Armenian mythology

Armenian mythology
A bronze head of Aphrodite from Satala sometimes identified as Anahit

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Armenian mythology originated in ancient

After the establishment of Iranian dominance in Armenia in the 1st millennium BCE, Zoroastrianism had a major influence on Armenian religion. Until the late Parthian period, the Armenian lands adhered to a syncretic form of Mazdaism, which mixed Iranian religious concepts with traditional Armenian beliefs.[5] For example, the supreme god of the Armenian pantheon, Vanatur, was later replaced by Aramazd (the Parthian form of Ahura Mazda).^[5] However, the Armenian version of Aramazd preserved many native Armenian aspects. Similarly, the traditional Armenian goddess of fertility, Nar, was replaced by Anahit, which may derived from Persian Anahita, although the Armenian goddess was entirely distinct from her Iranian counterpart.

In the Hellenistic age (3rd to 1st centuries BCE), ancient Armenian deities were identified with ancient Greek deities: Aramazd with Zeus, Anahit with Artemis, Vahagn with Heracles, Astłik with Aphrodite, Nane with Athena, Mihr with Hephaestus, Tir with Apollo.

After the formal adoption of Christianity in the 4th century CE, after facing much persecution, led the ancient myths and beliefs to adhere more closely to Christian beliefs.^[6] Biblical characters took over the functions of the archaic gods and spirits. For example, John the Baptist inherited certain features of Vahagn and Tir, and the archangel Gabriel took on elements of Vahagn.

Basic information about Armenian pagan traditions were preserved in the works of ancient Greek authors such as Plato, Herodotus, Xenophon and Strabo, Byzantine scholar Procopius of Caesarea, as well as medieval Armenian writers such as Movses Khorenatsi, Agathangelos, Eznik of Kolb, Sebeos, and Anania Shirakatsi, as well as in oral folk traditions.

Pantheon

The pantheon of pre-Christian Armenia changed over the centuries. Originally native Armenian in nature, the pantheon was modified through,

• Areg (Arev) or Ar, god of the Sun, comparable with Mesopotamian
  Armeno-Aryan poetical expression.^[11]
• Astłik,^[12] cognate to the Mesopotamian goddess Inanna, identified with Venus. A fertility goddess and consort of Vahagn, sharing a temple with him in the city of Ashtishat.^[1] The holiday of Vardavar was originally in honor of Astɫik. The name "Astɫik" derives from astɫ "star" from Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr plus the Armenian diminutive suffix -ik.^[13]
• Ayg, goddess of the dawn.^[14][15]
• Angeł - "the Invisible" (literally: "unseen"), god of the underworld.^[16] The main temple of Angeł was located at Angeł-tun (House of Angeł), which possibly corresponded to the Ingalova of Hittite and Ingelene/Ingilena of Greek and Latin records, likely located near modern Eğil.^[17] Comparable with Nergal and Hades.
• Tork Angegh - "Given by Angeł". A great-grandson of Hayk.^[18] A monstrous and ugly hero. Threw massive boulders to sink enemy ships in the Black Sea.^[19] Sometimes equated with Thor and Polyphemus and possibly Tarḫunna.
• Amanor - "The bearer of new fruits" (the god of the new year, Navasard). May or may not have been the same god as Vanatur.^[20]
• Vanatur - Either meaning "the Lord of Van" or "giving asylum", Vanatur was the god of hospitality. He may or may not have been the same god as Amanor.^[20] Later equated with Aramazd and Zeus.
• Nvard (Classical Armenian: Nuard) - Consort of Ara. Comparable with Nane and Inanna (Ishtar). Likely developed into Anahit.^[21]
• Tsovinar - "Nar of the Sea", goddess of waters and the ocean. Perhaps also a lightning goddess. Became the consort of Vahagn.^[22] Possibly connected to Inara.
• Andndayin ōj, "the Abyssal Serpent" that lived in the black waters surrounding the world tree.^[23]

Hayasan

While the exact relationship between the Bronze Age kingdom of Hayasa-Azzi and Armenians is uncertain, many scholars believe that there is a connection (compare Hayasa with the Armenian endonyms Hayastan and Hay). Not much is known about the Hayasan pantheon but some names survive via Hittite records. The triad may have comprised Ugur, Inanna, and Tarumu.^[24]

