ARMENIAN CLUB OF SUNLAND/TUJUNGA
   
ARMENIAN HISTORY
 
ARMENIAN HISTORY
Voluminous amount of tribes dwelled from Asia Minor to Persia each with their
own distinct separate languages and cultural customs. Four Armenian tribes: the
Hayassa, Azzi, Armen, and Shoopria constitute the core of the Armenian nation. The
evolvement of these tribes mainly depended on the environment, political position, and
communication with each other.
Due to the Greek historian Strabo, the international world recognizes the
occupants of Armenia as the Armenians. The Armenian populous refers to themselves as
Hays instead of Armenians, and the land Hayastan, not Armenia. Situated in the
northeastern section of the Anatolian peninsula, the Hayassa-Azzi tribal nation formed
an alliance with each other against rival neighboring empires (see map 1). Their
existence in this region began about 3,300 BC, ending in 590 B.C. These tribes spoke an
Aramaic language that most of Mesopotamia was already speaking. A group of
Indo-European people, the Hittites, migrated from the northern Black Sea area, directly
to the Anatolian peninsula. This cultural movement took place between the 3rd and 2nd
millennium B.C. It did not take a long time before these people constructed their own
massive army and a mighty kingdom. They conquered various tribes located in that
region including the Hatti, Hurrians, and the Mitanni kingdom. With this military force
bordering Hayassa-Azzi, the only solution was to immediately develop an advanced,
heavily trained army able to resist Hittite attacks. This army began protecting its citizens
from Hittite invasions.
They lived a sedentary lifestyle, mainly involving themselves with pastoral
agriculture. The abundance of grass growing on the fertile, mountainous area allowed
these people to domesticate sheep and goats. Farming was another type of agriculture
that they practiced, growing numerous type of orchards, wheat, and barley. Building
their cities and villages near rivers allowed these people to create an irrigation system for
watering their crops. The eastern Anatolian peninsula also provided plenty of natural
metals for metalworking.
Ironmaking has remained a puzzle to the scientific world. Evidence suggests that
the Hittites were the first Empire using this advanced form of metal, iron for warring
purposes. Hayassa-Azzi also used iron swords and shields during this era (Gevorkjian
1988:51). Which group began using this metal first? Beginning from 1390 to 1335 B.C,
a bloody war began with the Hittites and the Hayassa-Azzi kingdom. Emperor
Dudhaliyah of the Hittite Empire began two massive invasions on the rival kingdom.
These invasions were unsuccessful, ending in a peace treaty between these two nations.
Emperor and successor of Dudhaliyah, Subbiluiuma, weds her sister to the
Hayassa king Hukkanash to complete the treaty. An agreement was established between
these nations, ensuring military loyalty to one another, and to cease the killing of
innocent civilians. The next successor to the Hayassa-Azzi crown, Anniyash, disobeyed
the marriage agreement. According to the Hittite marriage laws, once an individual was
married, the relatives of the wife became the new relatives of the husband. If the man
approached any of the female relatives for his own pleasure, it was a crime punishable
with death. This principle was not practiced by the Hayassa-Azzi�s, creating numerous
marital problems between these two nations.
Anniyash began plundering Hittite cities. He destroyed many villages, looting the
lands� riches. This ruthless war continued on for four years, ending in a Hittite victory.
Mursil II, the Hittite Emperor, invaded the Hayassa-Azzi kingdom capturing the two
strategically important forts of Tokkaman and Arispan, freeing the Hittite prisoners.
With this final advancement, nearing the end of the 13 century B.C, the Hayassa-Azzi
kingdom ceased to exist.
A few decades ago, historians were convinced that the Armen tribe had migrated
from the Balkans with the Phrygians, or with the Indo-European Persians from the Aral
Sea region. Recent archaeological evidence now proves that the Armens were the
original people who dwelled in this region. The Armens were the Arameans, inhabiting
between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, bordering the Hayassa-Azzi tribes in the north,
and Lake Van in the east. They exsisted between 2,900 to 800 B.C speaking a Aramaic
language. Aramaens united politically with the neighboring Shoopria tribe insuring their
safety from rival kingdoms� attacks. They too, along with the Hayassa-Azzi, developed
an enormous army patrolling their extended borders from enemy advancements. As these
people mingled with different kingdoms, they developed a better understanding of
politics and treaties. They managed to remain neutral with surrounding empires even
though wars were fought near their territories.
