Chronicles and Historiography

Works Cited

Guides to the Editions

• 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.

This classic article is the single best survey of and guide to chronicles and historical writing in Syriac. The article we have linked to is taken directly from the original publication and not from the reprint in one of Brock's Variorum volumes. Brock's article should be the starting point for anyone looking for an orientation to what is available in Syriac in terms of historical writing and also for anyone seeking bibliographic guidance.

 

• S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976. 

Another classic and foundational article by Brock which is useful and important for the student of Syriac historiography as well as the student of seventh-century history. An excellent compliment to Brock's article on the main sources of Syriac historical writing.

 

Eusebius

Eusebius of Caesarea's Ecclesiastical History, surviving in a manuscript dated to AD 462, is the oldest extant historical work in Syriac.  The Syriac ms of Eusebius is four or five centuries older than the earliest Greek manuscripts of the same work.

The Syriac text was published in the following:

• P. Bedjan, Histoire ecclésiastique d'Eusèbe de Césarée. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1897.
• W. Wright and McLean, N., The Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius in Syriac Edited from the Manuscripts. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1898.

A German translation was done by Eberhard Nestle:

• E. Nestle, Die Kirchengeschichte des Eusebius aus dem Syrischen übersetzt. Leipzig: J.C. Hinrichs, 1901.

 

Socrates

Socrates’ Ecclesiastical History was available in Syriac in the medieval period and was used by authors such as Michael the Syrian.

A portion of Socrates’ Ecclesiastical History survives in Vatican Syriac 145 (ff.22v-65v).  9 folios from Socrates' Ecclesiastical History are also preserved in a Syriac manuscript at the Wellcome Institute in London.  This manuscript apparently once contained a copy of the entire work.

• “Vat. sir. 145”. 2016.

Here is Assemani's description of the portions of Socrates contained in Vatican Syriac 145.

 

Theodoret

The Ecclesiastical History of Theodoret was also available in the medieval period.

A portion of Theodoret's Ecclesiastical History survives in Vatican Syriac 145 (ff. 65v-78v).

• “Vat. sir. 145”. 2016.

Here is Assemani's description of the portions of Theodoret contained in Vatican Syriac 145.

 

East Syrian Epitome of Early Church History

There is also an an anonymous East Syrian ("Nestorian") work of early church history, extant in a manuscript dated AD 1703. It draws on earlier material, especially the ecclesiastical histories of Socrates and Theodoret. 

This text was first edited and translated by Emil Goeller in 1901:

• E. Goeller, “Ein nestorianisches Bruchstück zur Kirchengeschichte des 4 und 5 Jahrhunderts”, Oriens Christianus, vol. 1, pp. 80-97, 1901.

 

West Syrian (Miaphysite, Melkite, Maronite)

Joshua the Stylite (early 6th cent.)

• W. Wright, The Chronicle of Joshua the Stylite Composed in Syriac A.D. 507. Cambridge: University Press, 1882.
• J. P. P. Martin, Chronique de Josué le Stylite écrite ver l'an 515. Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus, 1876.

Survives as part of the Zuqnin Chronicle below.

 

John of Ephesus (c.508–c.588)

• E.W. Brooks has published this work in three sections:
  • E. W. Brooks, Ed., “John of Ephesus: Lives of the Eastern Saints (I)”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1923, pp. 1-307.
  • E. W. Brooks, Ed., “John of Ephesus. Lives of the Eastern Saints (II)”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1924, pp. 513-698.
  • E. W. Brooks, Ed., “John of Ephesus: Lives of the Eastern Saints (III)”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1926, pp. 151-285.
• W. Cureton, The Third Part of the Ecclesiastical History of John, Bishop of Ephesus. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1853.
• R. P. Smith, The Third Part of the Ecclesiastical History of John, Bishop of Ephesus. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1860.
• J. P. N. Land, Ed., Joannis Episcopi Ephesi monophysitae scripta historica quotquot adhuc inedita supererant, vol. 2, 4 vol. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1868.

Excerpts from Part 2 of John's Ecclesiastical History begin here. For a longer discussion of the preservation of Part 2 and its relationship to the Zuqnin Chronicle, see the John of Ephesus page.

