Vaspurakan
Encyclopedia
Vaspurakan was the first and biggest province of Greater Armenia, which later became an independent kingdom during the Middle Ages
, centered around Lake Van
. Located in what is now called eastern Turkey
and northwestern Iran
, the region is considered to be the cradle of Armenian
civilization.
. In VI BC it became part of Satrapy of Armenia
. From 189 BC
it became on of Greater Armenia's provinces. Then it became part of Arsacid Dynasty of Armenia
. After 387's division it was included into Persian Armenia. In VIII century it felt under Arab
control. Many rebellions took place in Vaspurakan. In 885, within the territory of Kingdom of Armenia (Middle Ages), it became free.
During most of its history it was ruled by the Ardzruni dynasty, which first managed to create a principality in the area. At its greatest extent Vaspurakan comprised the lands between Lake Van
and Lake Urmia
(also known as Kaputan) in 908. From 908, when Gagik I of Vaspurakan was recognized King of Armenia by Arab Caliph and at first was on their sight, but soon hr regretted and together with Ashot II
defeated the Arabs. Soon he was recognized, as the King of Vaspurakan by Ashot II
. In 1021 Seneqerim Ardzruni gave Vaspurakan to the Byzantine Empire
, receiving Sebastia
and surroundings.
After Vaspurakan was ceded to the Byzantine Empire
, it was conquered by Seljuq Turks. In XIII century part of Vaspurakan was liberated by Zakarids, but was then conquered by the Mongols
, and then by the Ottoman Turks
. Notable is the Siege of Van
of 1915 during the Armenian Genocide
.
(canton chief) that ruled them:
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, centered around Lake Van
Lake Van
Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey, located in the far east of the country in Van district. It is a saline and soda lake, receiving water from numerous small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. Lake Van is one of the world's largest endorheic lakes . The original outlet from...
. Located in what is now called eastern Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and northwestern Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, the region is considered to be the cradle of Armenian
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
civilization.
History
From IX BC Vaspurakan was part of UrartuUrartu
Urartu , corresponding to Ararat or Kingdom of Van was an Iron Age kingdom centered around Lake Van in the Armenian Highland....
. In VI BC it became part of Satrapy of Armenia
Satrapy of Armenia
The Satrapy of Armenia , also known as Orontid Armenia after the ruling Orontid Dynasty, was one of the satrapies of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BC, which later became an independent kingdom...
. From 189 BC
189 BC
Year 189 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Nobilior and Vulso...
it became on of Greater Armenia's provinces. Then it became part of Arsacid Dynasty of Armenia
Arsacid Dynasty of Armenia
The Arsacid dynasty or Arshakuni dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Armenia from 54 AD to 428 AD. Formerly a branch of the Iranian Parthian Arsacids, they became a distinctly Armenian dynasty. Arsacid Kings reigned intermittently throughout the chaotic years following the fall of the Artaxiad Dynasty...
. After 387's division it was included into Persian Armenia. In VIII century it felt under Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
control. Many rebellions took place in Vaspurakan. In 885, within the territory of Kingdom of Armenia (Middle Ages), it became free.
During most of its history it was ruled by the Ardzruni dynasty, which first managed to create a principality in the area. At its greatest extent Vaspurakan comprised the lands between Lake Van
Lake Van
Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey, located in the far east of the country in Van district. It is a saline and soda lake, receiving water from numerous small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. Lake Van is one of the world's largest endorheic lakes . The original outlet from...
and Lake Urmia
Lake Urmia
Lake Urmia , ancient name: Lake Matiene) is a salt lake in northwestern Iran, near Iran's border with Turkey. The lake is between the Iranian provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan, west of the southern portion of the similarly shaped Caspian Sea...
(also known as Kaputan) in 908. From 908, when Gagik I of Vaspurakan was recognized King of Armenia by Arab Caliph and at first was on their sight, but soon hr regretted and together with Ashot II
Ashot II
Ashot II the Iron was an Armenian King, the son of King Smbat I. His reign was filled with rebellions by pretenders to the throne, and foreign invasions, which Ashot fought off successfully. This is how he got the epithet the Iron. In 914, Ashot II visited Constantinople to get aid from Byzantine...
defeated the Arabs. Soon he was recognized, as the King of Vaspurakan by Ashot II
Ashot II
Ashot II the Iron was an Armenian King, the son of King Smbat I. His reign was filled with rebellions by pretenders to the throne, and foreign invasions, which Ashot fought off successfully. This is how he got the epithet the Iron. In 914, Ashot II visited Constantinople to get aid from Byzantine...
. In 1021 Seneqerim Ardzruni gave Vaspurakan to the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
, receiving Sebastia
Sebastia
Sebastia can refer to:* Sebastia: Sivas, Turkey is the provincial capital of Sivas Province in Turkey. Sivas first appears in history as Seabaste...
and surroundings.
After Vaspurakan was ceded to the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
, it was conquered by Seljuq Turks. In XIII century part of Vaspurakan was liberated by Zakarids, but was then conquered by the Mongols
Mongols
Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia...
