The Sassanid and the Policy of Zoroastrization of Armenia

Since the middle of Arsacid Empire to the end of the Sassanid era، Armenia had always been the center of conflicts between these two great ancient powers، Iranians and Romans. Armenia was one of the Iranian Satrapies in the Achaemenid period named Armenia. In an agreement with the Roman government، a branch of Arsacid royal family ruled there since the second half of the first century AD. Following the rise of the Sassanid Empire، Armenians who regarded them as usurper of Parthian power began their resistance to them in extending their power in this area. Acceptance of Christianity in Armenia during Tiri dates the Great in 301 AD led to the development of tensions between the Sassanid and Armenia; especially when some of the Sassanid kings at this time tried to impose Zoroastrianism in Armenia. Using historical research methodology and on the basis of the existing evidence، this paper aims at studying the Sassanid policy in Zoroastrianzation of the Armenia for political purposes. This paper will show that none of these attempts were successful and Armenia remained a Christian country. Nonetheless، it is shown that despite these religious upheavals، Armenians remained as a partner and collaborator with Iranians.