When it comes to Armenia, the first thing that comes to mind is the Armenian brandy, famous throughout the post-Soviet space, and loving indigenous people. But if you dig deeper, you can be surprised to find out that this country has hidden in itself more than a dozen interesting facts. The history of Armenia is full of unusual events, and among the Armenians there are many outstanding personalities, whose names are forever inscribed not only in its history, but also in the history of the whole world.
I bring to your attention a selection of unique, unusual and most interesting facts about Armenia, which will help you broaden your horizons and look at this country from a different angle.
Greetings from Churchill
Armenians have long been famous for their tough disposition and often became hostages of harsh statements or rash actions. But history knows one case when an Armenian, who shot a man in front of a dozen witnesses, was found innocent. It happened in 1921 on the streets of Berlin. The murderer was an Armenian of Turkish origin Soghomon Tehlirian, who encroached on the life of the ex-Minister of Police of the Ottoman Empire.
During the trial, it was established that the former official was one of the protagonists of the famous Armenian genocide, for which he paid with his head, the killer himself was acquitted. This is the first unusual verdict in all judicial practice.
Many history buffs know for certain that the famous politician W. Churchill is addicted to Armenian brandy. He liked the drink so much that he could drink a bottle of 50% Dvin cognac every day. But one day the politician discovered that his beloved cognac had lost its original taste. Since in those years Churchill's relations with Stalin were normal, he hastened to express his dissatisfaction with the leader of the peoples.
As it turned out, the master responsible for the taste of cognac was exiled to Siberia. But it was with the light hand of Churchill that Margar Sedrakyan was returned from exile and reinstated in the party. Here's an unusual fact.
Unusual facts
As many of us know, Mount Ararat is usually referred to as the symbols of Armenia. But here's the thing: the mountain itself is not located at all on the territory of the country. Back in 1921, the territory with the mentioned mountain became part of Turkey.
Not many people know that in the European part apricots were known for a long time under a different name. They were called Armenian apples. The fact is that fruits were usually called according to their place of origin. Examples of this were dates (from Phenicia) and peaches (from Persia).
A small settlement in Armenia called Chardakhly is one of a kind. It can boast that it was in the local families that two marshals, at least 12 generals and seven Heroes of the USSR grew up at once.
No matter how they say it, Armenia became the first country that officially adopted the Christian religion as a state one.
It turns out that the author of the world's first textbook on arithmetic was also a native of Armenia. Mathematician David Invincible compiled a collection of problems back in the 4th century, one of the copies of which is still kept in the repository of historical manuscripts in Yerevan.
As we all know, each of the countries has experienced years of prosperity and decline. Armenia is no exception. The most powerful state was in the 1st century BC, during the reign of King Tigran II. Then Armenia stretched from Mesopotamia to the Mediterranean.
Other features of Armenia
Every tourist who had a chance to taste local dishes was surprised to find that the salt content in the food of Armenians is higher than anywhere else. Local chefs generously sprinkle the dishes with white seasoning and this is due to the peculiarities of the local climate.
Few know that the capital of Armenia is considered one of the most ancient cities on the planet. The first mentions of Yerevan date back to the first century BC. Even Rome was founded only 29 years later.
According to the well-known BBC television corporation, it is the Armenians who are the smartest representatives of humanity. And it's hard to disagree with this. For example, it was the Armenians who won the last three Chess Olympiads.
At different times, the throne of the Byzantine emperor was occupied by twenty rulers with Armenian roots.
