Origins & Early Life

Anania Shirakatsi (Old Armenian: Անանիա Շիրակացի, Anania Širakac’i, anglicized: Ananias of Shirak) was a 7th-century Armenian polymath and natural philosopher, author of extant works covering mathematics, astronomy, geography, chronology, and other fields. Little is known for certain of his life outside of his own writings, but he is considered the father of the exact and natural sciences in Armenia—the first Armenian mathematician, astronomer, and cosmographer. A part of the Armenian Hellenizing School and one of the few secular scholars in medieval Armenia, Anania was educated primarily by Tychicus, in Trebizond. He composed science textbooks and the first known geographic work in classical Armenian (Ashkharhatsuyts), which provides detailed information about Greater Armenia, Persia and the Caucasus (Georgia and Caucasian Albania).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In mathematics, his accomplishments include the earliest known table of results of the four basic operations, the earliest known collection of recreational math puzzles and problems, and the earliest book of math problems in Armenian. He also devised a system of mathematical notation based on the Armenian alphabet, although he was the only writer known...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Emperor Xuanzong of Tang — Contemporary (Born in 685) (685): Emperor of Tang Dynasty, whose long reign spanned China's golden age and subsequent decline.
• Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik — Contemporary (Born in 685) (685): Prominent Umayyad general known for campaigns against Byzantium and the Khazars.
• Zuhayr bin Abi Sulma — Contemporary figure (Died in 609) (609): Master pre-Islamic Arabian poet, celebrated for profound wisdom and eloquence.
• Zayd ibn Thabit — Contemporary figure (Born in 611) (611): Pivotal scribe of Prophet Muhammad and chief collator of the Quranic text.
• Queen Seondeok of Silla — Contemporary figure (Born in 606) (606): First reigning queen of Silla, a pivotal figure in Korean history.
• Aisha — Contemporary figure (Born in 614) (614): Prominent scholar and political figure in early Islam, wife of Prophet Muhammad.
• Fujiwara no Kamatari — Contemporary figure (Born in 614) (614): Founder of the powerful Fujiwara clan, a key statesman in 7th-century Japan.
• Augustine of Canterbury — Contemporary figure (Died in 605) (605): First Archbishop of Canterbury, leading the Gregorian mission to Britain.
• 610 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 610
• 685 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 685