Hakob Melik Hakobian, better known by his pen name Raffi, was an Armenian author and leading figure in 19th-century Armenian literature. He is considered one of the most influential and popular modern Armenian authors. His works, especially his historical novels, played an important role in the development of modern Armenian nationalism. Ara Baliozian described him as Armenia's "greatest novelist of the 19th century."

Armenian literature, produced in the Armenian language, was mainly dedicated to national themes and has evolved distinct traditions in terms of style, imagery, and form.