• N.B. Before using the Anecdota Syriaca, you should read the reviews by Wright and Payne-Smith:
  • W. Wright, “Anecdota Syriaca”, The Journal of Sacred Literature and Biblical Record, vol. 2.3, pp. 115-130, 1863.
  • R. P. Smith, Review of Anecdota Syriaca, Reprint. London: Mitchell and Son, 1863.
• F. Nau, “Analyse de la seconde partie inédite de l'Histoire Ecclésiastique de Jean d'Asie, patriarche jacobite de Constantinople”, Revue de l'Orient chrétien, vol. 2, pp. 455-93, 1897.
• See Brock's discussion here from pages 5-6 of the following:
  • 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.
• ​​See more at the Syri.ac John of Ephesus page:
  • M. Reed, “John of Ephesus”. 2015.

 

Chronicle of Edessa (mid. 6th cent.)

• I. Guidi, Ed., Chronica Minora [Text]. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1903.
  • Syriac found on pages 1–13. 
• I. Guidi, Ed., Chronica Minora [Translation]. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1903.
  • Latin Translation on pages 1–11.
• See also Brock's discussion here from pages 3-4 of the following:
  • 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.

 

Other editions and translations:

B. H. Cowper, “Selections from the Syriac. No. I: The Chronicle of Edessa”, The Journal of Sacred Literature and Biblical Record, vol. 5.9, pp. 28-45, 1864.

The Syriac text was first published by Assemani:

• J. S. Assemani, Ed., “Chronicon Edessenum”, in Bibliothecae Orientalis Clementino-Vaticanae, Tomus primum de Scriptoribus Syris Orthodoxis, vol. 1, Rome: Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, 1719, pp. 387-429. 

The text was also edited with German translation and introduction by Ludwig Hallier:

• L. Hallier, Untersuchungen über die edessenische Chronik. Leipzig: J.C. Hinrichs, 1892.

 

Pseudo-Zacharias Rhetor (of Mytilene), Ecclesiastical History (Syr. trans late 6th century)

• Syriac text:
  • E. W. Brooks, Ed., Historia ecclesiastica Zachariae rhetori vulgo adscripta (I), vol. 1, 2 vol. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1919.
  • E. W. Brooks, Ed., Historia ecclesiastica Zachariae rhetori vulgo adscripta; Accedit fragmentum Historiae ecclesiasticae Dionysii Telmahrensis (II), vol. 2, 2 vol. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1953. 
• Latin translation:
  • E. W. Brooks, Ed., Historia Ecclesiastica Zachariae Rhetori Vulgo Adscripta I [Versio], vol. 1, 2 vol. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1924.
  • E. W. Brooks, Ed., Historia Ecclesiastica Zachariae Rhetori Vulgo Adscripta II [Versio], vol. 2, 2 vol. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1924.
• See also Brock's discussion here from pp. 4-5 of the following:
  • 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.
• F. J. Hamilton and Brooks, E. W., Eds., The Syriac Chronicle Known as that of Zachariah of Mitylene. London: Methuen & Co., 1899.
• K. Ahrens and Krüger, G., Eds., Die sogennante Kirchengeschichte des Zacharias Rhetor. Leipzig: B.G. Teubner, 1899. 
• J. P. N. Land, Ed., Zachariae Episcopi Mitylenes aliorumque Scripta Historica Graece plerumque deperdita, vol. 3, 4 vol. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1870.
  • (Table of Contents)
• N.B. Before using the Anecdota Syriaca, you should read the review of Wright and that of Payne-Smith:
  • W. Wright, “Anecdota Syriaca”, The Journal of Sacred Literature and Biblical Record, vol. 2.3, pp. 115-130, 1863.
  • R. P. Smith, Review of Anecdota Syriaca, Reprint. London: Mitchell and Son, 1863.

 

Melkite Chronicle from Sinai Syriac 10

• A. de Halleux, “La chronique melkite abrégée du Ms. Sinaï Syr. 10”, Le Muséon, vol. 91, pp. 5-44, 1978.
  • The Chronicle begins here.
• See Brock's discussion here from page 7 of the following:
  • 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.

 

Fragment on the Arab Invasions

• E. W. Brooks, Ed., Chronica Minora II [Textus]. Leipzig; Paris: Otto Harrassowitz; Poussielgue, 1904.
  • Begins at p. 75.
• An account of the mid-seventh century Arab invasions, perhaps contemporary, which was written down in a sixth-century Gospel manuscript. See Jack Tannous's English translation:
  • J. Tannous, Ed., “Account of the Subjugation of Syria by the Arabs”. 2012.
• Brock's discussion is here from page 18 of the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.

