Armenia, situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, boasts a rich and complex history that spans millennia. From its early days as a home to tribal confederations like Hayasa-Azzi and the advanced civilization of Urartu, Armenia evolved through periods of Persian domination, Hellenistic influence, and significant regional power under Tigranes the Great. The adoption of Christianity in 301 CE marked a defining moment, establishing Armenia as the first nation to embrace the new faith. Throughout the medieval period, Armenia navigated between Byzantine and Sassanian control, later facing Arab conquest and flourishing under the Bagratid Dynasty. The resilience of the Armenian people persisted through the Kingdom of Cilicia, Persian and Ottoman domination, and the tumultuous events of the 20th century, including the Armenian Genocide and Soviet rule. With the declaration of independence in 1991, Armenia embarked on a new chapter of sovereignty and development.
Chronological history of Armenia
Prehistoric and Early Bronze Age
- Circa 4000 BC: Early settlements in the Armenian Highlands, including the Shulaveri-Shomu culture.
- Circa 3500 BC: Development of Kura-Araxes culture, known for its distinctive pottery and early metallurgy.
Bronze Age
- Circa 2000 BC: Establishment of various states such as Hayasa-Azzi in western Armenia.
- Circa 1500 BC: Nairi tribal confederation emerged, which included multiple Armenian tribes.
Kingdom of Urartu (1000-600 BC)
- Circa 1000 BC: Formation of the Kingdom of Urartu, centred around Lake Van.
- 782 BC: Founding of the fortress of Erebuni (modern-day Yerevan) by King Argishti I.
- 735 BC: Urartu reaches its zenith under King Sarduri II, controlling large territories in the Armenian Highlands.
- 600 BC: Decline and fall of Urartu due to invasions by the Medes and Scythians.
Orontid Dynasty (570-201 BC)
- 570 BC: The Orontid dynasty establishes control over Armenia, transitioning from Urartian rule.
- 553 BC: Armenia becomes a satrapy under the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
- 334 BC: Alexander the Great’s conquests lead to Armenian regions being influenced by Hellenistic culture.
- 321 BC: Armenia gains a degree of independence following the death of Alexander the Great.
Hellenistic Period (321-190 BC)
- 301 BC: Partitioning of Alexander’s empire results in Seleucid control over Armenia.
- 260 BC: Formation of the Kingdom of Commagene in southwestern Armenia.
Artaxiad Dynasty (190-12 BC)
- 189 BC: Artaxias I establishes the Artaxiad dynasty, declaring himself king after the Seleucid defeat at the Battle of Magnesia.
- 95-55 BC: Reign of Tigranes the Great, who expanded Armenia into a major regional power, extending from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean.
- 69 BC: Tigranes the Great is defeated by Rome, leading to the beginning of Roman influence over Armenia.
Roman and Parthian Influence
- Roman-Parthian Struggles
- 66 BC: Roman General Pompey invades Armenia.
- 1 AD: Transition from the Artaxiad to the Arsacid Dynasty.
- 12 AD: The Artaxiad dynasty is overthrown due to suspicions of Parthian allegiance. Rome and Parthia begin vying for influence over Armenia.
- 52 AD: Tiridates I, a Parthian prince of the Arsacid dynasty, is installed as king by the Parthians. This initiates a period of intense Roman-Parthian rivalry over Armenia.
- 58-63 AD: The Roman-Parthian War of 58-63 AD, also known as the War of the Armenian Succession, ensues. Rome initially installed Tigranes VI as a pro-Roman king, but Parthian counterattacks led to the Treaty of Rhandeia, establishing a balance of power where Parthia nominated kings and Rome crowned them.
- Middle Period of Roman and Parthian Influence
- 66 AD: Tiridates I is crowned king of Armenia by Emperor Nero in Rome, symbolizing the compromise between the two great powers.
- 114-118 AD: Armenia briefly became a Roman province under Emperor Trajan but was later restored as a client kingdom.
- Arsacid Dynasty and the Spread of Christianity
- 224 AD: The Sasanian Empire replaces the Parthian Empire, leading to renewed conflicts over Armenia. The Sasanids view the Armenian Arsacid kings as potential rivals.
- 252 AD: The Sasanids invade Armenia, but Roman support helps maintain the Arsacid rule in parts of the kingdom.
- 298 AD: Armenia is unified under Tiridates IV with Roman assistance. He strengthens the central authority and initiates significant administrative reforms.
- 301 AD: Tiridates IV converts to Christianity, making Armenia the first state to adopt Christianity as its official religion. This aligns Armenia more closely with Roman cultural and religious policies while fostering a sense of national identity against Sasanian influence.
- Final Division and Decline of Independence
- 330s AD: Tiridates’ successors face continued Sasanian pressure. The city of Dvin is founded, furthering administrative centralization.
- 338-350 AD: The Sasanids intermittently control Armenia, deposing several Arsacid kings.