• Elkunirša in Hittite).^[25]
• Asertu.^[24]
• Terittitunnis - Possibly an early form of Vahagn. Perhaps related to Greek Triton.^[26]
• Tarumu - The sixth god of the Hayasan pantheon. Perhaps connected to Tarhu.^[26]
• Baltaik - Possibly a goddess connected to
  West Semitic Ba‘alat (Astarte), with a probable Armenian diminutive suffix -ik (such as is present in the name of the goddess "Astɫik").^[26] Alternately, it could etymologically derive from Proto Indo-European *bʰel- (meaning 'bright'), via the *bʰel-to form.^[27]
• Izzistanus(?) - A proposed reconstruction of a damaged name "s/t-an-nu-us". Perhaps a version of
  Estan (Ezzi Estan: 'good Estan').^[26]
• Unag-astuas or Unagastas - A deity mentioned in the treaty with the Hittites, but with unknown qualities. Likely connected, etymologically, to Astvats (Classical Armenian: Astuas), a name which continues to be used today for God in Armenian Christianity. May have been a form of the Subarian god Astuvanu (Astupinu), who is equated with Sumerian Nergal.^[28]

Urartian

The gods of the Urartian pantheon were mostly borrowed from

Indo-Iranian

religions.

• Ishpuini.^[29] Formed a triad with his sons Artinis and Teisheba.^[1] Equated with Baal
  and Mitra/Mihr. Sometimes also connected to Hayk.
• Arubani - Wife of Ḫaldi. Goddess of fertility and art. Possibly an early form of Anahit.^[30]
• Bagvarti or Bagmashtu (Bagbartu) - Wife of Ḫaldi. Possibly a regional variant (of Armenian or Indo-Iranian origins) of Arubani, or perhaps a different goddess entirely.
• Teispas or Teisheba - Storm god, a son of Ḫaldi, with whom he formed the lead triad of the gods. A variation of Hurrian Teshub.^[1]
• Shivini or Artinis - Sun god, a son of Ḫaldi, with whom he formed the lead triad of the gods.^[1] From the Proto-Indo-European and Hittite god Siu (compare with Zeus, Deus, etc.). Artinis is the Armenian form, literally meaning "sun god" and is possibly connected to Ara.
• Selardi (or Melardi) - Moon god or goddess. Possibly the sister of Artinis (from Armenian siela 'sister'; ardi 'sun god').^[1][31]
• Saris - Probably a corruption of
  Ishtar.^[1]
• Huba - Wife of Theispas. Version of
  Hebat
  .
• Keura - Possibly god of the land.
• Šebitu - Little is known about this god but Rusa III claimed to be his servant.

Iranian influence

Zoroastrian influences penetrated Armenian culture during the Achaemenid Empire, though conversion was incomplete and syncretistic, and the Persians and Armenians never appeared to identify with each other as co-religionists^[1] despite both referring to themselves as "Mazda worshipers."^[2]

• Baal Shamin were absorbed by Aramazd.^[2]
• Anadatus - The Armenian form of the Zoroastrian Amesha Spenta Ameretat.^[1]
• Ashtishat. Ani
  is likely a derivation or alternate form of Anahit.
• Mithraic mysteries.^[1] Mihr was identified with Hephaestus by Movses Khorenatsi and later authors.^[2] His center of worship was located in Bagaharich,^[1]
  and the temple of Garni was dedicated to him.
• Omanos - The Armenian form of the Zoroastrian Vohu Manah.^[1]
• Spandaramet - Cognate of the Iranian Spenta Armaiti,^[1][33] a daughter of Aramazd, and cthonic goddess of fertility, vineyards^[1] and the underworld.^[33] Spandaramet was chosen by translators of some Armenian Bibles to convey the meaning of Διόνυσος) in 2 Maccabees 6:7. Sometimes called Sandaramet^[1] or Santamaret^[33] denoting a connection to the underworld unique to Armenian theology, even in Christian writings.^[1] Her kingdom is said to be inhabited by evil spirits called Santarametakans.^[34]
• Artashat
  .
• Derik
  housed the central temple to Vahagn.

