Syriac Sasanian Sources

General

• J. Labourt, Le christianisme dans l'empire perse sous la dynaste Sassanide (224-632). Paris: Lecoffre, 1904.
• W. A. Wigram, An Introduction to the history of the Assyrian Church or the Church of the Sassanid Persian Empire 100-640 A.D. London: Christian Knowledge Society, 1910.
• J. - M. Fiey, Jalons pour une histoire de l'église en Iraq. Louvain: Secretariat du Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium, 1970.
• W. G. Young, “Patriarch, shah and caliph: a study of the relationships of the Church of the East with the Sassanid Empire and the early Caliphates up to 820 A.D. with special reference to available translated Syriac sources”, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, 1974.
• S. Gero, Barsauma of Nisibis and Persian Christianity in the Fifth Century. Louvain: Secretariat du Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium, 1981.
• M. - L. Chaumont, La christianisation de l'empire iranien des origines aux grandes persecutions du IVe siecle. Louvain: Peeters, 1988.
• For briefer introductions, see the following
  • J. P. Asmussen, “Christians in Iran”, in The Cambridge history of Iran Vol. 3,2 The Seleucid, Parthian and Sasanian periods, vol. 2, E. Yarshater, Ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983, pp. 924–948, 1355–1357.
  • S. P. Brock, “Christians in the Sasanid Empire: A Case of Divided Loyalties”, Aldershot: Ashgate Variorum, 1984.
  • G. Widengren and Lanciotti, L., “The Nestorian Church in Sasanian and Early Post-Sasanian Iran”, in Incontro di religioni in Asia tra il III e X secolo d.C, Firenzi: Olschki, 1984, pp. 1-30.
  • A. V. Williams, “Zoroastrians and Christians in Sasanian Iran”, Bulletin of the John Rylands Library Manchester, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 37–53, 1996.

On Sources

• S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.
• S. P. Brock, “Syriac Historical Writing: A Survey of the Main Sources”, Journal of the Iraqi Academy, Syriac Corporation, vol. 5, pp. 297-326, 1979.
• M. Morony, Iraq after the Muslim Conquest . Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1984.. See especially M. Morony, “Resources”, in Iraq after the Muslim Conquest, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1984, pp. 537–654. Esp. 561f, 620–32.
• P. Nagel, “Grundzüge syrischer Geschichtsschreibung”, Berliner Byzantinische Arbeiten, vol. 55, pp. 245-259, 1990.
• J. R. Russell, “Christianity i. in Pre-Islamic Persia: Literary Sources”, in Encyclopaedia Iranica, vol. 5, Costa Mesa: Mazda, 1992, pp. 523-528.
• G. Widengren, “Sources of Parthian and Sasanian History”, in The Cambridge history of Iran Vol. 3,2 The Seleucid, Parthian and Sasanian periods, vol. 2, E. Yarshater, Ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983, pp. 1261–1283. Esp. 1276–1278.

