e from Arabic, Caucasus, and/or
Persian sources, all of which were active in trade between the European
and Indian worlds.

--DBK

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SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY:

ORIGINAL TEXT--

Woodward, G.R. & H. Mattingly (Ed. & Trans.): "St. John Damascene:
Barlaam and Ioasaph" (Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA, 1914).
English translation with side-by-side Greek text.

RECOMMENDED READING--

Lang, David Marshall (Trans.): "The Balavariani: A Tale from the
Christian East" (California University Press, Los Angeles, 1966).
Translation of the Georgian work that probably served as a basis for
the Greek text.

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BARLAAM AND IOASAPH

AN EDIFYING STORY FROM THE INNER LAND OF THE ETHIOPIANS, CALLED THE
LAND OF THE INDIANS, THENCE BROUGHT TO THE HOLY CITY, BY JOHN THE MONK
(AN HONOURABLE MAN AND A VIRTUOUS, OF THE MONASTERY OF SAINT SABAS);
WHEREIN ARE THE LIVES OF THE FAMOUS AND BLESSED BARLAAM AND IOASAPH.

INTRODUCTION

"As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are sons of God" saith
the inspired Apostle. Now to have been accounted worthy of the Holy
Spirit and to have become sons of God is of all things most to be
coveted; and, as it is written, "They that have become his sons find
rest from all enquiry." This marvellous, and above all else desirable,
blessedness have the Saints from the beginning won by the practice of
the virtues, some having striven as Martyrs, and resisted sin unto
blood, and others having struggled in self-discipline, and having
trodden the narrow way, proving Martyrs in will. Now, that one should
hand down to memory the prowess and virtuous deeds of these, both of
them that were made perfect by blood, and of them that by self-denial
did emulate the conversation of Angels, and should deliver to the
generations that follow a pattern of virtue, this hath the Church of
Christ received as a tradition from the inspired Apostles, and the
blessed Fathers, who did thus enact for the salvation of our race. For
the pathway to virtue is rough and steep, especially for such as have
not yet wholly turned unto the Lord, but are still at warfare, through
the tyranny of their passions. For this reason also we need many
encouragements thereto, whether it be exhortations, or the record of
the lives of them that have travelled on the road before us; which
latter draweth us tow