The goal of this article is to approach the Armenian epic poetry and above all the phenomenon of local troubadour lyrics as such, in the light of traditions of neighbouring nations and also in a European context. I have tried to show that Armenia (and the Caucasus region as whole) is far from being a region deserving only the marginal interest of researchers. To the contrary, its relative isolation on the one hand and the constant blending of cultures and the emergence of syncretic traditions on the other hand make the Caucasus a fountainhead of topics not only for ethnologists and folklorists. Armenian lyric poetry can be shown to have developed under the strong influence of Persian as well as Arabic poetry, but Armenian folk art tended to také its inspiration also from local traditions, and through the quasi authorship of hayrens it then became the inspiration for the higher art form of poetry. Through popular music, Armenian troubadour lyric poetry has remained alive and is still popular with the public.