The Creation of the Armenian Alphabet and the Golden Age of Literature
The invention of the Armenian alphabet in the early 5th century stands as one of the most transformative events in the history of Armenian civilization. This intellectual revolution not only enabled the preservation of Armenian identity and culture but also ushered in what scholars widely regard as the Golden Age of Armenian Literature . Anchored in a national commitment to faith, education, and cultural self-determination, this era marked Armenia’s emergence as a literate Christian society deeply rooted in its language and historical consciousness. The Historical Context: A Nation at the Crossroads By the early 5th century, Armenia was caught between the Christian Byzantine Empire and the Zoroastrian Sasanian Empire. Despite converting to Christianity in 301 AD, Armenia lacked a standardized written script. Religious texts were primarily in Greek or Syriac, limiting access to Christian doctrine and alienating the Armenian faithful from their native language and cul...