The First of Early Modern Armenian Diplomats: Rethinking Abgar Dpir's Contribution to Armenian National History
Ghazaryan, Flora · 2025
Takes up the understudied field of early modern Armenian diplomacy through the neglected case of Abgar Dpir's 1562 delegation to Rome, a turning point that provoked aggressive Vatican intervention and deepened the confessional split between Catholic and Apostolic Armenians. Ghazaryan unpicks the mission's motives, allowing for the divergent aims of the parties involved. She argues that Abgar Dpir was not of royal descent, and that the royal pedigree was manufactured by Etchmiadzin's leadership to fit him into the Western 'society of princes' and give the delegation a hearing. She further contends that his celebrated printing activity functioned as cover for the diplomatic mission.
Read the publication ↗Citation
Ghazaryan, Flora 2025. The First of Early Modern Armenian Diplomats: Rethinking Abgar Dpir's Contribution to Armenian National History. Matenadaran: Medieval and Early Modern Armenian Studies (MEMAS), Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 97–115 (Mesrop Mashtots Matenadaran / Brepols); eISSN 3041-5063.
What this offers a reader
A revisionist account of the man usually credited as the first Armenian printer.
Engages the 'new diplomatic history'; argues the printing was cover for statecraft.
The first Armenian printer may really have been the first Armenian diplomat.
Was Armenia's first printer actually on a secret diplomatic mission?
Topics
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