Ancient Great Armenia: History

Ancient Great Armenia existed between the II century. BC. E. And V in. N. E. In its heyday it was a large state located between the Caspian and the Mediterranean Sea.

Armenians in the ancient era

The Armenian people achieved independence after Alexander the Great conquered Persia and overthrew the ruling Achaemenid dynasty there. His campaign turned the situation in the region. Prior to this, Armenians lived under the rule of the Persians, and in the territory of their future state there was Persian satrapy (province).

After the death of Alexander the Great, his enormous power fell apart into a host of warring states. Among them were the Armenian princedoms. At the turn of the III and II centuries. BC. E. All these lands were united around the Hellenistic Seleucid dynasty. It was then that the Armenian people finally settled the territory, which is now considered to be historical Armenia. There was an original language and traditions.

Artashes I

Seleucids did not rule Armenians for long. In 189 BC. E. They were defeated by the Romans, who for a long time came to the Middle East. But the European armies did not reach Armenia. At the same time, a national uprising against the Seleucids broke out in this country, which was headed by one of the local strategists - Artashes. It was he who declared himself an independent king.

This is how Great Armenia emerged, the name of which was adopted in order to distinguish it from Lesser Armenia, located on the other bank of the Euphrates River. Artashes became the founder of the Artashesid dynasty, who ruled the monarchy until 14 AD. E. Under his authority was the entire Armenian Highlands. Also, Artashes I erected a new capital - Artashat.

It is interesting that for several centuries the residence of Armenian rulers has often changed. But each new capital, except for Tigranakert, was invariably in the Ararat Valley, on the banks of the Araks River. These places were perfectly protected from enemies by natural barriers: mountains and lakes. Today, the same is the modern capital of Armenia Yerevan. In the south of the valley is the famous mountain Ararat. It is a national symbol of Armenians. Today Ararat is located on the territory of Turkey. But it is the modern Republic of Armenia that is rightly considered the national successor of Great Armenia. This ancient state had a standard device for that time. The monarch owned unlimited power. All state institutions were concentrated in the royal palace.

Tigran II

Great Armenia reached its heyday under Tigran II from the same Artashesid dynasty. He ruled in 95-55 years. BC. E. And during his lifetime received the nickname Great. Tigran managed to subdue many provinces in the territory of modern Turkey, expand the borders of his own state to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

The history of Great Armenia during this period included wars with the Persians and Hellenistic monarchs on the ruins of the empire of Alexander the Great. In honor of his success, Tigran II even took a new title. He was called "king of kings." This title was worn by the monarchs of Parthia.

However, the wars of conquest turned out to be a disaster. Armenians found themselves on the path of Roman expansion. At this time the republic took decisive steps to subjugate the Hellenistic East. Under the rule of Rome was already Greece. The war began between the Western legions and the Armenians. As a result, the Romans besieged the capital of Tigran - Tigranakert. The city was plundered after the insurrection against the tsar began in its walls. The Romans planned to conquer the whole country, but they failed because of civil strife in their homeland and shaky political situation in the Senate.

Acceptance of Christianity by Armenians

An important event for the entire Armenian people was the adoption of Christianity as the official religion in 301. This was done by Trdat III. It was the religious community that helped the Armenians to remain as a single people even after the dissolution of their state. An independent apostolic church existed even under the rule of pagans and Muslims. The modern Republic of Armenia remains a Christian country.

The fall of Great Armenia

Since the III century, the Great Armenia has suffered regularly from wars with Persia and the Roman Empire. In addition, the state was weakened by the emergence of feudalism. The governors and owners of large land areas often did not obey the direct orders of the monarch, which destroyed the country from within. In 387, the Great Armenia lost another war and was divided between the Romans and the Persians. Formally, each half had its own autonomy from the central foreign power. The Romans destroyed this illusory statehood in 391 AD. In 428, the Persians did the same. It is this date that is considered the end of Great Armenia.

Nevertheless, the people retained their old way of life. After the Armenian lands were annexed by the Arabs in the 7th century, many Armenians fled to the Byzantine Empire. There they became commanders and important officials. In addition, there were several emperors of Armenian origin in Constantinople.