Ermonye
Armenia is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
During the traditional Arthurian period, either Persian representatives or leaders in revolt against Persia ruled this country. According to the Alliterative Morte Arthure, the land was allied to Lucius, Emperor of Rome, and assisted in Lucius’s war against Arthur.
However, the thirteenth-century French romance Floriant et Florete makes King Turcans the ruler of Armenia during King Arthur’s time, in another legend he is called Aaron.
Armenia | 0 to the 9th century AD
Ancient Kingdoms ruled between the ninth century BC to the first century AD, such as the Urartu, Orontid and Artaxiad dynasties.
Roman and Persian Influence
Armenia became a buffer state between the Roman Empire and the Parthian (later Sassanian) Empire. The region often found itself caught in the struggles between these two major powers.
The adoption of Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD by King Tiridates III, under the influence of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, marked a significant event in Armenian history. Armenia thus became the first nation to officially embrace Christianity.
Byzantine and Sassanian Periods
In the fourth century, the Armenian Kingdom was divided between the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) and the Sassanian Persian Empire. The division of Armenia continued throughout the centuries, with various regions coming under Byzantine or Persian control.
Arab and Islamic Rule
In the seventh century, Arab Muslim forces conquered much of the Armenian territory. Despite the Arab rule, the Armenian Church and culture persisted.
Sources
Alliterative Morte Arthure | c. 1400
Le Morte Darthur | Sir Thomas Malory, 1469-1470