Chronicles

• Chronicle of Seert:
  • A. Scher, “Histoire Nestorienne Inédite (Chronique de Séert): Premère partie (I)”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1908, pp. 213-312.
  • A. Scher, “Histoire Nestorienne Inédite (Chronique de Séert): Premère partie (II)”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1910, pp. 217-344.
  • A. Scher, “Histoire Nestorienne Inédite (Chronique de Séert): Seconde partie (I)”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1911, pp. 95-203.
  • A. Scher, “Histoire Nestorienne Inédite (Chronique de Séert): Seconde partie (II)”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1919, pp. 435-639.
    • Index to part I: PO 5, 335–42
    • Index to part II: J. - M. Fiey, “Table des noms propres de la seconde partie de la “Chronique de Seert"”, Mélanges de l’Université Saint-Joseph, vol. 42, pp. 199-218, 1966.
• Chronicle of Karka d-Bet Slokh: see J. - M. Fiey, “Vers la réhabilitation de l'histoire de Karka d'Bét Slōḫ”, Analecta Bollandiana, vol. 82, pp. 189–222, 1964.
• Khuzistan Chronicle: ed. + Latin translation,
  • I. Guidi, Ed., Chronica Minora [Text]. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1903.
  • I. Guidi, Ed., Chronica Minora [Translation]. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1903.
  • German translation: T. Nöldeke, “Die von Guidi herausgegebene syrische Chronik”, Sitzungsberichte der philosophisch-historischen Classe der kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, vol. 128, 1893.
  • Translation + commentary: B. Haddad, Sharbe medem men qlisiastiqe wad-qosmostiqe. Baghdad: Sharikat al-Dīwān lil-Ṭibāʻah, 1976.
• Chronicle of Arbela:
  • ed. + French translation: A. Mingana, Ed., Mšiḥa-Zkha (texte et traduction); Bar-Penkayé (texte). Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1908.
  • ed. + German translation: 
    • P. Kawerau, Die Chronik von Arbela [Text], vol. 1, 2 vol. Louvain: Secretariat du Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium, 1985.
    • P. Kawerau, Die Chronik von Arbela [Versio], vol. 2, 2 vol. Louvain: Secretariat du Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium, 1985.
  • Latin translation in F. Zorell, “Chronica Ecclesiae Arbelensis ex idiomate syriaco in latinum vertit”, Orientalia Christiana, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 143-204, 1927.
  • Cp. J. Assfalg, “Zur Textüberlieferung der Chronik von Arbela. Beobachtungen zu Ms. or. fol. 3126”, Oriens Christianus, vol. 50, pp. 19-36, 1966.
  • J. - M. Fiey, “Auteur et date de la Chronique d'Arbèl”, L'Orient Syrien, vol. 12, pp. 265-302, 1967.

Church Histories

• Barhadbeshabba `Arbaya: ed. + French translation 
  • F. Nau, Ed., “La seconde partie de l’histoire de Barḥadbešabba ‘Arbaïa et controverse de Théodore de Mopsueste avec les Macédoniens”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1913, pp. 177-343.
  • F. Nau, Ed., “La première partie de l’histoire de Barḥadbešabba ‘Arbaïa”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1932, pp. 177-343.
• Barhebraeus: ed. + Latin translation 
  • J. - B. Abbeloos and Lamy, T. J., Eds., Gregorii Barhebraei Chronicon ecclesiasticum, vol. 1, 3 vol. Louvain: Peeters, 1872.
  • J. - B. Abbeloos and Lamy, T. J., Eds., Gregorii Barhebraei Chronicon ecclesiasticum, vol. 2, 3 vol. Paris/Louvain: Maisonneuve/Peeters, 1874.
  • J. - B. Abbeloos and Lamy, T. J., Eds., Gregorii Barhebræi Chronicon ecclesiasticum, vol. 3, 3 vol. Paris/Louvain: Maisonneuve/Peeters, 1877.

Monastic Histories

• Isho`dnah, Liber Castitatis: ed. + French translation, J. - B. Chabot, “Le livre de la Chasteté composé par Jésusdenah, Évêque de Baçrah”, École Française de Rome. Mélanges d'archéologie et d'histoire, vol. 16, pp. 225-292, 1896.
• Thomas of Marga, Liber Superiorum: ed. + English translation 
  • E. A. W. Budge, Ed., The Book of Governors: The Historia Monastica of Thomas, Bishop of Margâ A.D. 840, Edited from Syriac Manuscripts in the British Museum and Other Libraries [Textus], vol. 1, 2 vol. London: Kegan, Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., 1893.
  • E. A. W. Budge, Ed., The Book of Governors: The Historia Monastica of Thomas, Bishop of Margâ A.D. 840, Edited from Syriac Manuscripts in the British Museum and Other Libraries [Versio], vol. 2, 2 vol. London: Kegan, Paul, Trench, Trübner, and co., 1893.
  • Arabic translation: A. Abouna, Kitāb al-ruʼasāʼ: wa-yatanāwalu akhbār unās fuḍalāʼ ʻāshū fī mukhtalif al-ajyāl fī dayr "Bayth ʻĀbī" al-muqaddas. Mosul: [Unidentified publisher], 1966.