 

Maronite Chronicle (660s)

• E. W. Brooks, Ed., Chronica Minora II [Textus]. Leipzig; Paris: Otto Harrassowitz; Poussielgue, 1904.
  • Specifically pp. 43–74.
• See Brock's discussion here from page 7 of the following:
  • 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.

 

Jacob of Edessa, Chronological Canon (d. 708)

• E. W. Brooks, “The Chronological Canon of James of Edessa”, Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft, vol. 53, pp. 261-327, 1899.
• E. W. Brooks, “The Chronological Canon of James of Edessa”, Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft, vol. 54, pp. 100-102, 1900.

 

Jacob of Edessa, Chronicle (d. 708)

• E. W. Brooks, Guidi, I., and Chabot, J. - B., Eds., Chronica Minora, III [Textus], vol. 1, 2 vol. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1905.
  • Specifically pp. 261–330.
  • Here Brooks combined the Chronological Canon of Jacob (which he previously published in ZDMG, in the entry above), with fragments of the work contained in BL Add. 14685 and excerpts from Jacob's Chronicle embedded in the work of Elias of Nisibis and Michael the Syrian.
• See Brock's discussion here from page 8 of the following:
  • 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.

 

Historical Notices for 712–716

• F. Nau, “Un colloque de Patriarche Jean avec l'Émir des Agaréens et faits divers des années 712 à 716 d'après le ms. du British museum add. 17193 avec un appendice sur le patriarche Jean 1er . . .”, Journal asiatique, vol. 11.5, pp. 225-279, 1915.
  • Syriac found on pp. 253–256. 
  • French Translation found on pp. 264–267. 
• See Brock's discussion here from page 8 of the following:
  • 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.

 

Chronicon ad annum 724

• E. W. Brooks, Ed., Chronica Minora II [Textus]. Leipzig; Paris: Otto Harrassowitz; Poussielgue, 1904. 
  • Specifically pp. 77–155. 
• J. P. N. Land, Ed., Symbolae Syriacae, vol. 1, 4 vol. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1867.
  • First edited by Land on pages 1–24.
  • It is also known as the Liber Calipharum, or Book of Caliphs, because of a list of Arab rulers, from Muhammad to Yazid II (reg. AD 720–724/AH 101–105), comes at p. 155. See Jack Tannous's English translation of the list: 
    • J. Tannous, Ed., “List of Caliphs Translation”. 2012.
• See Brock's discussion here from page 9 of the following:
  • 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.
• B. H. Cowper, Syriac Miscellanies; or Extracts Relating to the First and Second General Councils, and Various other Quotations Theological, Historical, & Classical. London: Williams and Norgate, 1861.
  • Selections from the Chronicle to 724 were translated on pp. 75-92. 

 

Various Extracts on AD 501/2, 505/6, and 763/4

• E. W. Brooks, Guidi, I., and Chabot, J. - B., Eds., Chronica Minora, III [Textus], vol. 1, 2 vol. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1905.
  • Pp. 331–336.
• The first two entries are on Amid and the third is on the rule of Musa b. Mus'ab.
• See Brock's description here from page 9 of the following:
  • 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.

 

Chronicon ad annum 775

• E. W. Brooks, Guidi, I., and Chabot, J. - B., Eds., Chronica Minora, III [Textus], vol. 1, 2 vol. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1905.
  • Pp. 337–349.
• Begins with Adam and ends in the eighth century; most of the material offered is BC.
• See Brock's description here from page 9 of the following:
  • 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.
• See Brock's description here from page 20 of the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.

 

Zuqnin Chronicle / Chronicle of Pseudo-Dionysios of Tel Mahre (776)

• French translation of the fourth part only
  • J. - B. Chabot, Ed., Chronique de Denys de Tell-Mahré. Quatrième partie. Paris: Émile Bouillon Library, 1895.
• Chabot's edition is available here in 3 volumes:
  • Text
    • J. - B. Chabot, Ed., Chronicon Pseudo Dionysianum Vulgo Dictum I. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1927.
    • J. - B. Chabot, Ed., Chronicon Pseudo Dionysianum Vulgo Dictum II. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1927.
  • Latin Translation
    • J. - B. Chabot, Incerti Auctoris Chronicon Pseudo Dionysianum Vulgo Dictum I. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1927.
• See Brock's description here from pages 10-13 of the following:
  • 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.
• See Brock's description here from pages 20-21 of the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.

