Battle of Avarayr: Armenian Christians Fight the Persian Empire
The Armenians lost every tactical objective at Avarayr—outnumbered, outflanked, their commander Vardan Mamikonian dead on the field. But here's what's strange: the Persians never tried converting them again. The rebellion's leader became a martyr, sure, but the real victory came thirty years later when the Sassanids quietly signed away their forced Zoroastrianism policy. Sometimes you win by making the other side realize conquest isn't worth the cost. The Armenians kept their faith. The empire kept its province. Both sides claimed victory, and neither was entirely wrong.
May 26, 451
1575 years ago
Key Figures & Places
Christianity
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Sassanid Empire
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Armenians
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Battle of Avarayr
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Christianity
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Armenians
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Sasanian Empire
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Battle of Avarayr
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Military of the Sasanian Empire
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Imperio persa
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Geschichte Armeniens
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Yazdegerd II.
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