Antique Great Armenia existed between the 2nd century. BC e. and V century. n e. In its heyday, it was a large state located between the Caspian and Mediterranean Sea.
Armenians in the ancient era
The Armenian people achieved independence after Alexander of Macedon captured Persia and overthrew the Achaemenid dynasty that ruled there. His campaign turned the situation in the region. Prior to this, the Armenians lived under the rule of the Persians, and on the territory of their future state was the Persian satrapy (province).
After the death of Alexander of Macedon, his great power broke up into many warring states. Among them were the Armenian principalities. At the turn of the 3rd and 2nd centuries. BC e. all these lands were united around the Hellenistic dynasty of the Seleucids. It was then that the Armenian people finally settled on 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 led by one of the local strategists - Artashes. It was he who declared himself an independent king.
Thus appeared Great Armenia, whose name 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 the year 14. e. Under his authority was the entire Armenian Highlands. Artashes I also erected a new capital - Artashat.
Interestingly, over the course of 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 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 dynasty of Artashesis. He ruled in 95–55. BC e. and during his lifetime he received the nickname the Great. Tigran managed to subjugate many provinces on 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 Persians and Hellenistic monarchs on the wreckage of the empire of Alexander the Great. In honor of his successes, Tigran II even adopted a new title. He began to be called the "king of kings." This title was before him the monarchs of Parthia.
However, the war of conquest turned into a disaster. Armenians found themselves on the path of Roman expansion. At this time, the republic took decisive steps to subjugate the Hellenistic East. Rome was already ruled by 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 an uprising against the king began in its walls. The Romans planned to conquer the whole country, but they did not succeed because of civil strife in the homeland and the precarious political situation in the Senate.
The adoption of Christianity by Armenians
An important event for the entire Armenian people was the adoption of Christianity as an 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.
The fall of Great Armenia
Since the III century, Greater Armenia regularly suffered 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 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 authority. 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 ways. After the Armenian lands were conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century, many Armenians fled to Byzantium. There they became military leaders and important officials. In addition, there were several emperors of Armenian origin in Constantinople.