David Anhaght
The 'Invincible' Philosopher

The fifth/sixth century Armenian Neoplatonist David Anhagh is recognized as the founder of several branches of Armenian philosophy, particularly logic. His philosophical writings have been studied by generations of Armenian scholars, and during the past several decades have been the focus of intensive scholarly attention in Soviet Armenia and elsewhere. Yet David himself remains an enigmatic figure. In 1980 David's 1500th anniversary was marked by an international conference in Erevan. A year later the Armenian studies program at the University of California, Los Angeles, participated in the tribute with a symposium. A group of scholars representing the disciplines of philosophy, intertestamental and early Christian literature, and Byzantine and Armenian cultural history met to discuss the many controversial issues concerning David's life, works, and activities. Although no consensus was either achieved or expected, their analyses, presented in this volume, make a significant contribution to a better understanding of David's role as a philosopher and of his singular legacy to the cultural and intellectual history of Armenia.