Vahagn Vishapakagh

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Vahagn Vishapakagh

Digital Sculpture by Mher Aroyan

Characteristics:

God of war, fire, thunder and bravery. Sometimes even known as the God of Sun. A Dragonslayer. Vahagn fought and conquered dragons, hence his title Vishabakagh, "dragon reaper", where dragons in Armenian lore are identified as “Vishaps". Unlike the Roman or Greek Gods, Vahagn did not bring horror or fear as the God of war. Instead he was the patron-protector of the weak and needy.

Family: With Aramazd and Anahit, Vahagn made a “Triad”: Trinity. Lover of Astghik.

Worship:

The most venerated God in Ancient Armenia. His day was celebrated on March 21st.
The 27th day of the old Armenian Calendar is named after Vahagn.

All the gods, according to the Euhemerist belief, had been living men; Vahagn likewise was introduced within the ranks of the Armenian kings, as a son of the Orontid Dynasty (or Yervanduni dynasty, 6th century B.C.), together with his brothers — Bab and Tiran.

Armenian poets and bards have written poems and songs dedicated to Vahagn... “In travail were heaven and earth,
In travail, too, the purple Sea!
The travail held in the sea the small red reed.
Through the hollow of the stalk came forth smoke,
Through the hollow of the stalk came forth flame,
And out of the flame a youth ran!
Fiery hair had he,
Ay, too he had flaming beard,
And his eyes, they were as suns!” Location:

The main temple of Vahagn worship was in the region of Taron. In that temple there was a statue of Vahagn.

Schools have been established in the temples of Vahagn, till the 8th grade. Not only military techniques were taught there, but also craft, trade and other skills to turn boys into men.

Greco-Roman equivalents (Interpretatio graeca):- Greek (Romanized) = Ares/ Heracles

Roman = Mars/ Hercules

Etruscan = Laran/ Hercle

Egyptian = Anhur/ Heryshaf

Phoenician = Melqart

Parthian (Hellenistic) = Verethragan/ Rostam (Heracles)...