Byzantine Armenia facts for kids

Byzantine Armenia, sometimes called Western Armenia, was a part of the ancient Kingdom of Armenia. It became a territory controlled by the Byzantine Empire, which was the eastern part of the Roman Empire. The size of this area changed many times throughout history.

How Was Armenia Divided?

Armenia was a very important country located between two powerful empires: the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanid Empire. These two empires often fought over control of Armenia.

The First Big Split

In the year 387 AD, the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanid Empire decided to divide Armenia between them. This meant that a part of Armenia, known as Western Armenia, came under Byzantine rule. The other part, called Eastern Armenia, became part of the Sassanid Empire. Eastern Armenia was also sometimes called Persianized Armenia because it was influenced by the Persian Sassanids.

Later Divisions and Control

Even after the Bagratid Armenian Kingdom was formed much later, some parts of historic Armenia and areas where many Armenians lived were still controlled by the Byzantine Empire. This shows how important Armenia was to both empires for a long time.

Why Was Byzantine Armenia Important?

Byzantine Armenia was important for several reasons. It served as a buffer zone between the Byzantine and Sassanid empires. This means it was a kind of protective area that helped keep the two big empires from directly clashing too often.

Cultural and Religious Ties

The people of Byzantine Armenia shared many cultural and religious ties with the rest of Armenia. However, over time, they also developed strong connections with the Byzantine Empire. Many Armenians served in the Byzantine army and held important positions in the empire.

Changing Borders Over Time

The borders of Byzantine Armenia were not always the same. They changed many times because of wars and treaties between the Byzantine and Sassanid empires, and later with other powers. This meant that sometimes the Byzantine Empire controlled more of Armenia, and sometimes less.

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