its waves piled up high
like the summits of very high mountains, and the wind whirled around over them;
it crashed and roared like the clouds, and there were gurglings from the
depths. The towers collapsed, the machines were destroyed, the ships broke up,
and the host of soldiers were drowned in the depths of the sea. The survivors
were dispersed on planks over the waves of the sea. Cast hither and thither in
the tossing of the waves, they perished; for the sea opened its mouth and
swallowed them. There remained not a single one of them. On that day by his
upraised arm God saved the city through the prayers of the pious king Constans.
For six days the violence of the wind and the turbulence of the sea did not
cease.
When the Ismaelites saw the fearsome hand of the Lord, their hearts
broke. Leaving Chalcedon by night, they went to their own land. The other army,
which was quartered in Cappadocia, attacked the Greek army. But the Greeks
defeated them, and it fled to Aruastan pillaging Fourth Armenia.
After the autumn had passed and winter was approaching, the army of
Ismael came and took up quarters at Dvin. It was planning to put Iberia to the
sword. It parleyed with them in a threatening message, that they should either
submit to them, or abandon their country and depart. However, they did not
agree to do so, but prepared to oppose them in battle. So the Ismaelites moved
against them in war, to go and exterminate them completely. As they were
setting out on their way, cold and winter snow beset them. Therefore they
departed rapidly for Asorestan, and caused no harm to Armenia.
Now the Armenian princes, from both Greek and Arab territory,
Hamazasp and Mushel, and all the others, came together at one place and [172]
made a pact with each other that there should be no sword and shedding of blood
among them, and that they should pass in peace the days of winter, so that they
might safeguard the peasants. For the lord of Rshtunik' had fallen ill and
withdrawn to the island of Alt'amar. He was quite unable to come out or form
any plans. They divided the land according to the number of each one's cavalry,
and they appointed tax-gatherers for gold and silver.
Here one could see the anguished affliction like that of the sick
when illness seizes them and they are deprived of speech. Something of that
sort happened. For there was no place for flight or refuge for the populace,
nor mercy from above; but it was as if one might fall into the sea and be
unable to find a way out.
Now when the lord of Rshtunik' saw this, he requested for himself
troops from the Ismaelites in order to strike the Armenian [troops] and expel
them, and to put the Iberians to the sword.
[CHAPTER 51]
[Rebellion of the Medes from the Ismaelites. Collapse of the power
of the Ismaelites beyond the Chor Pass, and flight of the survivors across the
difficult (terrain) of the Caucasus mountain.]
In that year the Medes rebelled from submission to Ismael and
killed the chief of the tax-collectors of the king of Ismael. They made their
refuge and retreat the fastnesses of the land of Media, the deep forested
valleys, the precipices, the rocks, the rugged, difficult terrain along the
river Gaz and the mountain range of Media, and the strength of those active and
intrepid peoples who inhabited them, Gel and Delum.
They were unable to endure their cruel and oppressive subjection
and the burden of the tax imposed on them. For they took from them each year
365 sacks of drams. As for those who could not pay, they took for each dram
one man, and they abolished the cavalry and the office of prince of the
country. Therefore, preferring death to life, they weighed their situation in
the balance to attain one of two alternatives - either to die or to be freed
from cruel servitude. They began to bring together the surviving militia and to
organize battalions, in the hope that they might be able to escape from the
teeth of the dragon and from the cruel beast.
The host of the army of Ismael saw that their enterprise was not
succeeding in the difficult mountains of Media, because the Ket'rus and
Scythians, who are the Gelk' and Delumk', [173] had not submitted to them, with
all the multitude of the mountain dwellers. Many had perished in the rough
terrain and deep valleys by falling down from precipices, while many had been
wounded by arrows in the impenetrable fens by the valiant and brave warriors.
So they hastened away from those regions and made for the north, towards the
people by the Caspian Gates. They reached the Pass of Chor, and crossing within
the pass, they ravaged all the country along the foot of the mountain. There
came out against them a small army [from the place] which they call the Gate of
the Huns - for they were the guards of that place - and defeated them.
There came another army from the territory of the T'etalk'. They joined
battle with a great shock, and the Ismaelite army suffered defeat from the army
of the T'etalk'. They smote them and put them to the sword. The fleeing
survivors were unable to escape through the pass, because another army of
theirs came up behind them. So they made for the mountain, for the difficult
terrain of the Caucasus mountain. With the greatest difficulty they came out
through the ridges of the mountain. Only a few, escaping by the skin of their
teeth, naked and unshod, on foot and wounded, reached the area of Ctesiphon,
their own homeland.
[CHAPTER 52]
[Mushel Mamikonean
submits to the Ismaelites. T‘eodoros Rshtuni and other princes submit to the
Ismaelites. Battle between Greeks and Ismaelites at Nakhchawan, and destruction
of the Greeks. Capture of Karin; ravaging of the lands of Armenia, Aluank‘, and Siwnik‘ by the Ismaelites, and the giving of hostages. Deathof
T‘eodoros Rshtuni. Hamazasp Mamikonean is appointed prince of Armenia. The Catholicos
Nerses returns to the throne of the Catholicosate and completes the
construction of the church of Zuart‘- nots‘. The Armenians rebel from the
Ismaelites; slaughter of the hostages. Mushel Mamikonean abandons his submission to the Ismaelites and is
summoned to the palace. Disturbance among the Ismaelite army; their division
into four parts and mutual slaughter. The victory of Muawiya over his
opponents, his sole rule and making of peace. Conclusion.]
