History of the Jews in Armenia
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (300-500 (est.)) | |
| Languages | |
| Armenian, Hebrew | |
| Religion | |
| Judaism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Jews, Armenian people |
The history of the Jewish community in Armenia (Armenian: Հայաստանի հրեական համայնքը, Hayastani hreakan hamaynqa) dates back more than 2,000 years.
There are historical records that attest the presence of Jews in pagan Armenia, before the spread of Christianity in the region by St. Gregory the Illuminator. Early medieval Armenian historians, such as Moses Khorenatsi, held that during the conquest of Armenian King Tigranes the Great (95–55 BCE), brought with him 10,000 Jewish captives to the ancient Kingdom of Armenia (which encompassed what is commonly known as Greater Armenia) when he retreated from Judea, because of the Roman attack on Armenia (69 B.C.E.). Tigranes II invaded Syria, and probably northern Israel as well. A large Jewish population was settled in Armenia from the 1st century BCE. One city in particular, Vartkesavan became an important commercial center. Thus, Armenia's Jewish community was established. Like the rest of Armenia's population, they suffered the consequences of regional powers trying to divide and conquer the country. By 360-370 C.E., there was a massive increase in Jewish Hellenistic immigration into Armenia; many Armenian towns became predominately Jewish. During this period (4th century AD), after the conquest of Armenia by the Sassanid King Shapur II he deported thousands of Jewish families from Persian Armenia and resettled them at Isfahan (modern Iran).
Jewish families were deported to Armenia and settled in Artashat, Vaghasabat, Yervandashat, Sarehavan, Sarisat, Van, and Nakhichevan. Tournebize holds that the Assyrians deported Jews to Armenia, and not to the Khabur Valley.Aslan mentions that the Jews of Samaria were deported to Armenia.
...
Wikipedia