Martyrdoms

General

• P. Peeters, “Le passionaire d'Adiabene”, Analecta Bollandiana, vol. 43, pp. 261–326, 1925.
• I. O. de Urbina, Patrologia Syriaca, 2nd ed. Rome: Pontifical Institute of Oriental Studies, 1965. 194–198 (Martyres Persiae); First edition: pp. 180-186.
• P. Devos, “Les martyrs persans à travers leurs actes syriaques”, in Atti del Convegno sul tema: la Persia e il mondo greco-romano (Roma 11-14 aprile 1965), Rome: Accademia nazionale dei Lincei, 1966, pp. 213-225.
• G. Wiessner, Untersuchungen zur syrischen Literaturgeschichte I: Zur Martyrerüberlieferung aus der Christenverfolgung Schapurs II. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1967.
  • Reviewed in S. P. Brock, “Review: Untersuchungen zur syrischen Literaturgeschichte I: Zur Märtyrerüberlieferung aus der Christenverfolgung Schapurs II. (Abhandlungen der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Göttingen, philologisch-historische Klasse, Dritte Folge, Nr. 67.)”, Journal of Theological Studies, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 300-309, 1968.
• P. Gignoux, “Titres et fonctions religieuses sassanides d'après les sources syriaques hagiographiques”, Acta antiqua Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, vol. 28, pp. 191–203, 1980.
  • Also in J. Harmatta, Ed., From Hecataeus to al-Ḫuwārizmī: Bactrian, Pahlavi, Sogdian, Persian, Sanskrit, Syriac, Arabic, Chinese, Greek and Latin sources for the history of pre-Islamic Central Asia. Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 1984.
• P. Gignoux, “Sur quelques relations entre chrétiens et mazdens d'après les sources syriaques”, Studia Iranica, vol. 28, pp. 83–94, 1999.
• J. Rist, “Die Verfolgung der christen im spätantiken Sassanidenreich: Ursachen, Verlauf, und Folgen”, Oriens Christianus, vol. 80, pp. 17-42, 1996.
• H. Burgess, “The dates of the martyrdom of Simeon bar Sabba'e and the "great massacre"”, Analecta Bollandiana, vol. 117, pp. 9-47, 1999.
• R. Mercier, “The Dates in the Syriac Martyr Acts”, Analecta Bollandiana, vol. 117, pp. 47–66, 1999.

Selections in Translation

• Simeon bar Sabba`e: ed. + Latin translation: M. Kmosko, Patrologia Syriaca 2 (2 versions):
  • M. Kmosko, “S. Simeon bar Sabba'e”, in Patrologa Syriaca, vol. 1.2, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1907, pp. cols. 714-960.
    • Link to col. 1056-1207
• Kardagh:
  • ed. + Latin translation, J. - B. Abbeloos, Ed., Acta Mar Kardaghi Assyriae praefecti, qui sub Sapore II martyr occubuit. Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus, 1890.
  • Cp also G. Wiessner, “Christlicher Heiligenkult im Umkreis eines sassanidischen Grosskönigs”, in Festgabe deutscher Iranisten zur 2500 Jahrfeier Irans, W. Eilers, Ed. Stuttgart: Hochwacht Druck, 1971, pp. 141-155.
• G. Hoffmann, Auszüge aus syrischen Akten persischer Martyrer. Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus, 1880.
• O. Braun, Ed., Ausgewählte Akten persischer Märtyrer, mit einem Anhung: Ostsyrisches Mönchsleben. Munich: Jos Kösel, 1915.
• S. P. Brock and Harvey, S. A., Holy Women of the Syrian Orient, vol. 13. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987.
• S. P. Brock, “A Martyr at the Sasanid Court under Vahran II: Candida”, Analecta Bollandiana , vol. 96, pp. 167-181, 1978.

