This is the first English translation of the major Armenian epic on Adam and Eve composed by Arak'el of Siwnik' in the early fifteenth century. Arak'el writes extremely powerful narrative poetry, as in his description of the brilliance of paradise, of Satan's mustering his hosts against Adam and Eve, and Eve's inner struggle between obedience to God and Satan's seduction. In parts the epic is in dialogue form between Adam, Eve, and God. It also pays much attention to the typology of Adam and Christ, or Adam's sin and death and Christ's crucifixion. By implication, this story, from an Eastern Christian tradition, is the story of all humans, and bears comparison with later biblical epics, such as Milton's Paradise Lost. Michael E. Stone's version preserves a balance between literary felicity and faithfulness to the original. His Introduction sets the work and its author in historical, religious, and literary context.

All who work on the reception history of Adam and Eve are indebted to Stone for countless contributions in which he has made known to a wider audience Armenian traditions that might otherwise be overlooked * G.J Brooke, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament *
welcome, unusual, and indeed exciting book...There is a great amount of significant and unusual material here which may be examined from a variety of viewpoints, and this first-class (and also beautifully produced) work will be, as intended, of interest well beyond Armenian studies. * Brian Murdoch, Journal of Jewish Studies *
While English-speakers can judge Stone's exquisite writing style, we can confirm that his language is striking for its faithfulness to the original work. * Gohar Muradyan, Vienna Armenological journal *

Michael E. Stone is Professor of Armenian Studies and Comparative Religion, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.