ancient Armenian language

Ancient Armenian, known as Classical Armenian or Grabar, is the earliest form of the Armenian language, used from the 5th century AD until the 18th century. It emerged after the creation of the Armenian alphabet by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD. Grabar is significant for its rich literature, including religious texts, historical documents, and philosophical works. While largely replaced by modern Armenian dialects, it remains a crucial part of Armenian cultural heritage, studied by scholars and used in liturgical contexts. Understanding Grabar is vital to grasping early Armenian identity and history.