Armenian-persian conflict (449-451): its religious background and reflection in early armenian historiography

Armenian-Persian Conflict (449-451): Its Religious Background and Reflection in Early Armenian Historiography Anna Sochová In 449-451 a conflict took place between Armenia (being at that time under Persian domination with the status of Persian province) and Sasanian Persia. The conflict was caused by efforts of Sasanian king Yazdgard II to convert Armenian population to Zoroastrianism. In order to unify his empire under the auspices of the Persian state religion, Yazdgard II appealed to Armenian magnates to renounce Christianity. Armenian magnates, however, decided to refuse the appeal on the council held in Artashat in 449. Yazdgard II, therefore, summoned the Armenian magnates to his court in Ktesifont to account for their disobedience to him. Magnates were constrained under Yazdgard's threat to outwardly renounce their faith and accept Zoroastrianism. The king sent them back to their homeland with the Magians to spread Zoroastrianism through Armenia. After returning home, however, the Armenian nobility distanced itself from Zoroastrianism and hoping for support from the Byzantine Emperor took a decision to revolt against Persians. The Armenian- Persian conflict culminated in Battle of Avarayr in 451 where Armenians were defeated. In the overall result, however, Armenians reached their goal..