Post-Alexandrian influences

• Baal Shamin.^[1]
• Nane - Cognate of the Elamitic Nanē, (via the Babylonian Nanâ),^[1][39] also assimilating aspects of the Phrygian Cybele.^[40] Daughter of Aramazd, sister of Anahit and Mihr. A goddess of motherhood, war, and wisdom. Identified with Athena.^[39] Her cult was related to Anahit, both of their temples located near each other in Gavar.

Monsters and spirits

• Al - The Al is a dwarfish evil spirit that attacks pregnant women and steals newborn babies. Described as half-animal and half-man, its teeth are of iron and nails of brass or copper. It usually wears a pointed hat covered in bells, and can become invisible.^[41][42]
• Gampr
  ) with powers to resuscitate fallen warriors and resurrect the dead by licking wounds clean.
• Azhdahak
• Zoroastrian mythology (the Daevas), and share many similarities to angels and demons. They reside in stony places and ruins, and usually keep to themselves.^[42]
• Shahapet - The Shahapet (Շահապետ), also called Khshathrapti, Shavod, Shoithrapaiti, Shvaz and Shvod, were usually friendly guardian spirits of Armenian,
  Slavic and Persian mythology, who typically appeared in the form of serpents. They inhabited houses, orchards, fields, forests and graveyards, among other places. The Shvaz type was more agriculturally oriented, while the Shvod was a guardian of the home. A Shvod who is well-treated may reward the home's inhabitants with gold, but if mistreated might cause strife and leave.^[42]
• Nhang - The Nhang was a river-dwelling serpent-monster with shape shifting powers, often connected to the more conventional Armenian dragons. The creature could change into a seal or lure a man by transforming into a woman, then drag in and drown the victim to drink its blood. The word "Nhang" is sometimes used as a generic term for a sea-monster in ancient Armenian literature.[42]
• Piatek - The Piatek is a large mammalian creature similar to a wingless griffin.
• Vishap - A dragon closely associated with water, similar to the Leviathan. It is usually depicted as a winged snake or with a combination of elements from different animals. Prior to Iranian domination in Armenia, the dragons may have been called "geł".^[43] May have been connected to Hurrian Ullikummi and Hittite Illuyanka.^[43]

Heroes and legendary monarchs

These figures are mainly known through post-Christian sources, but have belonged to the pre-Christian mythology.^[40] Many seem to be derived from Proto-Indo-European mythologies and religious traditions. It is suspected that Hayk, Ara, and Aram were originally deities, possibly from the oldest Armenian pantheon.^[44]

• Ara the Handsome, son of Aram. A handsome warrior slain in a war against Semiramis, in some versions brought back to life by her prayers. Possibly, originally a personified version of the sun god Ar (Arev), likely mentioned on the Urartian-era Door of Meher.^[8]
• Aram, slayer of the giant Barsamin, possibly originally a war god known as Aremenius.^[45] Father of Ara. The name Aram is likely an Armenian that directly developed from Proto-Indo-European *rēmo-, meaning "black".^[46] The name is related to Hindu Rama.^[a]
• Hayk, legendary forefather of the Armenians, who led a successful rebellion against a Babylonian king named Bel.^[40][48] When Bel and his armies pursued Hayk and his people, Hayk fired an arrow across the battle field, killing Bel and scaring off his forces.^[48] Said to have been a giant. Possibly, a thunder/storm god originally.^[49] Equated with Ḫaldi, Mitra, and Orion. The name Hayk may derive from Proto-Indo-European *poti- (lord, master, patriarch).^[50]
• Karapet, a pre-Christian Armenian mythological character identified with John the Baptist after the adoption of Christianity by the Armenians. Karapet is usually represented as a glittering long-haired thunder-god with a purple crown and a cross.
• Nimrod, great-grandson of Noah and the king of Shinar, Nimrod is depicted in the Bible as both a man of power in the earth and a mighty hunter.
• Sanasar and Baghdasar, two brothers founded the town of Sason, ushering in the eponymous state. Sanasar was considered the ancestor of several generations of heroes of Sassoon. It is said that their mother was subject to a miraculous pregnancy, by drinking water from a certain fountain.^[51]
• Sargis, a hero, associated with pre-Christian myths, later identified with Christian saints who bore the same name. He is represented as a tall, slender, handsome knight mounted upon a white horse. Sarkis is able to raise the wind, storms and blizzards, and turn them against enemies.
• Shamiram, the legendary queen of the Neo-Assyrian Empire who waged war to get Ara.
• Yervaz and Yervant (Classical Armenian: Eruaz and Eruand), mythical twins born from a woman of the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia, distinguished by enormous features and over-sensitivity.

