Located on the eastern frontier between the Byzantine and Persian (and later Islamic) empires, Armenia was a recurrent object of geopolitical competition, demanded by Shapur II from Constantius in the fourth century, seized by Persia in the seventh, and repeatedly contested by the Saracens thereafter. It served as a strategic base for Heraclius during the 626 siege of Constantinople and was among the territories targeted as Arab forces pushed into Byzantine lands. Over subsequent centuries it was the subject of military campaigns, reconquests, and diplomacy, culminating when Basil II's reputation persuaded an Armenian king to bequeath his kingdom to the empire without battle.
Mentioned in
What each episode says
Episode 5 (1 mention)
One of the two territories demanded by Shapur II in his ultimatum to Constantius, along with Mesopotamia.
“Because I take delight in moderation, I shall be content to receive Mesopotamia and Armenia”
Episode 6 (1 mention)
“a wild region in the Taurus Mountains of present-day Armenia.”
Episode 10 (2 mentions)
Taken by Persia early in the crisis, and later used as Heraclius' base of operations during the siege of Constantinople in 626, when he held Armenia with the smallest of his three army divisions while invading a defenseless Persia.
“unopposed, swept further into Byzantine territory, taking all of Mesopotamia and Armenia.”
“Armenia in the Caucasus Mountains, and invade a virtually defenseless Persia.”
Episode 11 (1 mention)
One of the regions targeted by the Saracens after their initial victories, along with Cappadocia, as they continued to push into Byzantine territory.
“They then turned to Armenia and Cappadocia, capturing the major city of Caesarea and”
Episode 12 (2 mentions)
The homeland from which Basil's family had been relocated to the Byzantine province of Macedonia, and one of the territories where Bardas led campaigns against the Saracens.
“he led two expeditions into Asia Minor and Armenia,”
“Basil's family had been relocated, probably from Armenia,”
Episode 13 (2 mentions)
Mentioned three times: as territory reconquered by the first usurping general during Romanus II's reign; as a region pacified by John Tzimiskes during his eastern campaigns; and at the close when Basil II's immense reputation convinced an Armenian king to bequeath his kingdom to the empire without a battle.
“of Armenia and parts of Syria, lands that had fallen 300 years before during the first”
“He pacified Armenia and swept into Mesopotamia, virtually unopposed.”
Episode 14 (1 mention)
“Its borders stretched from Italy in the west to Armenia in the east, from the sun-baked”
Related