 

Chronicon ad annum 813 

• E. W. Brooks, Guidi, I., and Chabot, J. - B., Eds., Chronica Minora, III [Textus], vol. 1, 2 vol. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1905.
  • Pp.  243–260
  • The chronicle as it stands is fragmentary and extant material deals with AD 775–813.
• Before publishing it in the CSCO, Brooks also published the text of this chronicle, with an ET in the ZDMG:  
  • E. W. Brooks, “A Syriac Fragment”, Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft, vol. 54, pp. 195-230, 1900.
• See Brock's discussion here from page 13 of the following:
  • 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.

 

Chronicon ad annum 819

• I. A. Barsoum and Chabot, J. - B., Eds., Chronicon anonymi auctoris ad annum Christi 1234 pertinens [textus], vol. 1, 2 vol. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1920.
  • See pp. 3–22.
  • The chronicle covers the period from Christ to 819, with a heavy focus on the seventh and eighth centuries.
• See Brock, here on page 13 of the following:
  • 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.
• See Brock, here on page 21 of the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.

 

Chronicon ad annum 846 

• E. W. Brooks, Ed., Chronica Minora II [Textus]. Leipzig; Paris: Otto Harrassowitz; Poussielgue, 1904.
  • Pp. 157–238
• Before this edition, Brooks published an earlier edition of the Chronicle, along with an English translation of it:
  • E. W. Brooks, “A Syriac Chronicle of the Year 846”, Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft, vol. 51, pp. 569-588, 1897.
• See Brock's discussion here on page 14 of the following:
  • 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.
• See Brock's discussion here on page 21 of the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.

 

Dionysios of Tel Mahre

Syrian Orthodox Patriarch from 818–845, he recorded an Ecclesiastical History covering 582–842 CE. While longer excerpts have been incorprated into the works of Michael the Syrian, one fragmant is to be found edited with the works of Pseudo-Zecharias Rhetor.

• E. W. Brooks, Ed., Historia ecclesiastica Zachariae rhetori vulgo adscripta (I), vol. 1, 2 vol. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1919.
  • Text pp. 219-24
• E. W. Brooks, Ed., Historia Ecclesiastica Zachariae Rhetori Vulgo Adscripta II [Versio], vol. 2, 2 vol. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1924.
  • Latin translation pp. 149-54
• See Brock's discussion here on pages 14-15 of the following:
  • 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.

 

Michael the Syrian (d. 1199)

• French Translation
  • J. - B. Chabot, Chronique de Michel le Syrien, patriarche jacobite d'Antioche, 1166-1199, vol. 1, 4 vol. Paris: E. Leroux, 1899.
  • J. - B. Chabot, Chronique de Michel le Syrien, patriarche jacobite d'Antioche, 1166-1199, vol. 2, 4 vol. Paris: E. Leroux, 1901.
  • J. - B. Chabot, Chronique de Michel le Syrien, patriarche jacobite d'Antioche, 1166-1199, vol. 3, 4 vol. Paris: E. Leroux, 1905.
• Text
  • J. - B. Chabot, Ed., Chronique de Michel le Syrien, patriarche jacobite d'Antioche, 1166-1199, vol. 4, 4 vol. Paris: E. Leroux, 1963.
• Michael the Syrian in Armenian
  • Text
    • Patriarch Ishaq, Ed., Zhamanakagrutʻiwn Teaṛn Mikhayēli Asorwotsʻ Patriarkʻi : haneal i hnagoyn grchʻagrē. Jerusalem: Tparani Srbotsʻ Yakovbeantsʻ, 1871.
  • French Translation
    • V. Langlois, Ed., Chronique de Michel le Grand, Patriarche des syriens Jacobites, traduite pour la première fois sur la version arménienne du Prêtre Ischôk. Venice: Academy of Saint Lazarus, 1868.
  • English Translation
    • R. Bedrosian, Ed., The Chronicle of Michael the Great, Patriarch of the Syrians. Long Branch, 2013.

