Armenians have been present in the territories of present-day Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine since ancient times, even before the Great Flood, on their way to Phoenicia and Egypt. Their influence in these regions has been significant, contributing to the formation of local peoples and cultures.
Early Contributions
Armenians played a crucial role in teaching the inhabitants of these regions various skills, including the art of building houses and cities, as well as the worship of the God Ar. For instance, in Palestine, Armenians are credited with founding the city of Jerusalem before the 3rd millennium BC. The inhabitants of ancient Palestine worshiped Armenian gods, particularly God Vahal (Vahagn) and Goddess Astarte (Astghik).
Armenian Presence in Lebanon
The number of Armenians in Lebanon increased significantly after the Armenian Genocide in Turkey (including Cilicia) in 1915. Many Armenians who survived the genocide in Ottoman Turkey moved to neighboring Lebanon. Today, there are numerous Armenian villages along the coast, and the Armenian community remains vibrant and influential.
Armenians and Jews
In 586 BC, Jerusalem was occupied by Babylon, and some Jews were forcibly resettled to Babylon (Babylonian captivity, 586-549 BC). The Jewish Seer Jeremiah called on his nation to seek help from the Armenians: “Raise flags, blaring trumpets among the nations, armed against her (Babylon), call upon her the ‘Ararat people’, the ‘Minnies’ and the ‘Askananazim’.”
King Tigran Yervanduni of Great Armenia (560-55 BC), together with the Iranian ruler Cyrus, broke into Babylon, destroyed the Babylonian kingdom in 539 BC, and liberated the Jews. Later, Armenian King Tigran II the Great (95-55 BC) built his second capital city, Tigranakert (south of Lake Van), and invited about ten thousand Jews (and Greeks) – artisans to Tigranakert. Their descendants still live in Armenia.
Modern Armenian Communities
In the 1960s CE, there were 15-17 thousand Armenians living in Jerusalem. However, today, the number has decreased to about a thousand. Despite this, the Armenian presence in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria remains significant, with many Armenians and other Christian peoples maintaining close ties.
In conclusion, the ancient presence of Armenians in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine has left a lasting impact on the region’s cultural and historical landscape. Their contributions to the development of local societies and their enduring legacy continue to be recognized and celebrated.
Artatsolum
Based on an excerpt from Paris Herouni’s book “Armenians and Ancient Armenia”