, and then by the Ottoman Turks
Ottoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
. Notable is the Siege of Van
Siege of Vān
The Siege of Vān occurred in 1547 when Suleiman the Magnificent attacked Persia in his second campaign of the Ottoman-Safavid War ....
of 1915 during the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
.
Cantons
Vapusrakan's territory was 40870 km² (15,780 sq mi) and was divided into 35 cantons. They usually took the name of the local nakhararNakharar
Nakharar was a hereditary title of the highest order given to houses of the ancient and medieval Armenian nobility.-Nakharar system:Medieval Armenia was divided into large estates, which were the property of an enlarged noble family and were ruled by a member of it, to whom the title of Nahapet...
(canton chief) that ruled them:
- Aghiovit
- Aghvandrot
- Akeh
- Andzakhidzor
- AntzevasiqAntzevasiqAntzevasiq was a region of ancient and medieval Armenia c. 400–800 in the South-East of Vaspurakan, ruled by the Antzevatsi family....
- ruled by the AntzevatsiAntzevatsiThe Antzevatsi were a family that ruled the Armenian region of Antsevasiq, South-East of Van Lake and also South-East of Vaspurakan, where it was an enclave.-Rulers:*Gnel or Gunel Antzevatsi c. 374*Chmavon, Zuaren and Aravan Antzevatsi c. 445...
. - Arberani
- Archishaovit
- Arnoyotn
- Artavanian
- Artashesian
- Artaz
- Atrpatunik
- Bagan
- Bujnunik
- Bogunik
- Darni
- Ervandunik
- Gavityan
- Gazrikan
- Gokhten
- Gukan
- Kirchunik
- Kughanovit
- Mardastan
- Metz AghbakMetz AghbakMetz Aghbak Armenian: Աղբակ Մեծ is a district of Vaspurakan province of Historical Armenia. Its main town was known as Adamamert aka Hadamakert . This town corresponds to modern Başkale in the east of modern Turkey....
- Metznunik
- NakhichevanNakhichevanThe Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a landlocked exclave of Azerbaijan. The region covers 5,363 km² and borders Armenia to the east and north, Iran to the south and west, and Turkey to the northwest...
- Rechtuniq - ruled by the Rechtuni.
- Patspatounik
- Palouniq
- Taygirian
- Tchevashrot
- Tornavan
- TosbTosbTosp is a district of Vaspurakan province of Historical Armenia.The name came from the name Tushpa known as the capital of Araratian Kingdom aka Urartu...
- VarajnuniVarajnuniVarazhnuni was a noble house of old Armenia that ruled the district of Varazhnunik....
q - ruled by the Varajnuni.
Sites of Interest
- The old city of VanVan, TurkeyVan is a city in southeastern Turkey and the seat of the Kurdish-majority Van Province, and is located on the eastern shore of Lake Van. The city's official population in 2010 was 367,419, but many estimates put this as much higher with a 1996 estimate stating 500,000 and former Mayor Burhan...
- Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross, former Armenian Katholicosate of Aghtamar on the Isle of Aghtamar
- VaragavankVaragavankVaragavank , also known as Yedi Kilise , was a prominent Armenian monastery founded in the 11th century on the slopes of Mount Varag 9 km east of the city of Van in Turkey's Eastern Anatolia region....
, an Armenian monastery on the slopes of Mt. Varag (9 km. east of Van), founded by King Sennacherib-John early in his reign (1003–1024). It became the richest and most celebrated monastery of the Lake Van area. Here, Khrimian Hayrik founded Arciv Vaspurakani (The Eagle of Vaspurakan), the first newspaper ever printed in Armenia. The archbishop of Van resided here until the late nineteenth century. On April 30, 1915, the Turkish army destroyed the monastery; its ruins are still visible, though. - The Monastery of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, near Mount VaragMount VaragMount Erek is a horny mountain overlooking the city of Van in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey.- Historical sites :...
- Naregavank, a destroyed 10th century Armenian monastery where Krikor Naregatsi is buried
- Karmravank, a 10th century Armenian monastery on the shores of Lake Van
- Saint Gregory of Goms monastery, on the souther shores of Lake Van
- Saint Thomas Monastery, near the shores of Lake Van
- Saint Bartholomew MonasterySaint Bartholomew MonasteryThe Saint Bartholomew Monastery is a 13th-18th century Armenian monastery built in what was then the Vaspurakan Province of Greater Armenia, now near the town of Başkale in the Van Province of southeastern Turkey...
- The Church of the Holy Cross at SoradirChurch of the Holy Cross at SoradirThe Church of the Holy Cross at Soradir is a 6th century Armenian monastic complex in south-eastern Turkey. It is situated west of the village of Yanal near the town and district of Başkale in Van Province.- History :...
- Hayots Dzor (now Gürpınar plain), the valley in which the Armenian progenitor Hayk defeated the Assyrian king Bel
- HaykaberdHaykaberdHaykaberd , currently known as , is a fortified site in the Hayots Dzor region of historic Armenia . It is located approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Van along the road leading to the city of Hakkâri...
(now Çavuştepe), the castle constructed by Hayk in Hayots Dzor - Plain of Avarayr
- Saint Thaddeus Monastery
- Saint Stepanos Monastery