The History of Taron attributed to John Mamikonean is a short historical romance in five parts, purporting to describe significant events in the district of Taron in the Byzantine-Iranian wars during the reign of Xosrov II, when Taron was frequently invaded by the Iranians. The History describes the actions of five generations of Mamikoneans (Taron's princely house) in defending and avenging the district. Each cycle of the story is devoted to the exploits of one of the heroes, who display at times superhuman bravery and duplicity, wisdom and cunning, humility and pomp, and compassion and cruelty. Much of the narration describes the battles fought by the