Hagiography

• Life of Ahudemmeh: ed. + French translation, F. Nau, Ed., Histoires d’Ahoudemmeh et de Marouta, métropolitains jacobites de Tagrit et de l’Orient (VIe et VIIe siècles), suivies du traité d’Ahoudemmeh sur l’homme. Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1909.
• Life of Marutha: ed. + French translation, F. Nau, Ed., Histoires d’Ahoudemmeh et de Marouta, métropolitains jacobites de Tagrit et de l’Orient (VIe et VIIe siècles), suivies du traité d’Ahoudemmeh sur l’homme. Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1909.
• Lives of Rabban Hormizd and Rabban Bar Idta: ed. + English translation:
  • E. A. W. Budge, The histories of Rabban Hôrmîzd the Persian and Rabban Bar-'Idtâ [1: Text], vol. 1, 2 vol. London: Luzac, 1902.
  • E. A. W. Budge, The histories of Rabban Hôrmîzd the Persian and Rabban Bar-'Idtâ [2.1 Translation], vol. 2.1, 2 vol. London: Luzac, 1902.
  • E. A. W. Budge, The histories of Rabban Hôrmîzd the Persian and Rabban Bar-'Idtâ [2.2 Translation], vol. 2.2, 2 vol. London: Luzac, 1902.

Miscellaneous

• Barhadbeshabba of Halwan, History of the Foundation of the Schools: ed. + French translation, A. Scher, “La Cause de la fondation des écoles”, in Patrologia Orientalis, vol. 4, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1907, pp. 317-404.
• Statutes of School of Nisibis:
  • ed. + English translation, A. Vööbus, The statutes of the school of Nisibis. Stockholm: Estonian Theological Society in Exile, 1962.
  • Cp. A. Vööbus, History of the School of Nisibis. Louvain: Secretariat du Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium, 1965.
  • W. Wolska-Conus, La Topographie chrétienne de Cosmas Indicopleustès: théologie et science au VIe siècle. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1962. Pp. 63–84 ("Cosmas et l'école de Nisibe") 
  • G. J. Reinink, Drijvers, H. J. W., and MacDonald, A. A., Eds., Centres of learning: learning and location in pre-modern Europe and the Near East. Leiden: Brill, 1995. Pp. 77–89.
• Synods of Church of the East:
  • ed. + French translation, J. - B. Chabot, Synodicon orientale ou recueil de synodes nestoriens. Paris: Imprimerie Nationale, 1902.
  • Cp W. Selb, Orientalisches Kirchenrecht, vol. 1. Vienna: Verlag der Oesterreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, 1981.
  • S. P. Brock, Studies in Syriac christianity: history, literature and theology. Aldershot: Variorum, 2001. Ch.XII.
• Monastic Rules: ed. + English translation, A. Vööbus, Syriac and Arabic Documents Regarding Legislation Relative to Syrian Asceticism. Stockholm: Papers of the Estonian theological society in exile, 1960.

Topography

• J. - M. Fiey, Assyrie chrétienne, 3 vol. Beirut: Imprimerie Catholique, 1968.
• J. - M. Fiey, Communautes syriaques en Iran et Iraq des origines à 1552. London: Variorum Reprints, 1979.

Bibliography

Further bibliography can be found by consulting the Classified bibliographies for Syriac studies:

• S. P. Brock, “Syriac Studies 1960-1970: A Classified Bibliography”, Parole de l'Orient, vol. 4, pp. 393-465, 1973.
• S. P. Brock, “Syriac studies 1971-1980: A Classified Bibliography”, Parole de l'Orient, vol. 10, pp. 291-412, 1981.
• S. P. Brock, “Syriac Studies 1981-1985: A Classified Bibliography”, Parole de l'Orient, vol. 14, pp. 289-360, 1987.
• S. P. Brock, “Syriac studies 1986-1990: a classified bibliography”, Parole de l'Orient, vol. 17, pp. 211-301, 1992.
• S. P. Brock, Syriac Studies: A Classified Bibliography (1960–1990). Lebanon: Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik, 1996.
• S. P. Brock, “Syriac Studies: A Classified Bibliography (1991–1995)”, Parole de l'Orient, vol. 23, pp. 241-350, 1998.