Following Persian and Macedonian rule, the Artaxid dynasty from 190 BC gave rise to the Kingdom of Armenia which rose to the peak of its influence under Tigranes II before falling under Roman rule. The Armenians later fell under Byzantine, Persian and Islamic rule, but later managed to reinstate their independence with the Bagratuni Dynasty kingdom of Armenia. The kingdom fell under the Seljuk conquest in 1064, however the Armenians established a kingdom in Cilicia, existing as an independent entity until 1375. During the First Crusade, the Armenians developed close ties to the Europeans. Due to its strategic significance, Armenia was constantly fought over between the Persians and the Ottomans. In the aftermath of the Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828, the parts of Armenia under Persian control were incorporated into Russia. Russia sought further expansion into Armenia with the goal of reaching the Mediterranean leading to the Russo-Turkish War, 1828-1829. Armenia became divided between Western Armenia which was under Ottoman control and Eastern Armenia which was under Russian control. During the late nineteenth century, the development occurred of an Armenian liberation movement which sought freedom from Russian and Ottoman domination and the re-establishment of an independent Armenian state. In 1915, the Ottoman Empire systematically carried out the Armenian Genocide amidst fears that the Armenians were liable to ally with Russia, it is estimated that over one million people perished in camps. After the defeat of Turkey in World War One, Armenia established itself as an independent republic, however it was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1920. In 1922, the Soviets joined Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan and formed the Transcaucasian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became part of the USSR. In 1936, after reorganisation, Armenia became a separate constituent republic of the USSR. Armenia declared its independence from the collapsing Soviet Union in 1991.

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source Russell Shortt, http://www.exploringireland.net http://www.visitscotlandtours.com