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