Due to the overwhelmingly fertile soil, Arme-Shoopria grew a variety of wheats,
barley, and produce. Pastoral agriculture was practiced mainly on their highlands,
domesticating sheep and goats. Their diet consisted of breads, dairy products from the
goats, and wild herbal plants abundant in this region. Arme-Shoopria merchants began
conducting businesses with their bordering southern neighbors, the Assyrians. They
served as the middle men between the Hittite and Assyrian Empires by bartering goods
essential to these kingdoms. As these daily business contacts were created, the Assyrians
named these people the Armens and their land as Armenia.
Located mostly in Cilicia and the northern portion of Mesopotamia, Mitanni was
the first powerful kingdom, posing as a formidable rival to the Hittites, Egyptians, and
the Assyrians. The Mitanni kingdom included 150 tribes which mostly consisted of
Hurrians, Hayassa-Azzis, and Arme-Shooprias (see map 1). This homogenous mixture of
tribes from the mountainous and flatland areas contributed to the military and political
strength of the kingdom. These people practiced the same agricultural techniques and
methods as their neighbors, growing produce, wheat, and barley. Between 1,900 to 1,200
B.C, the Mitanni had reached its zenith of strength. They subjugated the Assyrian and
Egyptian kingdoms, including the cities of Nineveh, Ashur, Kirkuk, Calah,
Washshak-anni, Khorsbad, extending south into Phoenicia. Under the reign of King
Suppiluliuma, the Hittites invaded the Mitanni territory, conquering their kingdom during
the 13th century B.C. The Egyptian king Thutmose III of the 16th dynasty refered to the
Mitanni as a respectable and mighty kingdom of wise warriors (Kyurin 1984:45).
Located between Lake Van and extending west to Lake Urmia, a new kingdom
formed consisting of eight tribes during the 13 century B.C, named the Uratri
confederation. The purpose for their confederation was to resist the Assyrian invasions
in this region of Anatolia. Although their unity was strong, during King Salmanazar�s
reign (1280-1261 B.C.) an enormous military plan was unleashed upon the Uratri
kingdom. Their entire kingdom witnessed a massive destruction by the Assyrian army
looting and plundering cities, as well as taking Uratri citizens as slaves. Naiyran tribal
groups, which dwelled in and around the Arme-Shoopria land, consisted of about 80
tribes. Sixty Naiyran kings are remembered in Assyrian inscriptions, stating their strong
will and resistance to the Assyrian advancements. From the very beginning, the Naiyran
confederation disregarded all Assyrian treaties, attacking whenever they pleased. The
Assyrians took advantage of the civil matters by disrupting the leadership of the
kingdom and raiding the Naiyran land. Many cities and structures were destroyed
causing the downfall of the Naiyri confederation in the 13th century B.C.
Uratri once again rose to power establishing a new name for their kingdom,
Urartu. The capital was relocated to the southern shores of Lake Van in 977 B.C. Under
the leadership of King Sardon I (833 to 829 B.C), and Dayan-Ashuri, Urartu invaded the
Assyrian kingdom. They damaged the kingdom�s irrigation system preventing water
from the Euphrates River to reach the crop. Uratian inscriptions during King Espoini�s
reign state that the kingdom was known as the Biainilia confederation, meaning the land
of the many tribes in Aramaic. For the first time, Urartu began to expand its borders on
the northeastern and southern sections. Thirsting for the riches that this area provided,
they began warring with the local tribes, conquering their lands and wealth. The
Assyrians viewed this act as a threat to their own national security.
