HISTORY

The Golden Age of Armenia that followed Christianity rested squarely on the recreation of the Armenian alphabet by St. Mesrop Mashtots in the 5th Century (405 A.D.). The alphabet was essential to translate the scriptures into Armenian and make them intelligible to the common people.

Authentic specimen from the carvings of Dvin, 5th-6th Century (Illustration enhanced by A.A.A.Dolls)

Schools of translators were set up and scholars journied over the major cities of Asia Minor to procure copies of the sacred writings and other works. Literature rapidly became available in the Armenian language written in the new alphabet.

Of the literature being produced, the masterpiece was the Bible. Great care was taken on this task, and when finally achieved, it was termed the "Queen of Translations." But there was still a great work to be accomplished. The Bible had to be introduced to the people. This work was taken up by the literate women of Armenia. Over the period of a Century women from all walks of life, the number swelling into the thousands, left their homes to go among the people, and through instruction of the Bible, teaching the nation to read and write. In the Philomatic Lady, the costume of these women has been recreated. The costume is derived from an authentic specimen of the period shown in the carvings of Dvin, on display at the Museum of History in Yerevan.

With the rise of Islam in the 7th Century there was a series of Arab raids on Armenia. Dvin was destroyed and pillaged by the Arabs.