Drawing on other-lost works (e.g., the chronicles of Dionysios of Tell Mahre, John of Litarba and Jacob of Edessa) and at times confusing to use (there are three columns to navigate, each with a different focus), for medieval historians Michael the Syrian represents the most important of all Syriac chronicles.  The Syriac text was published in volume 4 of Chabot's edition and translation; it was a reproduction of a hand-written copy based on an early modern, complete, copy of Michael that is now held in the Church of the Edessenes in Hayy al-Suryan in Aleppo.  The scribe that Chabot had copy out the work did a remarkable job at reproducing this manuscript, but the Syriac text can nevertheless at times be very difficult to make out.  Recently, HMML, Gorgias Press, and the Bishop of Aleppo joined forces to produce a facsimile edition of the Aleppo copy of Michael, the publication of which was a landmark.  Arabic translations of Michael also exist, most importantly perhaps in the Christian village of Sadad in Syria, and it has been suggested that the Aleppo copy of Michael may or may not actually represent the entirety of Michael's original text--there may be sections which have been omitted or lost; studying the Syriac alongside the Arabic (which remains unpublished, but there are plans to put out a facsimile of the Arabic as well) may be able to help resolve this question.

• See Brock's discussion here from pages 15-17 of the following:
  • 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.
• See Brock's discussion here from pages 21-22 of the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.
• For a comprehensive outline of the Chronicle of Michael the Syrian can be found at syri.ac:
  • M. Reed, “Michael the Syrian”. 2016.

 

Chronicon ad annum 1234

• Syriac
  • I. A. Barsoum and Chabot, J. - B., Eds., Chronicon anonymi auctoris ad annum Christi 1234 pertinens [textus], vol. 1, 2 vol. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1920.
    • Secular history begins in volume 1, here.
  • J. - B. Chabot, Ed., Chronicon anonymi auctoris ad annum Christi 1234 pertinens. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1917.
    • Ecclesiastical history begins in volume 2, here.
• Latin Translation
  • J. - B. Chabot, Chronicon anonymi auctoris ad annum Christi 1234 pertinens, vol. 2, 2 vol. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1937.
• See Brock's discussion here on pp. 17-18 from the following:
  • 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.
• See Brock's discussion here on p. 22 from the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.

 

Bar Hebraeus (d. 1286)

Chronicon

• P. Bedjan, Ed., Gregorii Barhebræi Chronicon Syriacum e codd. mss. emendatum ac punctis vocalibus adnotationibusque locupletatum. Paris: Maisonneuve, 1890.
• E. A. W. Budge, Ed., The Chronography of Gregory Abû'l Faraj, the Son of Aaron, the Hebrew Physician, Commonly Known as Bar Hebraeus: Being the First Part of his Political History of the Word: Translated from the Syriac, 2 vol. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1932.
  • Budge’s English translation is not yet available in the public domain, but it has been transcribed. NB: He translated from Bedjan, but photolithographically reproduced (in reverse negative) a different MS.
• See Brock's discussion here on pages 19-20 from the following:
  • 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.
• See Brock's discussion here on page 23 from the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.
• A more thorough analysis of the Chronicon can be found at the following:
  • M. Reed, Ed., “Chronicles of Bar Hebraeus”. 2016.

 

Ecclesiastical History

• Syriac Text
  • 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.

This edition has typos in it. The edition in the Oriental Institute in Oxford is the personal copy of Mrs. Margoliouth and you can read her emendations in the side margins if you have access to it. (It would be nice to have a scan of those!) UPenn has Nöldeke’s personal copy and you can similarly read his emendations there if you have access to it; somebody, however, rebound the book and, tragically, cut the margins, so some of Nöldeke’s corrections have been lost.

• See Brock's discussion here on pp. 19-20 in the following:
  • 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.
• See Brock's discussion here on pp. 22-23 in the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.
• A more thorough analysis of the Ecclesiastical History can be found at the following:
  • M. Reed, Ed., “Chronicles of Bar Hebraeus”. 2016.

 

Earlier Editions:

• E. Pococke, Ed., Specimen historiae Arabum, sive, Gregorii Abul Farajii Malatiensis : de origine & moribus Arabum succincta narratio, in linguam Latinam conversa, notisque è probatisimis apud ipsos authoribus, fufiùs illustrata. Oxford: H. Hall, 1650. 
• J. White, Ed., Specimen Historiae arabum; auctore Edvardo Pocockio, accessit Historia Veterum Arabum ex Abu'l Feda: Cura Antonii I. Sylvestre de Sacy. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1806.
• P. J. Bruns and Kirsch, G. W., Eds., Gregorii Abulpharagii sive Bar-Hebraei Chronicon Syriacum [Versio], vol. 1, 2 vol. Leipzig: A.F. Boehmium, 1789. 

It is good to have access to these older editions; if you use the Thesaurus Syriacus or certain older works, they will cite these editions rather than the newer ones. They are useful to know about for the purpose of tracking down references.