King Menuas (810-786 B.C.) began building many public structures for the
Urartu people. People gathered in the large large marketplaces filled with numerous
exotic items from the east. Discussions occurred daily amongst the people, debating on
issues concerning politics and their personal lives. Irrigation systems were built making
the farmers lives much easier. Water from various rivers flowed directly to the crops
vastly increasing the ratio of production. They also built a sewage system that is still in
use in Armenia today. It is an advanced system carrying waste water from the
agricultural areas out from the city. Gardening became popular among the nobles, who
dedicated at least half an acre of their land to numerous types of orchard trees and
flowers.
Argishti I (786-760 B.C.) advanced into the north from the Araks River and
entered the Ararat valley, and established two cities. He built the city of Erebuni and
Argishtikhinili proclaiming it as the glory of the Urartu golden period in 775 B.C. The
Eriakha and Diakhoi tribes, dwelling east of the Akhoryan River, offered their loyalty to
the Urartian nation, sending them many honorable gifts. Eventually Uratian borders
included all of Lake Sevan extending south to the Assyrian Empire. Urartian and
Assyrian forces constantly battled each other destroying many of their cities, public
structures, agricultural fields, and damaging their economic system. With a secret
military alliance between the Scythians, they captured the capital city of Tushpa in 590
B.C. From then on Urartu ceased to exist as a kingdom.
Armenians worshipped numerous deities quite similar to their surrounding
kingdoms. Astoatz, the supreme god, was responsible for the creation of the universe.
Anahit, the mother god was very popular among the people, protecting the earth, and
serving as a guardian for the Armenians. Vahag, the god of war, aided the Armenians
with their battles and protected the innocent. Astghik, the god of love and beauty, was
mainly worshipped by females. Mher, the Sun and fire god, was first worshipped during
the first arrival of Zoraostrianism in Armenia. In the Naiyran and Urartu kingdoms, two
other gods were worshipped, Hayk and Ara. These were the primary gods,
overwhelmingly powerful and sympathetic towards the populous.
These different tribes inhabiting in Anatolia and the Caucasus united forming the
Armenian nation. This process took numerous centuries assimilating over 100 different
cultures into one. Arme-Shoopria and Hayassa-Azzi constituted the core and the majority
in this region forming the Armenian country and the Armenian language
An Armenian kingdom known as Vagh, existed during the late 500�s, to the early
600�s, under the leadership of Baruyr Nahabed. This Armenian kingdom gained control
of the territory that once belonged to the Urartu kingdom, before their downfall. The
Vagh kingdom consumed almost all of Greater Armenia. Baruyr Nahabed aided the
Medes, in the annihilation of the Assyrian, and the Urartian Empire, thus as reward for
his loyalty, he was granted the title as king of Armenia. All four of the Armenian tribes
had united, and the many smaller tribes that previously belonged to the Urartu�s, now
were a part of Armenia. Baruyr became the first Armenian king to represent the Armens,
strengthening the newly founded army, and his fortresses. Shortly after, Armenia was
invaded by Cyprus the Great, who had already conquered the Mede kingdom. After three
major invasions by Cyprus the Great, the entire kingdom had fallen under his rule. From
the 6th century to the 4th century B.C, Armenia became a part of the Persian
Achaemenid Empire. Armenia was divided into satrapies, or states, that forced the
Armenians to pay heavy taxes to the Persian king. During this period the first Armenian
dynasty, the Yervanduni�s(590-200 B.C) rose to power. They were appointed as rulers of
the Armenian Satrapies. There were still a few tribal groups that were not united with
the Armenians, but in the latter century the majority joined Armenia and the remaining
joined the Georgians.
During the Persian Achaemenids dominion over Armenia, the country divided
into three main regions of Greater Armenia, Lesser Armenia, and Sophene. With the
invading Macedonian army, Alexander the Great conquered Persia in 331 B.C, along
with Armenia. The Greeks appointed Mithranes from the Yervanduni dynasty as the new
governor of Armenia. With the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C, his vastly
conquered territories were divided among his three generals, one ruled Macedonia, the
other Egypt, and the third, Seleucus Nicator acquired the bulk of the old Persian Empire.