- 387 AD: Armenia is partitioned between the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire and the Sasanian Empire, marking the end of a unified independent Armenia.
- 405 AD: Creation of the Armenian alphabet by Mesrop Mashtots.
- 428 AD: The last Arsacid king is deposed, and Armenia becomes a Sasanian province, concluding its era of semi-independent rule under the Arsacid dynasty.
Medieval Period
- Post-Arsacid Period (5th Century)
- 451: Battle of Avarayr led by Vardan Mamikonian against Persian forces to defend Christianity. Despite military defeat, the Treaty of Nvarsak in 484 ensured religious freedom for Armenians.
- Persian and Byzantine Control (5th-7th Centuries)
- 5th Century: Armenia under Sassanid rule with a series of marzpans (governors).
- 6th Century: Continuing struggle between Byzantine and Persian control. The Armenian Church solidifies its independence from both Rome and Constantinople.
- Arab Caliphate Rule (7th-9th Centuries)
- 7th Century: The Arab conquest of Persia brought Armenia under the control of the Umayyad Caliphate.
- 8th Century: Armenia experiences relative autonomy under Arab governors but faces heavy taxation and occasional revolts.
- Bagratid Armenia (9th-11th Centuries)
- 885: Ashot I of the Bagratuni family is recognized as king by both the Abbasid Caliphate and the Byzantine Empire, marking the start of the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia.
- 10th Century: Flourishing of Armenian culture and economy. Notable kings include Ashot II (“the Iron”) and Gagik I.
- 1045: Fall of the Bagratid kingdom to the Byzantine Empire, followed by the Seljuk invasions.
- Kingdom of Vaspurakan and Syunik (10th-11th Centuries)
- 908: Establishment of the Kingdom of Vaspurakan under the Artsruni dynasty.
- 987: Formation of the Kingdom of Syunik, which remains independent until the Seljuk conquest in the late 11th century.
- Cilician Armenia (12th-14th Centuries)
- 1080: Formation of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia by Ruben I. It became a significant political and cultural centre.
- 1198: Levon II is crowned as the first king of Cilicia, recognized by the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy.
- 1375: Fall of Cilician Armenia to the Mamluks, ending Armenian political sovereignty until modern times.
- Mongol and Ottoman Periods (13th-19th Centuries)
- 1236: Mongol invasions devastate Armenia, leading to its incorporation into the Ilkhanate.
- 16th Century: Armenia is divided between the Ottoman Empire and Safavid Persia, solidifying the end of medieval Armenian autonomy.
- 1828: Eastern Armenia was ceded to Russia following the Russo-Persian War, becoming part of the Russian Empire.
- 1878: Congress of Berlin raises the Armenian Question, focusing on reforms in Armenian-inhabited regions under Ottoman rule.
Early 20th Century and World War I
- 1908: Young Turk Revolution in the Ottoman Empire.
- 1915-1917: The Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman government, resulting in the deaths of up to 1.5 million Armenians.
- 1918: The Republic of Armenia is declared on May 28, after the collapse of the Russian Empire and the Ottoman withdrawal.
Interwar Period and Soviet Era
- 1920: The Republic of Armenia is invaded by Soviet forces on November 29, leading to the establishment of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (Armenian SSR).
- 1921: Treaty of Kars was signed, fixing borders between Turkey and Soviet Armenia.
- 1930s: Great Purge in the Soviet Union claims many Armenian intellectuals and leaders.
- 1941-1945: Armenian soldiers participate significantly in the Soviet military during World War II.
Post-World War II and Late Soviet Period
- 1965: First public commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan, marking the 50th anniversary.
- 1988: The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict begins as ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast demanded unification with Armenia, leading to violent clashes.
Independence and Modern Era
- 1991: Armenia declares independence from the Soviet Union on September 21, following a referendum.
- 1992-1994: The Nagorno-Karabakh War leads to Armenian control over Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories.
- 1994: A ceasefire agreement was signed, but tensions and occasional clashes continued.
- 2008: Political unrest and protests in Armenia following disputed presidential elections.
- 2018: The Velvet Revolution leads to the peaceful resignation of Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan and the rise of Nikol Pashinyan.
- 2020: Second Nagorno-Karabakh War results in significant territorial losses for Armenia, culminating in a ceasefire brokered by Russia.
Recent Developments
- 2021-2022: Armenia continues to navigate political instability and ongoing negotiations over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
- 2023: Efforts towards normalization of relations with neighbouring countries, including Turkey and Azerbaijan, continue amid internal and external political challenges.
From its ancient roots in the Armenian Highlands to becoming the first Christian nation, Armenia has played a pivotal role in regional politics and culture. The resilience demonstrated through invasions, occupations, and the devastating genocide has shaped a strong national identity. The transition from Soviet rule to independence has ushered in an era of political and economic reforms, positioning Armenia as a key player in the Eurasian region. This historical journey highlights Armenia’s significant contributions to global heritage and its ongoing quest for stability and prosperity.
