Azhdahak

In Armenian mythology, Azhdahak was a vishapamart (dragon man). Vishaps are believed to live in high mountains, in big lakes, in the sky, and in the clouds. They are believed to roar and sweep away everything in their path, especially when descending onto lakes. It is believed that a thousand-year-old vishap can absorb the whole world.

According to Movses Khorenatsi, Azhdhak was a king of the Marrs (also known as the Medes), and the grandfather of Cyrus. Tigran the Great would kill him with his sister’s help (who was married to the man) after the failed attack on Armenia. Khorenatsi wrote: “Azhdahak means dragon in our language”. As such, the Medes king is referred to as part man, part dragon, probably a self-proclaimed title.