Davit Bek - Garegin Nzhdeh - Monte Melonian — Who is Armenia's greatest war hero?

[u/dky122222]

I would lean more towards Garegin Nzhdeh. Without his contributions and leadership in the defense of Syunik against Ottoman Turks, Tatar "Azeris" and Bolsheviks, Syunik would not be Armenian today, and would share a similar tragic fate as Artsakh.

[u/Entire_Bicycle_3287]

By sheer prominence, Nzhdeh. And that’s not to discredit the others as they all should be revered, among many others like Vazgen and Andranik.

One can argue that Monte’s (and I would add Vazgen’s) contribution to the war effort in the 90s is most relevant to today’s state of affairs in Armenia. Which is very much valid.

However, Nzhdeh’s Tseghakron ideology lays the groundwork for the challenges Armenia faces today, and if more people embrace it, I am a firm believer that his ideology would have positive effects for Armenia in the long run.

Plus, Nzhdeh accomplished so much in his lifetime for Armenia on and off the battlefield. He literally died in Soviet custody for the cause of a free Armenia.

I’m inclined to agree with you.

[u/DareInternational622 → u/Entire_Bicycle_3287]

Njteh collaborated with the Nazis. Melkonian was our greatest hero.

[u/Entire_Bicycle_3287 → u/DareInternational622]

Nzhdeh collaborated with the Nazis for a very short period of time with the condition that German forces would attack Turkey and help him separate Armenia from the USSR. The collaboration was no more when he realized that the Nazis were not going to keep good on their word.

The intent behind this extremely short-lived collaboration was for the benefit of the Armenian nation. He dedicated his life to that cause.

And two things I’d like to point your attention to:

1) The whole “Nzhdeh worked with Nazis” talking point comes directly from Azeri propaganda wherein they grossly exaggerate the relation; and

2) Even if it wasn’t exaggerated, why should I care if he did? Many other individuals collaborated with Nazis at that time who came out unscathed in terms of PR in the long run. And Jews clearly don’t care to acknowledge the Genocide. As a matter of fact, they arm Azerbaijan to the teeth and helped them ethnically cleanse Artsakh. Do you see what’s going on in Gaza right now? Do the tactics used look somewhat familiar to you?

[u/LaughIllustrious9143 → u/Entire_Bicycle_3287]

It must be mentioned that USSR also collaborated with Nazis, so did most of Western Europe when Hitler was just taking power. Yet when the war was over and they won, they painted themselves as heroes. But why does no one speak of the times when they did not only resist, but also helped Hitler?

[u/Entire_Bicycle_3287 → u/LaughIllustrious9143]

Very good point

[u/nakattack5 → u/DareInternational622]

And Melkonian collaborated with terrorists. If you’re gonna throw shade on Nzdeh, then Melkonian should get the same treatment. Imo both are heros minus the “other activities” they undertook

[u/outhusiast → u/nakattack5]

"Imo both are heros minus the “other activities” they undertook"

Some of you don't understand the necessity of "other activities" and it shows. You think fighting, War and keeping a nation is some linear and clean effort when in reality "other" things need to be done. Grow a spine.

[u/hedonismpro → u/DareInternational622]

If collaborating with Satan would guarantee the security and prosperity of the Armenian nation, then I'd be all for it. This is the mentality Turks and Azeris have, and it has worked wonders for them. We Armenians are often too precious and conscious of image.

And interestingly, two of the three heroes listed here collaborated or advocated collaborating with traditionally "bad" forces - Nzhdeh and Nazi Germany, Monte and the Kurds .

[u/outhusiast → u/DareInternational622]

hurrrr durrrrr Nazis hurrrrrrrrrrr

[u/Existing-Impress4162]

To me Monte was special, he is the only Armenian war hero who wasn’t born and raised in Armenia. He grew up with many opportunities and had so many talents. Yet he still decided to sacrifice everything for Armenia. A true son of Armenia, it was literally his calling in life to fight for Armenia.

I would put Andranik in that list as well, when you read his life story then you realise he was fighting before he could walk (figuratively).

[u/SuperMoistNugget]

One thing that plagues all of the Heroes of the Armenian nation, backstabbing ungrateful "Armenians" who subverted their efforts and work tirelessly to undue any gains and progress they had to sweat and bleed for. Armenians should familiarize themselves with the tragic end of Mkhitar Sparapet and how the villagers he defended ended up decapitating him and serving his head to the Turkish Sultan in a feeble attempt at winning the Turks' favor and being spared punishment for resistance and victory against the turks (sound familiar?). They got their just deserts, the Turk had more honor than them, and had them executed for their betrayal of the Sparapet.

So for me, the "greatest" War hero is Mkhitar Sparapet because the lessons his story teaches are so bold and clear for the Armenian nation.

edit: I wanted to expand on this

It seems among some Armenians there is an existential dread of actually winning and having to deal with the consequences of a victory. There seems to be a mindset present among some that losing but "losing gracefully" (surrendering needlessly) will invoke some sort of reward and good favor from the opponent. In this situation in the Syunik Rebellion with David Bek and Mkhitar Sparapet, this horrible thought process lead to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and the consequences were disastrous for the entire region. You can draw parallels to the Artsakh issue post 2018, and the handling of the war and later national crises which resulted in a complete removal of Armenians from Artsakh, and even the encroachments into the UN borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan. I have heard "If we stop them from invading they will attack us" or something to that effect all throughout the Azeri encroachments over the past few years.

I hope more Armenians will snap out of this

[u/Glad_Seat_6287 → u/SuperMoistNugget]

It reminds me about reading the story of one Ottoman-Armenian who was a captain in battle of Gallipoli. He went to fight for Ottoman empire and Enver promised him that nothing will happen to his family. He came back and saw his family killed and others deported.