The history of early medieval Armenia (VII–XI centuries) is often studied in the context of struggle between Byzantine Empire and the Arab Caliphate for Armenia and the Caucasus in general. When the Caliphate began to win this fight, as for example at the beginning of the VIII сentury, Armenia immediately became a part of Caliphate. However, the strengthening of Byzantium and the Arabs weakening in the second half of the ninth century led to the change of geopolitical situation in the Caucasus, which allowed Armenians to create an independent Armenian state (884/886–1045/1064).
On the basis of historical documents, archaeological and illustrated sources we investigated body armor of the Armenian nobility such as helmets, shields and lamellar, mail and scale armor. The article gives the general characteristics of popularity of a particular protective equipment, and described their quality characteristics.
We examined the approximate number of types of weapons and analyzed the most popular ones that are frequently mentioned in the sources (swords, bows, spears, slings, etc.). We will dwell upon the right of land ownership as the main source of income for small nobility for procurement of arms and consider the main centers of production of military equipment. We estimated the Byzantine-Arab influences on military affairs in medieval Armenia. General overview of military equipment of the Armenian soldier was created.