ARMENIAN LEGENDS
Did you know that we have two very impressive legends in Armenian history? Haig the Hero and Ara the Handsome (also called Ara the Beautiful).

There were two episodes, although of legendary origin, which proved first, the invincible freedom loving spirit of the Armenian people, and second the deep loyalty of the Armenian towards the sanctity of their family.

Haig the Hero
According to the traditional history of Armenia, Haig the Hero, father of the Armenian people, was the legendary patriarch of the Armenian nation, and the fourth lineage of Noah. Haig the Hero refused to accept the conditions set by Bel, the legendary tyrant of Asyria, that he (Haig) would enjoy every freedom and comfort if only he recognized the sovereignty of Bel.  After the Tower of Babel was destroyed by God, Haig the Hero and his followers’ freedom loving spirits faced Bel in battle, killed him, and secured unconditional freedom for himself and his followers. After the battle Haig migrated further to the north, where according to legend, he founded Hayastan.  This legend, in its simplicity proves that the Armenian spirit does not tolerate slavery, but has a deep love for that heavenly blessing known as freedom. And it is because of this that the Armenians have lifted their national legendary Hero and their forefather up to the skies and named the constellation “Orion” after him—HAIG.

Ara the Handsome
The legend of  Ara the Handsome, son of Aram, was the seventh generation after Haig, and king of Armenia (more probably Urarta). Samiramis, who was the queen of Assyria, desired Ara the handsome. Because he was already married and did not want to betray his loyalty to his home and family, he refused to marry queen Samaramis.

After Ara declined her advances she invaded the country and Ara was slain. Thus, Ara the Handsome, a legendary king of Armenia gave his life to save his honor in remaining loyal to his marriage vow.

The legend of Ara the handsome (also called Ara the Beautiful) and Samiramis has been kept alive for some 3000 years.  It is possible that such an event has really taken place Due to the story’s transmittal by word of mouth for so many centuries it has taken its present legendary character symbolizing the loyalty of the Armenians toward their home and family.  Armenians have truly remained loyal to their home and family not only in the distant past but also in modern times.

During the massacres of 1895 and 1915 the Armenian men and women proved their loyalty towards their home and family with a spirit as heroic, as beautiful, and moving as that of Ara the Beautiful. Thousands of Armenian women threw themselves into rivers or the inferno of blazing houses, so they may not suffer the lust of the Turk or live in his Harem.  The story of Lucretia who committed suicide after she was violated by Tarquinus Sextus, was acted out thousands of times by Armenian women who became the modern Lucretia symbolizing chastity and loyalty to married life, truly believing that these virtues were the foundation of home and nation.

Had these two legends not existed they would have been created sooner or later by the Armenian people who have been endowed with the love of freedom and home throughout their history.

Article taken from “Atlas of Historical Armenia”- by H. K. Babessian

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