Armenian Mythology

Contents

Armenian mythology draws its sources from that of the kingdom of Urtatu which extended widely around Lake Van (present-day Turkey), Lake Sevan (present-day Armenia) and Lake Urmia (present-day Iran).

Few mythographers have taken an interest in the mythology of the Armenian people. However, Professor Minas TCHERAZ, (1852 - 1929) resuming some studies by Jean-Baptiste FIMIN (Armenian paganism research) set out to reconstruct the beliefs of this people by interviewing Armenians from Turkey and Russia. In 1892 he published " Notes on Armenian Mythology"

So we find at the head of this pantheon Haldi Where Khaldi who is the husband ofUrabani, the goddess of fertility. He forms a triad with his sons:
Ardinis Where Shivini the sun god whose wife or daughter is Selardi, the moon goddess; and Teisheba Where Teispas the god of storms.

This mythology was influenced by Zoroastrianism which came from Persia during the Achaemenid Empire. Thus at the head of the pantheon we find Aramazd father of all divinities and assimilated to Ahura Mazda

Then after the conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great, Armenia came under Greek influence.

Armenia was the first kingdom to officially become Christian in 301 under the reign of Tiridates IV who was converted by Saint Gregory the Illuminator. Ancient myths and legends were transformed and biblical figures inherited the functions of ancient deities. For example, Saint John the Baptist took certain characteristics of Vahagn and Tire and the Archangel Gabriel those of Vahagn.

Armenian mythology (texts)

Urartu-Ararat

Bronze and Iron Age Pantheon

Glossary of Armenian Mythology

Mythes et légendes arméniens (Guerres Anciennes))

La Nature

Dieux, monstres et héros

La Geste des Rois

Les Guerres Perses

La Guerre de Taron

The epic of Sassoun

Mythes et Légendes Arméniennes (épopée de Sassoun Livre I)

Mythes et Légendes Arméniennes (épopée de Sassoun Livre II)

Mythes et Légendes Arméniennes (épopée de Sassoun Livre III Partie 1)

Mythes et Légendes Arméniennes (épopée de Sassoun Livre III Partie 2)

Mythes et Légendes Arméniennes (épopée de Sassoun Livre IV)

The Armenian epic "Les enrrages de Sassoun" tells the story of David de Sassoun, a reckless and independent young man who, by the grace of God, defends his country against evil in an unequal duel. The epic is part of the tradition of heroic folk tales that relate the history of a nation and portray its deepest aspirations and feelings. The epic is recited in a lyrical tone, with rhythmic articulation, with a separate body of songs in a rhymed poetic style.

It is told every year on the first Saturday in October (Day of the epic poem in some villages), during weddings, birthdays, baptisms and major national cultural events. The epic storyteller, dressed in the national costume, is usually seated and is accompanied by the duduk, a wooden wind instrument. There are no restrictions on gender, age or profession in the art of storytelling. Its transmission within the family is considered a vocation, especially in rural communities which have close links with popular culture. There are 160 variations. The storytelling sessions can last today up to two hours where the epic is told in several episodes.

It is commonly cited as one of the most important works of Armenian folklore, encyclopedia and repository of all knowledge relating to the heritage of the Armenian people, their religion, mythology, philosophy, cosmology, customs and ethics. .

The Tales of Thought

They were collected at the beginning of the 20^th century by Sahag MOVSISSIAN, said ” Think " in the Mush region of Turkey, where a large Armenian community lived.

Thought (1867-1939), philologist, pedagogue, was especially interested in the dialect of this region, which he faithfully transcribed, going from village to village. Each village had its storyteller, around whom the peasants gathered on winter evenings, and on the occasion of all festivals and weddings.

About a hundred of these tales were lost during the genocide of 1915.