 

Tarikh Mukhtasar al-Duwal--Compendious History of the Dynasties 

• A. Salihani, Ed., Tarikh mukhtasar al-duwal. Beirut, 1890. 

This is another historical work by Bar Hebraeus which differs from his Syriac ecclesiastical and secular histories and which contains material found in neither of these. (with thanks to Jan van Ginkel).

Earlier edition:

• E. Pococke, Ed., Historia Compendiosa Dynastarium. Oxford: H. Hall, 1663.

 

Continuators of Bar Hebraeus

Secular History:

• P. Bedjan, Ed., Gregorii Barhebræi Chronicon Syriacum e codd. mss. emendatum ac punctis vocalibus adnotationibusque locupletatum. Paris: Maisonneuve, 1890.
  • pp. 557–599.

Ecclesiastical History:

• J. - B. Abbeloos and Lamy, T. J., Eds., Gregorii Barhebraei Chronicon ecclesiasticum, vol. 2, 3 vol. Paris/Louvain: Maisonneuve/Peeters, 1874.
  • See II.cols. 781–846 (up to 1485). 
• See Brock's discussion of the Continuators here on pp. 19-21 from the following:
  • 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.

 

Related West Syrian Material:

• J. - B. Chabot, Ed., Documenta ad origenes monophysitarum illustrandas. Louvain: L. Durbecq, 1907.

 

 

East Syrian

Barhadbshabba 'Arbaya, Ecclesiastical History (probably late 6th century)

• 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.
• See Brock's discussion here on pp. 21-22 in the following:
  • 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.

 

History of Karka d-Beth Slokh (6th cent.)

• P. Bedjan, Ed., Acta Martyrum et Sanctorum: Tomus Secundus, vol. 2, 7 vol. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1891.
  • 2:507–535
• See Brock's discussion here on pp. 22-23 of the following:
  • 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.

 

Chronicle of Arbela / Chronicle of Mshiha Zka

• A. Mingana, Ed., Mšiḥa-Zkha (texte et traduction); Bar-Penkayé (texte). Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1908.
  • Syriac text begins here 
  • French translation begins here

This is a controversial East Syrian Chronicle; with a somewhat obscure and mysterious manuscript history, Fiey accused Mingana (posthumously) of having fabricated the entire text.  More recent research has taken the edge off of some of Fiey's sharp criticisms and suggested that it be seen as a medieval compilation which has earlier material at its core.  See especially the following:

• C. Jullien and Jullien, F., “La Chronique d’Arbèles. Propositions pour la fin d’une controverse”, Oriens Christianus, vol. 85, pp. 41-83, 2001.
• See also Brock's discussion here on pp. 23-25 of the following:
  • 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.

 

• I. Guidi, Ed., Chronica Minora [Text]. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1903.
  • pp. 15–39 (Syriac text)
• I. Guidi, Ed., Chronica Minora [Translation]. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1903.
  • pp. 15–32 (Latin translation).

This is also referred to as "Guidi's Chronicle", or "the Anonymous Chronicle".

• See Brock's discussion here on page 25 of the following:
  • 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.
• See Brock's discussion here on pages 23-24 of the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.

 

John of Phenek, Ktaba d-Rish Melle (late 7th cent.)

• A. Mingana, Ed., Mšiḥa-Zkha (texte et traduction); Bar-Penkayé (texte). Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1908. 
  • Syriac 
  • French translation
• See Brock's discussion here on p. 26 of the following:
  • 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. 
• See Brock's discussion here on p. 24 of the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.

 

History of the Monastery of Beth Qoqa

• A. Mingana, Ed., Mšiḥa-Zkha (texte et traduction); Bar-Penkayé (texte). Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1908.
  • Syriac 
  • French translation
• See Brock's discussion here on p. 26 of the following:
  • 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.

 

Thomas of Marga, Book of Abbots or Historia Monastica (840)

• P. Bedjan, Ed., Liber superiorum, seu Historia Monastica, auctore Thoma, Episcopo Margensi. Liber Fundatorum Monasteriorum in regno Persarum et Arabum. Homiliae Mar-Narsetis in Joseph. Documenta Patrum de quibusdam verae fidei dogmatibus. Paris; Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1901.
• 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.
• See Brock's discussion here on pp. 26-27 of the following
  • 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. Reed, “Thomas of Marga”. 2015.