Seleucid dominion over Armenia lasted 140 years(330 B.C to 190 B.C). Antiochus the
Great, a successor to Seleucus appointed two Armenian governors, Artashes, and Zareh,
over the two Armenian provinces. These two individuals overthrew the Yervanduni
dynasty, and Artashes became the ruler of Greater Armenian, and Zareh became the ruler
of Lesser Armenia.
Artashes proclaimed himself as king of Armenia, due to his enormous military
strength, and political influence. His main purpose for becoming the supreme leader of
Armenia was to unite the three Armenian regions. With this new mission, he established
the Artashesyan dynasty. His mission was successful, and he achieved his goal of
cultural unity under one king. The very few remaining Armenian tribal groups were
united under Artashes authority, in which they were initiated into the kingdom. The
Seleucid influence and authority had diminished, leaving Armenia to increase in strength,
population, and in culture.
King Artashes had two male offspring�s named, Artavazd I (160-115 B.C), and
Tigran I (115-95 B.C). These sons were responsible for continuing their fathers legacy
of a united and powerful Armenia. During this period the Parthian Empire was rising
into its glory, and they began an invasion on Armenia. In a battle with the Parthian king,
Mithranes, Artavazd I was defeated, and the Parthians manage to capture Tigran I son,
Tigran II. This boy was kept as a prisoner for many years. He was taught the Parthian
language and literature. The Parthian supreme plan for this young man was to seat him
as the king of Armenia, so that they may control him and his kingdom. Tigran II (95-45
B.C) was appointed as ruler of Armenia. The Parthian plan came to a halt, when Tigran
II disregarded all orders sent by the Parthian king. In the heart of this man burned the
flame of revenge, for the many years he had to suffered under their harsh treatment, and
for the death of his uncle. A decree was sent throughout the entire kingdom requesting
young men older than the age of 18 to join the national army. Tigran managed to
establish and train an enormous army, to begin his expansion plan over the Middle East,
and Asia Minor. As ruler of Armenia, Tigran not only built his army, but also increased
the literacy rate. Hellenistic culture was adapted by the Armenians, as with the existing
Armenian culture. Greek gods were worshipped along with Armenian Gods, and many
new Greek temples were built for worship as well. Many written works were created in
Greek and Armenian. Tigran II alliance with Mithradates IV of Pontus proved to be
successful in stopping the Roman domination to spread into this region. By now the
Armenian borders extended from the Caucasus to Lebanon, and from Mesopotamia to the
Pontic Alps. The Armenian feudal nobility, the Nakharars were well established, and
each Nakharar possessed their own army and city.
Artavazd II, Tigran the Greats son, was not as successful as his noble father. Not
being satisfied with his fathers treaties with the Parthians, he decided to help the Roman
general, Anthony, in destroying the Parthians. Anthony�s rival, Octanianos sent Atavazd
a letter that discouraged Artavazd from helping Anthony, thus Anthony was left alone on
the battle ground with the Parthians. He managed to escape from death, returning to
Armenia, where he spent the cold winter in Artavazd�s palace. Anthony captured
Artavazd II, sending him to Egypt to marry Cleopatra, but when he refused to marry her,
he was executed.
After the death of Artashes II, Tigran III ruled Armenia until 8 BC, when Tigran
IV reigned in Armenia. He married a Greek princes, Eratoi. The Romans began
disputing with Tigran IV concerning many domestic issues, so they decided to remove
him from his ruling position as king of Armenia. As a replacement, Artavazd was
appointed as ruler of Armenia, but unfortunately his reign was only for three years.
Tigran IV was once again appointed as king of Armenia, due to many civil uprisings
caused by the people. As a result of a tragic battle with a group of invading northern
tribal nations, Tigran IV was brutally killed, leaving the nation without a monarch. The
Armenian Artashesyan dynasty ceased to exist. During the first few decades after Tigran
IV death, Armenia was governed by Roman appointed Armenian officials, Areabarzan,
Artavazd IV, Vanon, and Zenon.
