The Great Silk Road

The civilizational contribution of Armenia to the Great Silk Road was defined by its role in the export of materials and products, importation of goods, and the facilitation of trade. Armenia was an important part of international money circulation and the protection of trade routes.

Great Armenia, which included Sofena, Little Armenia, and from the 1st century BC, part of Cilicia, was strategically located at the crossroads of trade passages between the West and the East. This geographic advantage helped Armenia develop strong political, cultural, and economic ties with the countries of the ancient world.

Armenia’s economy was well-developed, and its kings entered into political alliances with neighboring states, promoting trade and cultural exchange with Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Archaeological evidence and manuscripts show that Armenia, located in the Armenian Highlands, had a highly developed civilization. Great Armenia was on par with other advanced ancient civilizations. In places like Artashat, Tigranakert, and Antioch, archaeologists have found chariots, daggers, spears, bracelets, ceramics, jewelry, and coins, including those of Tigran the Great. These findings reflect the wealth and advancement of the region.

In Armenia, large and small cities thrived, complete with water systems, paved streets, and palaces for kings and nobility. The land was fully cultivated, and new forests were planted, with wildlife like fallow deer, chamois, and wild boar inhabiting the region.

Trade routes connected Armenia via ports on the Black and Mediterranean Seas, linking it to Persia, India, China, and other countries. In the 11th century, Armenians reclaimed Cilicia from the Greeks.

The historian Xenophon wrote about Armenia’s abundant resources, including wheat, barley, raisins, legumes, wine, sesame, pistachios, almonds, and livestock such as goats, sheep, bulls, cows, pigs, chickens, and horses.

Export Trade from Armenia

Armenia was an important exporter of materials, supplying many countries with plant and mineral dyes, including madder grass, cochineal, purple dye, and ink nuts. The development of crafts like pottery, blacksmithing, jewelry, and textiles further promoted trade.

Armenian horses and scaffolding were in high demand, along with walnut, sodium salt, red and yellow arsenic, mountain resin, mercury, vitriol, silver, and lead.

Armenian craftsmen, particularly masons, were highly regarded. Ancient records mention how the Cilician Armenian kings made trade agreements with Venetian merchants, particularly regarding the theft of Armenian masons’ expertise.

Valery Bryusov, a poet, described the Cilician Kingdom of the 13th and 14th centuries as one of the centers of spiritual life for mankind. Armenia, despite constant struggles with Asia, was able to create a true center of culture.

However, commerce routes became targets for nomadic raids, and after the genocide, Armenia faced the collapse of trade, economic, and cultural activities.

This article hopefully encourages you to consider traveling to Armenia to see this historic country for yourself with Silk Road Armenia!