Harem

Translated here for the first time into English, Harem was the first novella of prolific Armenian author Raffi. Originally published in 1874 in the Armenian language, Harem is based loosely on events following the Battle of Krtsanisi in 1795. The narrative evocatively brings to life events at once sensual, dark, and conspiratorial in and around the Royal Palace of the Crown Prince of Persia, where the most interesting things happen at night. About Raffi Hakob Melik Hakobian, better known as Raffi, was born in the Persian village of Payajuk in 1835 to a family of wealthy merchants. He was educated in Tbilisi, before he took over the family textile business. Thereafter, he taught and travelled extensively throughout Armenia, Transcaucasia, and eastern Anatolia (historical Armenia), and dedicated his life to writing. Raffi is among Armenia's literary treasures. He wrote over a dozen novels, short stories and poems, and pioneered the Armenian historical novel.