Lesser Armenia Coin Pendant

Description

Armenia was so closely associated with the crusader states that it can be properly considered with them. Christianity had been the state religion since King Tiridates III was converted by Gregory the Illuminator in 301 AD. At that time Tiridates declared Christianity as the national religion, the first country in the world to do so, some 20 years before Constantine the Great did the same for the Roman Empire

As with many Central European countries, Armenia has had a long history of alternating periods of independence and subjugation. Armenia suffered these more than most, and at one time was so religiously persecuted that those of devout Christian faith actually left the native area, and founded a new nation near the Mediterranean Sea, called “lesser armenia”.

Geographic proximity brought lesser armenia into close contact and influence with the crusaders and Europe. Western ideas, social structure, language, and art were adopted and flourished. This was considered the “golden age of Armenian illumination.” This silver coin, a Dram, is the equivalent of the Drachma.