 

Isho‘dnah of Basra, Liber Castitatis (860s)

• 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.
  • Pp. 1–80 (Syriac) 
  • Pp. 225–291 (French translation)
• P. Bedjan, Ed., Liber superiorum, seu Historia Monastica, auctore Thoma, Episcopo Margensi. Liber Fundatorum Monasteriorum in regno Persarum et Arabum. Homiliae Mar-Narsetis in Joseph. Documenta Patrum de quibusdam verae fidei dogmatibus. Paris; Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1901.
  • Pp.  439–517.
• See Brock's discussion here on pp. 26-27 of the following:
  • 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. Reed, “Isho'dnah”. 2015.

 

Chronicle of Seert (1036)

• 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.
  • All four fascicles combined into a single file can be found here 
• See Brock's discussion of the Chronicle of Seert's relationship to the lost Ecclesiastical History of Daniel Bar Maryam and to the Liber Castitatis on pp. 25-27 of the following:
  • 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. Reed, Ed., “Chronicle of Seert”. 2016.

Mukhtasar al-akhbar al-bi'iyya

• In 2000, Fr. Butrus Haddad published a newly-discovered Arabic chronicle which is related to the Chronicle of Seert
  • B. Haddad, Ed., Mukhtasar al-akhbar al-bi'iyya. Baghdad: Sharikat al-Dīwān lil-Ṭibāʻah, 2000.

 

Elias of Nisibis (d. 1046), Opus Chronologicum

• E. W. Brooks and Chabot, J. - B., Eds., Eliae metropolitae Nisibeni opus chronologicum [Textus], vol. 1, 2 vol. Leipzig; Paris: Otto Harrassowitz, 1909.
• E. W. Brooks and Chabot, J. - B., Eds., Eliae metropolitae Nisibeni opus chronologicum II [Textus], vol. 1, 2 vol. Leipzig; Paris: Otto Harrassowitz, 1910.
• L. J. Delaporte, Ed., La Chronographie d'Élie bar-Šinaya. Paris: H. Champion, 1910.
  • French translation
• See Brock's discussion here on pp. 26-27 of the following:
  • 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.
• See Brock's discussion here on pp. 24-25 of the following:
  • S. P. Brock, “Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History”, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, vol. 2, pp. 17-36, 1976.

 

Book of the Tower / Kitab al-majdal

• H. Gismondi, Maris Amri et Slibae de patriarchis nestorianorum commentaria ex codicibus vaticanis, vol. 1, 2 vol. Rome: C. de Luigi, 1899.
• H. Gismondi, Maris Amri et Slibae de patriarchis nestorianorum commentaria ex codicibus vaticanis, vol. 2, 2 vol. Rome: C. de Luigi, 1899.

 

Related Chronicles

Severos b. al-Muqaffa', History of the Patriarchs of Alexandria

• History of the Patriarchs of Alexandria
  • B. Evetts, Ed., “History of the Patriarchs of the Coptic Church of Alexandria I: Saint Mark to Theonas (300)”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1907, pp. 101-214.
  • B. Evetts, Ed., “History of the Patriarchs of the Coptic Church of Alexandria II: Peter I to Benjamin I (661)”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1907, pp. 383-518.
  • B. Evetts, Ed., “History of the Patriarchs of the Coptic Church of Alexandria III: Agathon to Michael I (766)”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1907, pp. 1-215.
  • B. Evetts, Ed., “History of the Patriarchs of the Coptic Church of Alexandria IV: Mennas I to Joseph (849)”, in Patrologia Orientalis, Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1915, pp. 359-549. 
• C. F. Seybold, Ed., Historia Patriarchorum Alexandrinorum. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1904.
  • The text is found here.

Though the focus of Severos' history is the leadership of the non-Chalcedonian church of Egypt, it nevertheless contains important information about relations between the Egyptian and Syrian churches and is an important source for students of Syriac literature and history. Roger Pearse has a good overview of Severos' life and work:

• R. Pearse, “Severus of Al'Ashmunein (=Hermopolis), History of the Patriarchs of the Coptic church of Alexandria. Preface to the online edition”. 2005.

 

John, Bishop of Nikiu, Chronicle

• R. H. Charles, Ed., The Chronicle of John (c. 690 A.D.), Coptic Bishop of Nikiu: Being a History of Egypt Before and During the Arab Conquest, Translated from Hermann Zotenberg's Edition of the Ethiopic Version . . . London: Williams & Norgate, 1916.