When determining the time of creation of medieval historiographical monu¬ments, the authors’ own evidence is of primary importance. On this basis, “History of Armenia” by Agathangelos, since the 5th century, has been traditionally considered the first Armenian historiographical work and was dated back to the 4th century. However, the evidence of historians sometimes does not correspond to the reality.

KeywordsAgathangelos “History of Armenia” historiography political agen¬da dating of a monument political motivation Gregory the Illuminator Khorenatsi Koryun “Golden Age”

At the turn of the fourth and fifth centuries, confronted with emerging threats, Armenian political thought formed a nationwide agenda for preserving the national statehood and spiritual authority recognizing the complete and final spread of Christianity and its transformation into the faith and core of Armenian identity as the means of solving this agenda. Historians of the fifth century portray the spread of Christianity in Armenia as a deeply disconsolate situation, explaining it by the lack of the Armenian translation of the Bible. In reality, there were far more serious obstacles that historians do not mention.

KeywordsAgathangelos “History of Armenia” political agenda religious situation national identity military estate ecclesiastical authority Bible translation.