Un "selfie" alla cultura armena del settimo secolo: l’“Autobiografia” di Anania Širakacci

Abstract

Anania Širakacci, a scientist (mathematician, cosmologist, astronomer, etc.) from the 7th century, is among the most original figures in Armenian literature. Anania Širakacci, a scientist (mathematician, cosmologist, astronomer, etc.) from the 7th century, is among the most original figures in Armenian literature. His autobiography ‒ a brief text dating back to the last phase of his scholarly activity ‒ provides a description of contemporary Armenian culture, highlighting its many deficiencies. Furthermore, it details the efforts of a brilliant man ‒ Anania himself ‒ devoted to obtaining abroad (i.e. in the Byzantine world) the knowledge and resources that were not available in his home country, and to spreading them among his compatriots. This article includes a translation of the Autobiography as well as a linguistic, historical, and philological commentary on it.