Gusans (Armenian: գուսան; Parthian for poet-musician or minstrel) were creative and performing artists - singers, instrumentalists, dancers, storytellers, and professional folk actors in public theaters of Parthia and ancient and medieval Armenia. According to Mary Boyce, poetry and music was a common way to spend leisure time among rich Parthians who would hire a gusan to perform in their homes. The practice was so popular that each noble family had gusans residing with them on and passing on their skills on a hereditary basis. 2. the second group comprised popular, but illiterate gousans.