The Armenians

This is a 3000 year history of one of Europe's most fascinating and important peoples. Situated on the south-east coast of the Black Sea, Armenia has been a pivotal point between the forces of the east and of the west over most of its long history. That history has thus been very largely one of conquest by rival empires. In the classical period Armenia was conquered successively by the Persians, Seleucids and the Greeks (under Alexander). The flourishing of an independent and powerful Armenian society in the last three centuries before Christ was dissipated by successive invasions of Romans, Parthians and Persians.

The conversion of Armenia to Christianity in AD 301 was the prelude to conquests first by Byzantium and then by the Arabs. The dissipation of Armenian culture continued through many centuries of subjugation under the Ottoman Empire and more recently as part of the Soviet Empire.

Perhaps not surprisingly emigration from their troubled homeland has been a popular option among Armenians for at least the last 1,500 years. Armenian culture, as the author shows, has survived in enclaves throughout Europe, the Middle East and the United States. The book closes with a consideration of Armenia's first experience of independence after a gap of 1000 years. Redgate's vivid, analytical narrative is illustrated with numerous photographs and maps.