# Eastern Armenia

Eastern Armenia (Armenian: Արևելյան Հայաստան Arevelyan Hayastan) comprises the eastern part of the Armenian highlands, the traditional homeland of the Armenian people. Between the 4th and the 20th centuries, Armenia was partitioned several times, and the terms Eastern and Western Armenia have been used to refer to its respective parts under foreign occupation or control, although there has not been a defined line between the two. The term has been used to refer to:
* Sasanian Armenia (a vassal state of the Persian Empire from 387, fully annexed in 428) after the country's partition between the Byzantine and Sassanian empires and lasted until the Islamic conquest of Armenia in the mid-7th century. The partition of Armenia in 387 marked the beginning of Sasanian control over Eastern Armenia, while the western half remained under Byzantine influence. Though initially ruled by an Armenian Arsacid king under Persian suzerainty, the Sasanian Empire abolished the Armenian monarchy in 428 and replaced it with a marzpanate, directly governed by Persian-appointed marzpans (governors). The Persian administration sought to integrate Armenia into the Sasanian system by imposing Zoroastrianism, leading to major resistance from Armenian nobles and clergy. One of the defining moments of this period was the Battle of Avarayr (451 AD), in which Armenian forces under Vardan Mamikonian fought against Persian forces to defend their Christian faith. Though the battle ended in defeat, Persia eventually recognized Armenia’s right to practice Christianity, securing its religious autonomy despite continued Sasanian rule. The Sasanian era saw the continuation of Armenian literary and religious traditions, with major developments such as the translation of the Bible into Armenian and the strengthening of the Armenian Church’s influence in Eastern Armenia. This period came to an end in the mid-7th century, when the Islamic Caliphate conquered Armenia, absorbing it into the growing Muslim empire.
* Iranian Armenia (1502–1813/1828), which covered the period of Eastern Armenia during the early-modern and late-modern era when it was part of the various Iranian empires, up to its annexation by the Russian Empire (1813 and 1828). During this period, Eastern Armenia was ruled by the Safavid Empire (1502–1736), Afsharid Dynasty (1736–1796), and Qajar Dynasty (1796–1828). The region was a constant battleground between Persia and the Ottoman Empire, leading to repeated invasions, forced displacements, and economic instability. In 1604, Shah Abbas I ordered the forced deportation of over 250,000 Armenians to Persia, particularly to New Julfa in Isfahan, significantly reducing the Armenian population in Eastern Armenia but strengthening Armenian trade networks within Persia. The Treaty of Zuhab (1639) formalized Persian control over Eastern Armenia, establishing a permanent division between the Persian and Ottoman-ruled Armenian lands. Under Persian administration, Eastern Armenia was divided into Chukhur-i Sa‘ad (Erevan and Nakhichevan) and Karabakh, ruled by Persian-appointed khans, though Armenian meliks (princes) in Karabakh maintained some local autonomy. By the 18th century, Persian control weakened, and Armenian leaders in Karabakh and Syunik actively sought Russian assistance to free themselves from Muslim rule. The Russo-Persian Wars (1804–1813, 1826–1828) ultimately resulted in Russian victories. The Treaty of Gulistan (1813) transferred Karabakh, Ganja, and other regions to Russian control, and the Treaty of Turkmenchai (1828) officially ended Persian rule in Eastern Armenia, making it part of the Russian Empire.
* Russian Armenia (1828 to 1917) and Soviet Armenia (1920 to 1991), which covered the Armenian-populated areas under the control of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, respectively, and currently exists as the Republic of Armenia. After Russia annexed Eastern Armenia in 1828, the region was organized into the Armenian Oblast, later becoming part of the Erivan Governorate. The Treaty of Turkmenchai (1828) led to the repatriation of over 40,000 Armenians from Persia, followed by waves of migration from the Ottoman Empire after the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). Under Russian rule, Armenians experienced greater economic stability, with the development of modern education, roads, and industry. However, by the late 19th century, Russification policies restricted Armenian-language education and reduced the power of the Armenian Church. The rise of Armenian nationalism led to the formation of political groups, including the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaks), which sought greater autonomy. During World War I, Eastern Armenians played a key role in the Russian Caucasus Army, assisting in the capture of Van and Erzurum. The Russian Revolution of 1917 led to the collapse of Russian rule in Eastern Armenia, leaving the region exposed to Ottoman invasions. This resulted in the declaration of the First Republic of Armenia in 1918, though it was short-lived, as Soviet forces took control in 1920, establishing Soviet Armenia.