Vaspurakan Kingdom
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.
and Lake Urmia
(also known as Kaputan) in 908. During this time they were under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Ani. In contrast to the Armenian Vaspourakan, Bagratouni Armenia continued to energetically fight invading forces. In 1021, the Saljuq Turks suffered a heavy defeat against an Armenian army, led by Vasak Pahlavouni, who died during the battle.
Vaspurakan was elevated to kingdom
status in 908. From 908, when Gagik I of Vaspurakan was recognized King of Armenia by an Arab caliph
and at first was on their side, but soon he 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 Sebasteia
and its surroundings. Vaspurakan became the became the Byzantine province (thema) of Vasprakania or Media. In about 1050 Vasprakania was merged with that of Taron
, but was conquered by the Saljuq Turks between 1054-1056. In the 13th century part of Vaspurakan was liberated by Zakarids. But soon was conquered by Mongols
, then by Ottoman Turks
. Turks several times tried to kill Armenians
in Vaspurakan, especially in Van
. But Van
's Armenian
population always resisted, especially is notable Siege of Van
of 1915, when the Ottoman forces attacked on Van during 1915's Armenian Genocide
.
After the Byzantine annexation the dynasty continued with Derenic, son of Gurgen Khatchik, who became lord of Antzivaziq by 1004 and had two brothers: Gugik and Ashot. King Seneqerim Ioan also had several children among them David, Atom, Abushal and Constantine. There is a legend that one of Seneqerim's daughter is thought to have married Mendo Alao, an Alan
s who lived in Lusitania
. David had a daughter that married King Gagik II
of Ani.
Another branch of the family appeared on the person of Khatchik the Great in 1040, who had three children: Hasan, Djendjluk and Ishkhanik. Hasan had a son called Abelgharib who had a daughter that married King David of Ani.
The kingdom of Vaspurakan had no specific capital, the court moving as the king transferred his residence from place to place – Van
, Ostan/Vostan (modern Gevaş
), and so on.
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 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
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 VanLake 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. During this time they were under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Ani. In contrast to the Armenian Vaspourakan, Bagratouni Armenia continued to energetically fight invading forces. In 1021, the Saljuq Turks suffered a heavy defeat against an Armenian army, led by Vasak Pahlavouni, who died during the battle.
Vaspurakan was elevated to kingdom
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
status in 908. From 908, when Gagik I of Vaspurakan was recognized King of Armenia by an Arab caliph
Caliph
The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word which means "successor" or "representative"...
and at first was on their side, but soon he 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 Sebasteia
Sebasteia (theme)
The Theme of Sebasteia was a military-civilian province of the Byzantine Empire located in northeastern Cappadocia and Armenia Minor, in modern Turkey...
and its surroundings. Vaspurakan became the became the Byzantine province (thema) of Vasprakania or Media. In about 1050 Vasprakania was merged with that of Taron
Taron
Taron may refer to: * Taron , a region of historic Armenia* Taron , an ethnic group in Myanmar* Taron, a genus of gastropods in the family Fasciolariidae...
, but was conquered by the Saljuq Turks between 1054-1056. In the 13th century part of Vaspurakan was liberated by Zakarids. But soon was conquered by 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...
, then by 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...
. Turks several times tried to kill Armenians
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....
in Vaspurakan, especially in Van
Van
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.In British English usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon or sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs...
. But Van
Van
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.In British English usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon or sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs...
's 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....
population always resisted, especially is notable 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, when the Ottoman forces attacked on Van during 1915's 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...
.
After the Byzantine annexation the dynasty continued with Derenic, son of Gurgen Khatchik, who became lord of Antzivaziq by 1004 and had two brothers: Gugik and Ashot. King Seneqerim Ioan also had several children among them David, Atom, Abushal and Constantine. There is a legend that one of Seneqerim's daughter is thought to have married Mendo Alao, an Alan
Alan
-People :*Alan , the given name*alan , female Tibetan singer active in Japan*Alan , Mexican boy band singer*Alan , aka Gato Eveready, who wrestles in Asistencia Asesoría y Administración...
s who lived in Lusitania
Lusitania
Lusitania or Hispania Lusitania was an ancient Roman province including approximately all of modern Portugal south of the Douro river and part of modern Spain . It was named after the Lusitani or Lusitanian people...