Bibliography

• Petrosyan, Armen (2002). The Indo‑european and Ancient Near Eastern Sources of the Armenian Epic. Washington, D.C. : Institute for the Study of Man.
  ISBN 9780941694810
  .
• Petrosyan, Armen (2007). "State Pantheon of Greater Armenia: Earliest Sources". Aramazd: Armenian Journal of Near Eastern Studies. 2: 174–201.
  ISSN 1829-1376
  .
• Ahyan, Stepan (1982). "Les débuts de l'histoire d'Arménie et les trois fonctions indo-européennes". Revue de l'histoire des religions. 199 (3): 251–271.
  doi:10.3406/rhr.1982.4670
  .
• Gelzer, Heinrich (1896). "Zur armenischen Götterlehre". Berichte über die Verhandlungen der Königlich Sächsischen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig: 99–148.
  OCLC 665221528
  .

See also

• Proto-Indo-European mythology
• Hittite mythology and religion
• Zoroastrianism in Armenia
• Hinduism in Armenia
• Persian mythology
• The Golden-Headed Fish
• The Story of Zoulvisia

Footnotes

1. ^ Armen Petrosyan argues that both Armenian Aram and Indic Rama derive from a "common" Indo-European myth about a hero whose name means black (PIE *h₂reh₁mo-) defeating a foe named "bright, white, silver" (PIE *h₂erg-).^[47]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x} "Armenia (Vannic)" by A.H. Sayce, p.793-4; "Armenia (Zoroastrian)", by M(ardiros). H. Ananikian, p.794-802; in Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics, ed. James Hastings, vol. 1, 1908
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Russell, James R. (15 December 1986). "ARMENIA AND IRAN iii. Armenian Religion". Encyclopædia Iranica. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
3. ISBN 9789994101016
   .
4. ^ Boettiger, Louis Angelo (1918). Armenian Legends and Festivals. University of Minnesota.
5. ^
   ISBN 0415239028
   p 84
6. ^ Ananikian, Mardiros Harootioon (1925). Armenian [mythology]. Archaeological Institute of America : Marshall Jones Company.
7. ^ Martirosyan, Hrach Origins and historical development of the Armenian language (2014). pp. 13.
8. ^ ^{a b} The Cambridge Ancient History: III Part 1: The Prehistory of the Balkans, the Middle East and the Aegean World, Tenth to Eighth Centuries BC. Cambridge University Press. 1971. p. 335.
9. JSTOR 40848835
   .. Accessed 8 Dec. 2022.
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11. doi:10.1163/9789047426837
12. ^ Petrosyan, Armen The Indo-European and Ancient Near Eastern Sources of the Armenian Epic (2002). pp. 68.
13. ^ Martirosyan, Hrach. Origins and historical development of the Armenian language (2014).
14. ^ Martirosyan, Hrach. Etymological Dictionary of the Armenian Inherited Lexicon. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill, 23 Nov. 2009. pp. 54-56. doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789047426837
15. ^ Martirosyan, Hrach, An Armenian theonym of Indo-European origin: Ayg ‘Dawn Goddess’. In: Aramadz: Armenian Journal of Near Eastern Studies (2014). pp. 219-224.
16. ^ Petrosyan, Armen, Indo-European *wel- in Armenian mythology. In: Journal of Indo-European Studies (2016). pp. 132.
17. ISBN 978-90-04-35072-4
    .
18. ^ Petrosyan, Armen, Indo-European *wel- in Armenian mythology. In: Journal of Indo-European Studies (2016). pp. 132.
19. ^ Petrosyan, Armen. The Indo-European and Ancient Near Eastern Sources of the Armenian Epic (2002) pp. 29.
20. ^
    ISBN 978-0-87395-323-8
    .
21. ^ Kavoukjian, Martiros Armenia, Subartu and Sumer [1] Montreal. (1987) pp. 71-72
22. ^ ^{a b} "Vahagn" in Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition, by Anthony Mercanante and James Dow, Infobase, 2009. p.991
23. ^ Martirosyan, Hrach (2018). "Armenian Andndayin ōj and Vedic Áhi- Budhnyà- "Abyssal Serpent"". Farnah: Indo-Iranian and Indo-European Studies: 191–197.
