The Expulsion and Forced Conversion of the Jews of Isfahan: A Comparison between Arak‘el Dawrižec‘i’s Girk‘ patmuteanc‘ and Bābā’ī ben Loṭf’s Ketāb-e anūsī


 The article deals with the persecution and expulsion of Jews Isfahan that took place under Shah ‘Abbās II in years 1656–1662. events, which occurred at Grand Vizier Moḥammad Beg’s instigation, are told a number contemporary sources, most important them being Bābā’ī ben Loṭf’s Ketāb-e anūsī (in Judeo-Persian) Arak‘el Davrižec‘i’s Girk‘ patmuteanc‘ Armenian). tries to find rationale for differences found between these two accounts, focusing on how authors report murder Jewish informer was perpetrated by other Jews. By analysing they fashion different narrative drawing same proposes their opposite attitudes towards murderers come from intent approach writing works. Bābā’ī’s account follows wake traditional biblical paradigm sin punishment, thus showing less sympathy plight than one could expect, as author’s perspective suffering supposedly brought own sins. On hand, Aṙak‘el’s more empathic representation tribulations be understood light his concern about coreligionists tempted convert Islam material benefit or economic convenience. This is reason why Aṙak‘el stresses held faith were not lured money gifts Persians offered turn Islam. He fashions chapter he devoted history moral tale, complete hero villain enhanced some flavour details, show fellow Armenians they, too, should resist allurement conversion.