In 52 AD, the Parthian Arshak royal family designated Trdat as the monarch of
Armenia, and the Arshakuni royal family establishes itself in Armenia (52-428 AD).
Trdat fled to Aterpatakan so that the Romans would not apprehend him. He fled to
 
Aterpatakan, a region near the Caspian Sea. In 60 AD, Rome appointed Tigran VI as the
new king of Armenia, but because of increasing pressure from the Parthian army on the
Roman legions, Rome decided to crown Trdat as king, in replace of a peace agreement
between the two nations. From then on the Armenian monarchs were supposed to
receive their royal crown from Rome only. After Trdat, Sanatrok(80-109 AD) governed
Armenia, and in 217-252 AD, Trdat II reigned over Armenia.
Within the early III century AD, Iran underwent many political changes. The
enormous and powerful Parthian Empire was totally annihilated by the Sassanid Persian
Empire (226-651 AD).
During King Trdats sovereignty (298-330 AD), Armenia remained independent,
ruling its people, and the country freely. A new spiritual revolution began in Armenia,
ending Paganism. The religion of Christianity replaced the previous pagan gods and
goddesses. Christianity was first introduced to Armenian merchants who traveled to the
cities of Antioch, Edesa, and Nisibis. Besides this, Bartholomew, and Thaddeus, who
were the disciples of Jesus Christ, preached in Armenia many times. The person most
credited with the expansion of the gospel was St. Gregory Partev. Gregory�s father Anak,
brutally killed king Trdat�s father. As a method of punishment and revenge king Trdat,
ordered that Anak�s entire family and wealth annihilated. During this horrible scene,
Gregory managed to escape, fleeing to Leontius, the Archbishop of Caesarea. It was
there, under the Archbishops strict disciplinary methods that Gregory learned Christian
morals and standards, ultimately converting him into Christianity. After many prolonged
years in Leontius, Gregory risked his life to return to Armenia. He went to convert his
beloved people into the right path to eternal salvation. King Trdat was told to by his
royal advisors of the return of his enemy that was supposed to have been killed. Upon
Gregory�s arrival to Armenia, he was apprehended by the local law keeping unite, and he
was put in a place called the Khor Virap. He was kept in this small underground cell for
15 years. Meanwhile, king Trdat was suffering from an ailment known as Lycanthrophy.
His sister, pertaining to the Christian faith, pleaded to Trdat that Gregory be released
from his death sentence. Trdat being weakened from the disease agreed, and Gregory
was released from Khor Virap. Trdat�s sister informed Gregory of Trdats sickness, and
Gregory went off to the palace to cure Trdat of his disease. By the power of Jesus Christ
through Gregory, Trdat was cured. After that moment Trdat accepted Christianity, and
declared it a state belief in 301 AD. King Trdat ordered all Pagan temples, treasuries,
libraries, and archives destroyed. Grand churches replaced Pagan temples, and many
fierce and bloody battles broke out with the remaining pagans priests and people.
Eventually these battles ended, and Armenia becomes the first nation as a whole, to
embrace Christianity.
After the death of Trdat III, Khosrove III (330-338 AD) reigned as king of
Armenia. He was known and well respected as a wise ruler, who made many great and
important decisions benefiting the nation. Khosrov III dies in 338 AD, so as the next
procedure to his crown is his son Tiran (338-350 AD). A new war began between Rome
and the Sassanid Persians, this drastically effected Armenia�s national unity. Although
Arshak II was able to establish order in Armenia, he was not able to maintain that order
for a prolonged period of time. At the end of the IV century AD, the Armenian
Nakharars divide into two categories, Roman, and Persian supporters. Many traitors and
heroes arose from this situation, claiming many innocent lives. This civil unrest in the
kingdom continued, placing the country in a dire position.
Meanwhile, the state church experienced an enormous transformation. In the
Armenian church the mass was held in the Greek, or Syriac languages. King
Vramshapuh, and Catholicos Sahak, who was the supreme authority and priest in the
Armenian church, appointed an educated monk, Mesrob Mashdots to create the
Armenian alphabet. This was the beginning of the unification process of the nation, and
the state religion. There are many theories concerning the creation of the alphabet.