Then Mushel, lord of the Mamikoneank', rebelled from the Greeks and
submitted to Ismael. In the same year the army of Ismael that was quartered in
Armenia took control of the whole land from end to end. T'eodoros, lord of
Rshtunik', and all the princes of the country submitted in unison, and in every
way hastened to carry out their desires, because fear of a dreadful death hung
over them.
In that year through the envy of his brother the blessed [174] and
pious Artavazd Dimak'sean was betrayed and handed over to the merci less
executioner, the general called Habib who resided in Aruch of Ashnak. He put
him to death in an exceedingly cruel fashion.
It was the days of piercing winter cold, and the Greeks were
pressing hard on them. From the cold they could not come out to offer them
battle, but unexpectedly crossed the river and went and fortified themselves in
Zarehawan. When the Greeks saw that, they paid no attention to them, but sacked
the fortress of Dvin and went on to Nakhchawan. They attacked the fortress in
order to pillage it too. The general of the Greek army was a certain Mawrianos,
who they said was a trustworthy man.
Now when the springtime arrived he made preparations for battle
with the army of Ismael. Mawrianos obstinately planned to finish his own
undertaking. The Arabs attacked the Greeks who were assaulting the fortress of
Nakhchawan. They defeated them, slew them with the sword, and put the survivors
to flight. Mawrianos fled and took refuge in Iberia. Then the army of Ismael
turned back from them, besieged the city of Karin, and attacked its
[inhabitants]. The latter, unable to offer military resistance, opened the gates
of the city and submitted. Having entered the city, they collected gold and
silver and all the large amount of the city's wealth. They ravaged all the land
of Armenia, Aluank', and Siwnik', and stripped all the churches. They seized as
hostages the leading princes of the country, and the wives, sons, and daughters
of many people.
T'eodoros, lord of Rshtunik', with his relatives, departed with
them. They took them down to Asorestan. There T'eodoros, lord of Rshtunik',
died. His body was brought to his own province and buried in the tomb of his
fathers. Hamazasp, lord of the Mamikoneank', son of Dawit', held the position
of prince of Armenia, a virtuous man in all respects. He was a domesticated
man, a lover of reading and study. But he was not trained and experienced in
the details of military skill in the fashion of his ancestral family; he had
not engaged in combat or seen the faces of the enemy. So he began to be zealous
for the valiant character of his ancestral house, to carry out with fervent
haste acts of bravery in accordance with the abilities of his ancestors,
seeking from On High leadership and success for his own valour.
…
Then when the king of Ismael saw that the Armenians had withdrawn
from submission to them, they put to the sword all the hostages whom they had
brought from that land, about 1,775 people. A few were left, in number about
22, who had not happened to be at that spot; they alone survived. But Mushel,
lord of the Mamikoneank', because he had four sons among the hostages with the
Ismaelites, was therefore unable to withdraw from their service. And Hamazasp
had a brother among the hostages. So [the Ismaelites] requested him and still
others from among the princes [to go] to them in Syria with their wives.
Therefore, reckoning death better than life, they withdrew from submission to
them, and through precipitate negotiations submitted to the king of the Greeks
in unison with the prince and the army of Aluank' and the princes of Siwnik'
with their country. These had previously been included in the census of
Atrpatakan, until the kingdom of the Persians had been destroyed and the
Ismaelites ruled. These were then subdued and included with Armenia. They took
prisoner Mushel and others of the princes who were with him. The king ordered
them to release the other princes those who had been made captive; but Mushel
he requested [to be sent] to himself.
Now God sent a disturbance amongst the armies of the sons of
Ismael, and their unity was split. They fell into mutual conflict and divided
into four sections. One part [was composed of] those in the direction of India;
one part, those who occupied Asorestan and the north; |176| one part, those in
Egypt and in the regions of the T'etalk'; one part in the territory of the
Arabs and the place called Askarawn. They began to fight with each other and to
kill each other with enormous slaughter. The [army] in Egypt and that in the
area of the Arabs united; they killed their king, plundered the multitude of
treasures, and installed another king. Then they went to their respective
areas. That prince who was in the region of Asorestan, their prince called
Muawiya, was the second after their king. When he saw what had occurred, he
brought together his troops, went himself as well into the desert, slew that
other king whom they had installed,942 waged war with the army in the region of
the Arabs, and inflicted great slaughter on them. He returned very victoriously
to Asorestan. But the army which was in Egypt united with the king of the
Greeks, made a treaty, and joined him. The host of troops, about 15,000,
believed in Christ and were baptized. The blood of the slaughter of immense
multitudes flowed thickly among the armies of Ismael. Warfare afflicted them as
they engaged in mutual carnage. They were unable to refrain for the least
moment from the sword and captivity and fierce battles by sea and by land,
until Muawiya prevailed and conquered. Having brought them into submission to
himself, he rules over the possessions of the sons of Ismael and makes peace
with all. [176, line 21]
Fransızca;
https://remacle.org/bloodwolf/historiens/sebeos/heraclius.htm#_ftnref327
[1]
Divin antik kenti Kars il sınırına çok yakın bir yerdedir. Kars merkeze 42 km
uzaklıkta olup Ani Harabeleri yakınlarında Aras Nehri kenarında kurulmuştur.
