The Armenian alphabet is more than 1,600 years old and its still used today in its original form.
Photo credit:Rita Willaert/Flickr
Mesrop Mashtots resolved to remedy this state of things by inventing a national alphabet.
With the help of Isaac of Armenia and King Vramshapuh, Mesrop created a set of thirty-six letters.
Three more were added in later centuries to take the total to thirty-nine.
Soon after inventing the new alphabet, Mesrop established schools throughout Armenia where the language was taught.
The alphabet became the key that allowed Armenians to preserve their culture and identity.
Photo credit:Nina Stossinger/Flickr
Photo credit:Oleg Sidorenko/Flickr
Photo credit:Carsten ten Brink/Flickr
Sources:Wikipedia/Waymarking/www.hyurservice.com/auroraprize.com