Some historians and professors assume, based on historical artifacts, that the alphabet
was indeed found, and not created. The remaining intellects are surely positive that the
alphabet was created by Mesrob Mashdots. In any situation and theory, the Armenian
alphabet was introduced to the people between 400-404 AD. From this historic moment
in the Armenian cultural and political advancement, the Golden Age began. This Golden
Age of Armenia brings forth many original works in history, philosophy, hagiography,
homilies, hymns, and apologetics. This Alphabet consist of 36 letters, and during this
age, the literacy rate increases.
Persian Sassanids sought to bring the original Pagan faith of Zoroastrianism as
Armenia�s long forgotten religion. This plot was created so the Armenian Nakharars
would depend heavily upon the Sassanid Empire. Once the public was informed about
this evil scheme, the entire nation rose in a campaign to protect their religion, and their
personal identity. New heavily armed forces were established as a method of defending
and striking Persian invading armies. An important battle took place on the plains of
Avarayr in 451 AD. Armenia�s commander in chief of the national army, Vardan
Mamikonyan, and his fierce and valiant confrontation with the Persian army results in the
death of this very important leader. Armenian�s continued to struggle in this bloody war
for religious freedom until 484 AD, when the Treaty of Nvasark is created. With this
new treaty, the Persians agreed to allow the Armenians to worship their god, and to
attend their church, without persecution.
For the Armenian�s the 7th century AD brought with it new battles and blood
shed. The Arab conquest began in the Middle East, Asia Minor, and Armenia. Arabs
invaded the Sassanid Empire, crushing any opposition that interfered with their holy
purpose. In the autumn of 640 AD, Armenia was conquered by the Arabs. The capital
city of Dvin became the official governing site of the Arab appointed governor of
Armenia. The Georgian and Aghvank kingdoms were incorporate into Armenia. The
Arab Caliphate allowed the three dominant Armenian royal families, the Bagratuni�s,
Artzruni�s, and the Syuni�s to organize a powerful army in the mid 8th century AD. The
purpose of this decision was so that Armenian�s could aid the Arabs in defeating
Byzantine forces invading their empire. With this new opportunity, the Armenian�s used
their grand army to remove the Arab dominance from their country. Eight important and
strategic cities, including Dvin were recaptured. After the prolonged bloody battles
concluded, the Armenian army had drastically weakened the Arab rule in Armenia,
allowing the Armenian�s, in 849-855 AD to begin with the rebuilding process. Once the
Arab domination over Armenia had weakened, Zackaria the Catholicos decided that it
was time for an Armenian monarch to become the supreme authority in the country.
There was an overwhelming amount of pressure from various Armenian nobility�s, so
that their nobility would become the new royal authority in Armenia. After many
invigorating and tiresome meetings, he decided that Ashot I (886-890 AD) of the
Bagratuni nobility would become the new king of Armenia. His royal family became an
enormous and powerful strength that governed Greater and Lesser Armenia. The Arab
Caliphate, and the Byzantine Empire recognized Armenia�s independence by sending a
crown to Ashot I. He established great relations with both empires, guaranteeing
Armenia�s safety and well being. Smbad I (890-914) was successful in uniting many of
the Armenian nobility�s, causing an enormous allegiance with the king. The only
Nakharar, or nobility, that did not unite with the king was the Artzeruni�s. Gagik
Artzeruni was proclaimed the new monarch of Armenia by the rival Arab Aterpetakhan
kingdom, that was near the Caspian Sea. Great uprisings began in the kingdom, causing
the entire nation to divide amongst each other. Finally in 914 AD Smbad I was
beheaded, and the country was left without a ruler. Shortly after, Armenia became a
victim to a brutal famine, that left many starving on the streets. With this famine, the
Armenian Nakharars rejoin each other, accepting the Bagratuni rule. Ashot II (914-928
AD) defeated the many small but significant Arab fortresses and cities in Armenia. The
country gradually began the rebuilding process, improving social conditions, and many
public structures. Ashot II was replaced by Abas, and after Abas, Ashot III became the
new king. This man proved to be an intelligent monarch, he built a grand national army
for the national defense, and he appointed Gor the new commander in chief of the
Armenian national army. The kingdoms capital was relocated to the heavily fortified city
of Ani. This royal family succeeded in ruling Armenia until 1045 AD, when Gagik II
(1042-1045), became the king. Byzantine was able to deceive and capture Gagik II,
resulting in the utter destruction of Ani, and the Bagratuni domination in Armenia.
