Ancient Great Armenia existed between the 2nd c. BC e. and 5th c. n. e. In its heyday, it was a large state located between the Caspian and Mediterranean Seas.
Armenians in ancient times
The Armenian people achieved independence after Alexander the Great captured Persia and overthrew the Achaemenid dynasty that ruled there. His campaign changed the situation in the region. Prior to that, the Armenians lived under the rule of the Persians, and on the territory of their future state there was a Persian satrapy (province).
After the death of Alexander the Great, his great power broke up into many warring states. Among them were the Armenian principalities. At the turn of 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 that is now considered to be historical Armenia. An original language and traditions have developed.
Artashes I
The Seleucids did not rule the Armenians for long. In 189 BC. e. they were defeated by the Romans, who came to the Middle East for a long time. But the European armies did not reach Armenia. At the same time, a national uprising broke out in this country.against the Seleucids, which was headed by one of the local strategists - Artashes. It was he who declared himself an independent king.
This is how Great Armenia appeared, the name of which was adopted in order to distinguish it from Lesser Armenia, located on the other side of the Euphrates River. Artashes became the founder of the Artashesid dynasty, which ruled the monarchy until 14 AD. e. Under his rule was the entire Armenian Highlands. Artashes I also erected a new capital - Artashat.
It is interesting that for several centuries the residence of the rulers of Armenia has often changed. But each new capital, except for Tigranakert, was invariably located 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 modern capital of Armenia, Yerevan, is also located there. In the south of the valley is the famous Mount Ararat. This is the national symbol of the Armenians. Today Ararat is located in Turkey. But it is the modern Republic of Armenia that is rightfully considered the national successor of Greater Armenia. This ancient state had a standard device for that time. The monarch had unlimited power. All state institutions were concentrated in the royal palace.
Tigran II
Great Armenia reached its heyday under Tigran II from the same Artashesian dynasty. He ruled from 95-55. BC e. and during his lifetime received the nickname Great. Tigran managed to subjugate many provinces on the territory of modern Turkey, to expand the boundaries of his ownstates 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 adopted a new title. They began to call him "the king of kings." This title was worn by the monarchs of Parthia before him.
However, the wars of conquest turned into a disaster. The Armenians found themselves on the path of Roman expansion. At this time, the republic took decisive steps to subjugate the Hellenistic East. Greece was already under Roman rule. A war broke out between the Western legions and the Armenians. As a result, the Romans laid siege to the capital of Tigranes - Tigranakert. The city was sacked after an uprising against the king began within its walls. The Romans planned to conquer the whole country, but they failed due to civil strife at home and the shaky political situation in the Senate.
Christianization 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 collapse 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.
Fall of Greater Armenia
Since the 3rd century, Great Armenia has regularly suffered from wars with Persia and the Roman Empire. In addition, the state wasweakened by the rise of feudalism. The governors and owners of large tracts of land often did not obey the direct orders of the monarch, which destroyed the country from the inside. In 387, Great Armenia lost another war and was divided between the Romans and Persians. Formally, each half had its own autonomy from the central foreign power. The Romans destroyed this ghostly statehood in 391. In 428 the Persians did the same. This date is considered the end of Great Armenia.
Nevertheless, the people retained their former way of life. After the Armenian lands were occupied by the Arabs in the 7th century, many Armenians fled to the common faith Byzantium. There they became military leaders and important officials. In addition, there were several emperors of Armenian origin in Constantinople.