. David had a daughter that married King Gagik II
Gagik II
Gagik II of Ani was the last Bagratuni King of Ani from 1042 to 1045.-Historical background:During the reign of John Smbat III, a feudal lord, David, who owned Taik during his battles against the Muslims, gained a large area which stretched all the way to Manzikert...
of Ani.
Another branch of the family appeared on the person of Khatchik the Great in 1040, who had three children: Hasan, Djendjluk and Ishkhanik. Hasan had a son called Abelgharib who had a daughter that married King David of Ani.
The kingdom of Vaspurakan had no specific capital, the court moving as the king transferred his residence from place to place – Van
Van, Turkey
Van 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...
, Ostan/Vostan (modern Gevaş
Gevas
Gevaş is a district of Van Province of Turkey. The mayor is Nezmi Sezer ....
), and so on.
Rulers
- Hamazasp II, Prince (800-836). Married to a daughter of Ashot MsakerAshot MsakerAshot Msaker was an Armenian prince from the Bagratid family. He ruled during the years of waning influence of Arab rule in Armenia.Upon his death in 826, Ashot bequeathed his land to two of his sons: the eldest, Bagarat Bagratuni received Taron and Sasun and inherited the prestigious title of...
of the Bagratuni family. - Ashot I Abulabus Ardzruni, Prince (836-852). Son of Hamazasp II.
- Gurgen I Ardzruni, Prince (852-853). Brother of Ashot I.
- Abu Djafar Ardzruni, Prince (853-854). Probably brother of Ashot I.
- Gurgen II Ardzruni of Mardastan, Prince. (854-857). Distant relative.
- Grigor Derenik Ardzruni, Prince (857-868). Married Sofia, daughter of Ashot I Bagratuni the Great, Prince of Armenia. Son of Ashot I Ardzruni.
- Ashot I Abulabus Ardzruni, Prince (868-874). Second term.
- Grigor Ardzruni, Prince (874-887). Second term.
- Gagik Abu Morvan Ardzruni, regent for Sargis Ashot (887-897), then prince (897-898).
- Sargis Ashot, Prince (898-900). Son of Grigor Ardzruni.
- Emir Afshin (900).
- SafiSafiSafi may refer to:*Safi Airways, an Afghan Airline based in Dubai*Safi, Morocco*Safi of Persia, a Safavid Shah of Iran*Safi, Malta, a local council on Malta*Safi , an Unani herbal medicine...
, as governor of Van (900-901). - Sargis Ashot (901-904). Reinstated.
- Khatchik Gagik III Ardzuni, Lord of Rechtuniq (887-897). Prince of northwest Vaspurakan (904-937). King of Vaspurakan (937-943). Brother of Sargis Ashot.
- Gurgen III Artzruni, Lord of Parskahaiq (887-897). Prince of southeast Vaspurakan (904-925). Brother of Sargis Ashot.
- Derenic Ashot III, King (943-953). Son of Gagik III.
- Abushal Hamazasp III, King (953-972). Brother of Derenic Ashot III.
- Ashot Sahak, King (972-983). Son of Abushal Hamazasp III.
- Gurgen Khatchik, King (983-1003) and Lord of Antzevaziq. Brother of Ashot Sahak.
- Seneqerim Ioan, King (1003–1021) and lord of Rechtuniq. Also King of SebasteSebasteSebaste was a common placename in classical Antiquity. Sebaste was the Greek equivalent of the Latin Augusta. Ancient towns by the name sought to honor Augustus or a later Roman emperor.- Places :* Elaiussa Sebaste in Mersin Province, Turkey...
(1021). Brother of Gurgen Khatchik.