When we mention the Jews, they were once wanderers on the Earth, drifting without a homeland to call their own.
But in this world, there's a nation even more resilient than the Jews. Despite enduring two massacres, they still stand strong on this planet. Who are they?
There are four ancient civilizations in the world, but today we only see China as the one still standing.
China not only retained the spark of its culture but also grew increasingly powerful, a unique phenomenon in world history.
Another nation, although increasingly distant from ancient Babylon, was once part of the Babylonian civilization. They are the Armenians.
Looking back in history, Armenians initially thrived in the Mesopotamian region. Thousands of years ago, they established their own culture, language, and values, forming the ethnic characteristics of ancient Armenia.
The territory of ancient Armenia was vast, covering the Caucasus region to eastern Turkey today, almost holding sway over the entire area.
But this wasn't the Armenians' original homeland. It's said that the Urartu Kingdom was their true ancestor, and later, the Kingdom of Yervanduni appeared, which truly wrote the name "Armenia" into history.
However, rise and fall are the norms. No matter how brilliant a civilization develops, there will inevitably come a day when it declines, much like the lamentable fall of the Roman Empire.
Typically, the decline of one power is inevitably linked to the rise of others.
Around the 8th century BCE, a seed of destruction was quietly sown.
The Mesopotamian region was lush and suitable for human habitation. Besides the Armenian civilization, the Neo-Babylonians and Medes were gradually growing stronger.
The spread of Greek civilization made Persia a powerful entity, and Armenia was incorporated into the Persian realm as a result.
The evolution of world powers was complex and diverse. During the Hellenistic period, Alexander the Great appeared.
Though fleeting, through this war, Armenians cleverly escaped Persian rule and became a region spanning between Persia and Rome. Around the 3rd century CE, Armenians officially founded their country and began adopting Christianity, establishing a religious constitutional state.
Although Armenians have different beliefs from what we adhere to, their faith in Christianity is equally devout.
If God truly exists, perhaps He would also be moved by their sincere faith.
Despite being influenced by philosophical thoughts, people began to view Christianity as a way out of life, establishing various churches of various sizes everywhere. Still, only Armenians consistently adhered to their faith.
Armenians were shaped and influenced by the culture they believed in, gradually developing their own cultural characteristics.
Unfortunately, the situation for Armenians was extremely difficult.
Despite the desire for development, the conditions were lacking, the most difficult thing for a country.
Earlier, Armenia was annexed by Persia mainly because several forces on the European continent were vying for dominance, but Armenia always seemed to be the losing side.
Today's situation in Europe is even more complicated.
There are various resources here, but the land is limited, leading to inevitable fierce competition.
Coupled with the intertwining of various civilizations and each ethnic group having its own beliefs, nobody yields to anyone.
Apart from some military needs forcing some countries to form alliances, this is like a hell where war could erupt at any moment.
For the Armenians, who are quietly developing, this is not a good thing.
In the 9th century CE, Armenia was once on the brink of collapse. Although they escaped the threat of the Abbasid Empire, they were soon invaded by the Byzantine Empire, and a beautiful civilization disappeared.
Subsequently, the Seljuk Empire also wanted a piece of the pie, which was simply adding insult to injury for Armenia, how much of the remaining civilization could be left?
Later, the powerful on the continent of Europe shadowed each other, with cavalry armies fighting fiercely, empires rising and falling, but Armenia was powerless to resist, becoming the leftovers of various empires.
Perhaps their civilization was preserved mainly because of the state faith established at the founding of the country: Christianity.
Although the power of faith cannot be evaluated, sincere faith has brought this nation, which has suffered many hardships, a power transcending time and space.
In the blink of an eye, in modern times, Armenia has experienced the rise and fall of powerful forces like Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, and Tsarist Russia. Even in the changing times, Armenia itself has experienced new pains of division, becoming a sacrifice of war.
However, Armenia has not emerged from the predicament.
Territorial disputes and religious conflicts have plunged them into confrontation with Azerbaijan.
And Armenia is isolated internationally, with little support outside of Russia.
For this Christian nation, they are likely viewed as heretics by the surrounding religious believers.
Coupled with conflicts of interest, the situation for Armenians remains bleak.
Looking back on Armenia's history, one can't help but think of the entanglements between Israel and Palestine.
Hopefully, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan won't be exacerbated by the intervention of certain Western countries. It's best for the issue to be resolved by the countries themselves, then there's hope.
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