So with the end of the Bagratuni sovereignty, Armenia fell victim to Byzantine
and Seljuk invasions. Shortly after, anarchy establishes along with the new Seljuk
control over Armenia. Many Armenians both benefited and suffered under the Mongol
rule. Business thrived in the metropolitan cities, but the people ended up paying more
taxes to each khan.
From 1080 to 1375 AD, in Cilicia, a new Armenian kingdom was established. In
1080 AD, Ruben, who is thought to be a part of the Bagratuni royal family, moved into
the northern mountainous portion of Cilicia. Him and his army invaded this area
removing any Byzantine domination over this territory. Rubens son, Constantine, also
continued his fathers dream of creating a new Armenia. Constantine managed to capture
many fortresses, cities, and villages, ultimately increasing his kingdoms size and strength.
Cilicia was originally a part of ancient Armenia, until Tigran the Great�s enormous
kingdom was demolished by the Romans. European crusaders were more of a threat to
the new Cilician Armenian kingdom, then an advantage of a Christian force near a
Christian kingdom. New and old rivals, such as the Byzantin�s, Iconia�s Seljuk khans,
and Antioch�s Latin kingdoms were worried about a mighty kingdom neighboring their
own kingdoms, so they wanted to destroy the Cilician Armenian kingdom. In 1198 AD,
the Armenian kingdom in Cilicia managed to defeat Byzantine, and any other military
opposition. With this new advancement Levon II (1198-1219) expanded his kingdom�s
borders up to the Meditterean cost, increasing trade. There were three royal Armenian
dynasties, the Rubenians (1187-1219 AD), the Hetoumian dynasty (1224-1342 AD), and
the Lusigian dynasty (1342-1375). These dynasties contributed an overwhelming amount
of time and effort into keeping this only independent Armenian kingdom in existence
amongst the many other rival kingdoms. These royal families adopted many of the Latin
influences from Europe and Byzantine, such as the Latin language, literature, and culture.
The Armenian Catholicosate was moved from Echmiadzin to Sis, but because of constant
political pressure from the �Eastern Divines�, an anti-Greek and Roman theologian
organization brought the Catholicosate back to Echmiadzin. Many new invasions begun
by the Egyptian and Iconia�s sultans, weakened the Cilician Armenian kingdom, causing
this enormous kingdom to collapse in 1375. The last Armenian king, Levon V was
exiled from Cilicia, bringing an end to this kingdom. Printing presses had been
established by Catholicos Mikael of Sebastia in Venice, Echmiadzin, Isphahan, and
Amsterdam.
Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, and soon after much of
Armenia was under their sovereignty. The Turks were converted into the Islam faith,
granting the Christians and the Jew, who were in their empire, religious freedom. In
return for this privilege, they would have to pay a jizya, or tax, so that they would have
protection. Overall, the Armenian population under the Turkish rule suffered greatly, but
many of the metropolitan cities prospered because of trade.

THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

The Armenian genocide was conceived in the late 1800's by Sultan Abdul-Hamid
II, who was the leader of the Ottoman Empire. He began a massive campaign of
widespread communal hostility towards the Armenians by the Kurds, Circassians, and
the Turkish population. Heavily populated Armenian cities in the eastern Anatolian
peninsula were being massacred ruthlessly. Armenian political organizations such as the
Dashnaks, Hnchaks, and the Ramkavars were developed so that movements towards

independence would progress in the Armenian communities. The plead for help by the
Armenians was accepted by the tzar of Russia. The Treaty of San Stefano in 1878
promised the Armenians that an end will be put upon the massacres, but with the
intervention of the British government, a renegotiation of the San Stefano Treaty was
established. Under article 61 of the Treaty of Berlin, which replaced the previous treaty,
agreed to imply the necessary reforms in the Ottoman Empire for the Armenians. Soon
after, Turkish officials did not accomplish any significant reforms towards this
agreement, resulting in more massacres. Attempts made by Russia was halted, due to
rival European nations disagreements over this issue. Eventually many more years past,
and there was no evidence that this barbaric act was to cease. As more innocent men,
women, and children were dying, groups of men gathered to form armies, so that the
lives of the innocent could be protected.
The situation became even worse, when the Ottoman Empire was losing its
territory in Europe. Political uprisings began by the Turks, added to the downfall of the
Ottoman Empire. In 1908, a revolutionary movement allowed three leaders, Mehmed
Talat, Ismail Enver, and Ahmed Djemal to overthrow the sultan. They established the
Central Committee of the Young Turk's Party. This new government supposedly
promised new reforms for the Armenians, and an end to the sultans harsh rule. These
men introduced the Pan- Islamism idea to their supporters. This idea consisted of the plan
to unite the Muslim nations of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan,
Kirghizia, and Kazakhstan under the Turkish rule. Armenia acted as a barrier for the
Turkish plan, so as a method of solving this problem, they began the Diaspora. The
Turkish government sent the Armenians into the Syrian desert, where more than 60 to 80
percent died from hunger, and dehydration. Women and children were rapped and
murdered by Turkish soldiers, and hordes of bandits. Under the leadership of Dr.Mehmed
Nazim, Dr. Behaeddin Shakir, and Zia Gokalp death camps were established for the total
annihilation of the Armenian population. In 1915, the Turkish government began its
rapid process of killing many of the surviving Armenians, until no more Armenians were
left as evidence of their vicious plan. Also since World War I began, Turkey used the
war as an excuse to wipe out the Armenian population. Armenians were charged for
treason against the Turkish government for protecting their families and loved ones. This
caused more widespread killings by the soldiers and the common people.
By now the eastern portion of Armenia, which is now the present day Armenia,
proclaimed its independence from the Turkish government, and joined the Trans
Caucasus unity. This political unity was against the rapid Turkish movement into the
Caucasus, and into central Asia. The Armenian population in the western portion, which
is now the republic of Turkey, continued to be slaughtered rapidly. Not all Turks agreed
with this plan of extermination. The Turkish governors of Aleppo, Ankara, and
Kastamonu, were released from their political positions for not complying with the
massacre of the Armenians. From an Armenian population of 3 to 4 million on the
eastern region of the Anatolian peninsula, 1.5 million were massacred by the Turks.
Many attempts were made by the US, and many other European nations, to
resolve the Armenian problem, but non proved to be helpful in bringing an end to this
senseless act. After the end of World War I, Woodrow Wilson drew the new boundaries
of Armenia, that consisted of the ancestral land that was taken away by the Turks. The
borders drawn by Wilson was accepted at first, but then the Turkish government rejected
this new proposal. The only salvation for the Armenians resulted in the joining of the
Soviet Union. Lenin ordered an agreement to be made with the Turks, setting up a new
border amongst Armenia, and Turkey. Although this proved to be a great step in creating
peace, it also caused the Armenians to lose more land. Approximately 30 to 50
kilometers were lost from the western side, including MT Ararat, and its bordering cities
and villages. We also lost Karabagh that was on the eastern side. That is why a recent,
fierce war broke out with Azerbaijan, and the Armenians living there.
Armenia became an independent nation in 1990, when the Soviet Union
collapsed. Since then our country has tried to maintain a strong government, and to
reopen closed factories, that serve as a vital key factor in advancing our country to
international standards.
 
 
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