Ancient Historians About Armenia

Ancient historians referred to antique Armenia by the name that is in use even today. That’s because Armenia predates most of the surrounding countries and nations, which is easily overlooked by some, even though it testifies to the continuation of Armenia from distant antiquity until today.

Armenia has survived in spite of the significant political turmoil, occupation, genocide, and emerging and disappearance of entire empires and nations in the region.

Strabo, Geography 16.1.19

“We have said that Media and Armenia lie to the north, and Adiabene and Mesopotamia to the west of Babylonia.

For the Medes, Armenians, and Babylonians, the three greatest nations in these parts, were from the first in the practice, on convenient opportunities, of waging continual war with each other, and then making peace, which state of things continued till the establishment of the Parthian empire.

The Parthians subdued the Medes and Babylonians, but never at any time conquered the Armenians. They made frequent inroads into their country, but the people were not subdued, and Tigranes, as I have mentioned in the description of Armenia, opposed them with great vigour and success.”

Note: None of the countries mentioned exist today, except for Armenia.

Appian, The Mithridatic Wars 13.87

(About the most victorious battle of Mithridates over Rome)

“Mithridates [Mithridates VI of Pontus] manufactured arms in every town. The soldiers he recruited were almost wholly Armenians.

From these he selected the bravest to the number of about 70,000 foot and half that number of horse and dismissed the rest.

He divided them into companies and cohorts as nearly as possible according to the Italian system, and turned them over to Pontic officers to be trained.”

“So great a number of officers had seldom fallen in any single Roman defeat,” continues Appian in section 88.

Xenophon, Anabasis 4.5

(Confirmed written evidence of beer production in ancient Armenia)

There were stores within of wheat and barley and vegetables, and wine made from barley in great big bowls; the grains of barley malt lay floating in the beverage up to the lip of the vessel, and reeds lay in them, some longer, some shorter, without joints; when you were thirsty you must take one of these into your mouth, and suck.

The beverage without admixture of water was very strong, and of a delicious flavour to certain palates, but the taste must be acquired.

by peopleOfAr.com