The Armenian Empire: The History and Legacy of the Ancient Kingdom of Greater Armenia

For a time, Seleucus I and his successors commanded the largest empire in the world as it stretched from the high plains and deserts of what is now Afghanistan in the east to parts of the Levant and Asia Minor in the west. The empire’s early kings were strong and shrewd and committed to the ideas of Hellenism as much as holding power and expanding the realm of their empire, but later rulers did not prove as capable. In time, the Seleucid royal house often descended into orgies of violence which were driven by ambitious men and women.One general tied to the Seleucids was Artaxias, who founded the Artaxiad dynasty and managed to unite various Armenian regions under his rule and establish a strong central government, which enabled him to wage successful military campaigns against neighbouring powers. Artaxias I the Pious also built the capital city of Artaxata, which became a cultural and economic centre for the Armenian people. The succeeding kings of the Artaxiad dynasty continued to expand the territory of Greater Armenia, which at its height, stretched from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea and from the Caucasus Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea.During the reign of the Artaxiad dynasty, Armenia became a hub of trade and commerce, connecting the Silk Road and the Mediterranean world. The Armenian kings encouraged the development of agriculture, commerce, and arts, and the kingdom became renowned for its skilled artisans, writers, and philosophers. Of course, given its central location, the dynasty also faced numerous challenges, including repeated invasions by the Roman and Parthian empires, internal conflicts, and economic hardships. The dynasty’s resilience and adaptability enabled it to survive for nearly two centuries, leaving behind a rich cultural and political legacy that has endured in the region, even as its historical memory was overshadowed by its more powerful neighbors. After the collapse of the Artaxiad dynasty (at the onset of the 1st century... "Zoroastrianism has always commanded interest way beyond the circles of its actual adherents. Its unbroken history and distinctive beliefs span three millennia, making it one of the world's most venerable faiths - and also a tradition whose ideas have found favour elsewhere. The Three Magi of the New Testament most probably were Zoroastrian priests from the Iranian world; while the enigmatic figure of Zarathushtra (or Zoroaster) himself has exerted continual fascination in the West, influencing the thought of creative artists as diverse as Voltaire, Nietzsche, Yeats and Mozart (whose opera The Magic Flute re-imagines Zoroaster as Sarastro). For many centuries, from the birth of the religion late in the second millennium BC to its later adoption in the third century AD as the state religion of the Sasanian empire, Zoroastrianism - enjoying imperial patronage - profoundly shaped the culture not just of Persia but the whole antique world. For much of its history since the Islamic conquest it has endured as a minority religion, representing a direct link back to the powerful Achaemenids and the ruling Persian dynasties that followed them. The remarkable Zoroastrian story began another chapter in India when, after partial exodus from Iran, the émigré community since the early ninth century has enjoyed religious freedom and in the modern period great economic success. Like many religious communities, Zoroastrians now have a diaspora spread all over the globe."--Front jacket flap For many centuries, from the birth of the religion late in the second millennium BC to its influence on the Achaemenids and later adoption in the third century AD as the state religion of the Sasanian Empire, it enjoyed imperial patronage and profoundly shaped the culture of antiquity. The Magi of the New Testament most probably were Zoroastrian priests from the Iranian world, while the enigmatic figure of Zarathushtra (or Zoroaster) himself has exerted continual fascination in the West, influencing creative artists as diverse as Voltaire, Nietzsche, Mozart and Yeats. This authoritative volume brings together internationally recognised scholars to explore Zoroastrianism in all its rich complexity. Examining key themes such as history and modernity, tradition and scripture, art and architecture and minority status and religious identity, it places the modern Zoroastrians of Iran, and the Parsis of India, in their proper contexts. The book extends and complements the coverage of its companion volume, The Everlasting Flame. The first part of the study discusses the origins of the Armenians, the Urartian Kingdom, Armenia and the Achaemenid, Seleucid, Parthian, Roman, Sasanid and Byzantine periods. It also examines Christinaity in Armenia and the development of an alphabet and literature. The work then continues with the history of Armenia during the Arab, Turkish and Mongol periods. A separate chapter deals with the history of Cilician Armenia and the Crusades. The second part concentrates on the Armenian communities in the Ottoman, Persian, Indian, and Russian empires (1500-1918). It also details the Armenian diaspora in Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, the Arab World, the Far East, and the Americas. The study concludes with lengthy chapters on the history of the three Armenian republics (1918-1920); (1921-1991Soviet Armenia); and the current Armenian republic (1991-2001)

This book traces the continuous history of the faith from the time it was preached by Zoroaster down to the present day - a span of about 3,500 years. First taught among nomads on the Asian steppes, Zoroastrianism became the state religion of the three great Iranian empires and had a remarkable influence on other world faiths: to the east on northern Buddhism, to the west on Judaism, Christianity and Islam. With the conquest of Iran by the Muslim Arabs, Zoroastrianism lost its secular power, but continued to survive as a minority faith. Despite its antiquity, it remains a living religion.

Edited by the leading history of the Republic of Armenia, this is the definitive history of an extraordinary country--from its earliest foundations through the Crusades, the resistance to Ottoman and Tsarist rule, the collapse of the independent state, its brief reemergence after World War I, its subjugation by the Bolsheviks, and the establishment of the new Republic in 1991. Written by the foremost experts on each period in Armenia's history, these volumes are a major contribution to understanding the complexities of Transcaucasia.

This book, now re-issued with a new introduction by Mary Boyce, is the first attempt to trace the continuous history of the faith from the time it was preached by Zoroaster down to the present day -- a span of about 3,500 years. First taught among nomads on the Asian steppes, Zoroastrianism became the state religion of the three great Iranian empires. With the conquest of Iran by the Muslim Arabs, Zoroastrianism lost its secular power but continues to survive as a minority faith Here is the first comprehensive book on the pre-Christian religion in Armenia. The author, a specialist in both Armenian and ancient Iranian languages, is well qualified to give not only an exhaustive survey of the ancient religion but also valuable comments on the folklore, archaeology, and ancient history of a part of the world that deserves to be better known. This is a useful reference work for a wider audience as well as students and specialists on Armenia. "A Concise History of the Armenian People examines the history of the Armenians in relation to that of the rest of the world. Its main purpose is to familiarize Armenians and non-Armenians with a people and culture that is absent from most history courses and texts." "The book is highly recommended for teachers of global civilizations as well as those specializing in the history of Russia, Ottoman Empire, Iran, and the Caucasus."--BOOK JACKET. Here is the first comprehensive book on the pre-Christian religion in Armenia. The author gives both an exhaustive survey of the ancient religion and valuable comments on the folklore, archaeology, and ancient history of this part of the world. This is a useful reference work for a wider audience as well as students and specialists on Armenia. The influence of geography on the course of history has been recognized since the time of the ancient Greeks, but there have been few countries in the world where geography has played a more important role than it has in Armenia. Zoroastrianism is of enormous importance in the history of religions. It became the state religion of the three great Iranian empires and influenced other world faiths: northern Buddhism and Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed credal religions, and it has probably had more influence on mankind, directly and indirectly, than any other single faith. v.1. The dynastic periods from antiquity to the fourteenth century v. 2. Foreign dominion to statehood the fifteenth century to the twentieth century. George A. Bournoutian. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [453]-467) And Index. By James R. Russell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 549-557) And Index.