1836.] Note on the origin of the Armenian Era. 385 



It appears from our historical records that the Armenian era origi- 

 nated in A. M. 3252, immediately after the coronation of the Arme- 

 nian king Paroyr. Arbaces, prince of the Medes, it must be 

 remembered, having availed himself of the assistance of Paroyr, and 

 of Belesis Nabonassar, a prince of Babylon, succeeded in subvert- 

 ing the Assyrian kingdom, and proclaiming himself king of Assyria. 

 Ensigns of royalty were conferred by the conqueror on both of his 

 powerful allies, each of whom returned from the field of battle to his 

 respective country. This memorable conquest of Assyria was signa- 

 lised by the commencement of the era of Nabonassar in Babylon, 

 and by the origin of the Haican era in Armenia, which dates 743 

 years before Christ. 



The Armenian era was from the commencement regulated accord- 

 ing to solar years, like the eras of the Babylonians, Medes, Persians, 

 and Egyptians. The ancients were of opinion that the solar year con- 

 sisted of 365 days, without paying any regard to the addition of the 

 six hours, which formed the concluding part of each year. Conse- 

 quently, the Armenian era, like that of Yezdegird the third of Persia, 

 anticipated the Julian year by one day in every four years. They 

 divided the year into twelve months, giving to each 30 days, and 

 added five days at the end, called \X. l ~^ a, j Aveliaz, which signi- 

 fies added, and is equivalent to the Greek word pagomen (nayofiev.) 

 Thus the Armenian calendar year was made to comprise 365 days, 

 leaving out the six hours. And according to this mode of computa- 

 tion all the Armenian years are common, but not intercalary. The 

 following are the names and days of the Armenian months. 



Armenian months. Days of the mths. Total of the days . 



Here in the order of the 

 Armenian months are to be seen 

 not only the number of days 

 thereof, commencing from Na- 

 vasard, which is the first month 

 of the year according to the 

 Armenian era, but also the 

 total of the days of the year up 

 to Aveliaz or Pagomen, which 

 invariably consists of 5 days, 

 even in leap years. 



't.utL.ujouinq 



. Navasard, 



30 



30 



£,nn-ll ... 



Hori,. . . . 



30 



60 



U««4i# .. 



Sahmi, . . 



30 



90 



Sr 1 ? ••• 



Trey 



30 



120 



^""L a J ••• 



Kaghoz, . 



30 



150 



LLrty ■•• 



Araz, . . 



30 



180 



(PKfc-fu'fc 



Mehekan, 



30 



210 



a/'^---. 



Areg, .. 



30 



240 



VMk»* 



Ahekan, . 



30 



270 



\rT y pb • 



Marery, . 



30 



300 



IP^pt^j • 



Margaz, . 



30 



330 



-ifP -»h • • 



Hirotiz, .. 



30 



360 



UL«- t i^ u 'j 



Aveliaz,. . 



5 



365 



According to the above mode of computation, the month of Nava- 

 sard will commence on the 24th of August in the year 1836, and 

 after a lapse of four years it will begin on the 23rd of August 1840. 

 3 D 