24. ^ ^{a b} Petrosyan, Armen The Indo-European and Ancient Near Eastern Sources of the Armenian Epic [2] (2002) pp. 130.
25. ^ Petrosyan, Armen The Indo-European and Ancient Near Eastern Sources of the Armenian Epic [3] (2002) pp. 128-131.
26. ^ ^{a b c d} Petrosyan, Armen The Indo-European and Ancient Near Eastern Sources of the Armenian Epic [4] (2002) pp. 106.
27. ^ Matiossian, Vartan (2009). "Azzi-Hayasa on the Black Sea? Another Puzzle of Armenian Origins". In: Hovannisian, Richard G (ed.). Armenian Pontus: the Trebizond-Black Sea communities. UCLA Armenian History and Culture Series. p. 77.
28. ^ Kavoukjian, Martiros Armenia, Subartu and Sumer [5] Montreal. (1987) pp. 136
29. ^ Zimansky, Paul (2012). "Imagining Haldi". Stories of Long Ago: Festschrift für Michael Roaf: 714.
30. ISBN 9780214667930
31. ^ Yervand Grekyan. "Urartian State Mythology". Yerevan Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography Press. 2018. p. 34. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351107801_Biaynili-Owrartu_Astvacner_tacarner_pastamunk_BIAINILI-URARTU_GODS_TEMPLES_CULTS
32. ^ "Mihr" in Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition, by Anthony Mercanante and James Dow, Infobase, 2009. p.671
33. ^ ^{a b c} "Santamaret" in Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition, by Anthony Mercanante and James Dow, Infobase, 2009. p.861
34. ^ Coulter, Charles Russell. Turner, Patricia. "Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities" McFarland & Co., Routledge, 2012; pg. 438.
35. ISBN 9789994101016.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link
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36. ^ "Tiur (Tur)" in Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition, by Anthony Mercanante and James Dow, Infobase, 2009. p.959
37. ^ Petrosyan, Armen The Indo-European and Ancient Near Eastern Sources of the Armenian Epic [6] (2002) pp. 36.
38. ^ Petrosyan, Armen The Indo-European and Ancient Near Eastern Sources of the Armenian Epic [7] (2002) pp. 41.
39. ^ ^{a b} "Nane (Hanea)" in Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition, by Anthony Mercanante and James Dow, Infobase, 2009. p.703
40. ^ ^{a b c} "Armenian Mythology" in The Oxford Companion to World Mythology, by David Leeming, Oxford University Press, 17 Nov 2005, p.29
41. ^ A History of Armenia by Vahan M. Kurkjian
42. ^ ^{a b c d} "Chapter 11. Armenian Mythology". Archived from the original on 2008-11-19.
43. ^ ^{a b} Petrosyan, Armen, Indo-European *wel- in Armenian mythology Journal of Indo-European Studies.[8] (2016). pp. 134-135.
44. ^ Petrosyan, Armen The Indo-European and Ancient Near Eastern Sources of the Armenian Epic [9] (2002) pp. 57.
45. ^ "Aram" in Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition, by Anthony Mercanante and James Dow, Infobase, 2009. p.96
46. ^ Petrosyan, Armen The Indo-European and Ancient Near Eastern Sources of the Armenian Epic [10] (2002) pp. 73.
47. ^ Petrosyan, Armen. "Armeno-Indian Epic Parallels". In: Journal of Indo-European Studies (JIES). Volume 45, Number 1 & 2, Spring/Summer 2017. pp. 174, 178-180 and footnote nr. 4.
48. ^ ^{a b} "Hayk" in Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition, by Anthony Mercanante and James Dow, Infobase, 2009. p.452
49. ^ Petrosyan, Armen Problems of Armenian Prehistory. Myth, Language, History [11] (2009) pp. 7, 12
50. ^ Petrosyan, Armen The Indo-European and Ancient Near Eastern Sources of the Armenian Epic [12] (2002) pp. 58.
51. ^ Hoogasian-Villa, Susie. 100 Armenian Tales and Their Folkloristic Relevance. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 1966. p. 506.