Caucasian Albania

In this episode, we explore Caucasian Albania, an ancient kingdom that flourished in the eastern Caucasus, largely within modern-day Azerbaijan, from around the 2nd century BC to the 8th century AD. We examine its shifting political alliances, extraordinary linguistic and cultural diversity, distinctive alphabet associated with Mesrob Mashtots, and religious transformation from paganism and Zoroastrianism to Christianity and Islam. We also consider how the kingdom’s legacy shaped the histories of the Udi, Armenian, and Azerbaijani peoples—and why its heritage remains debated today.