Kingdom of Vaspurakan

Kingdom of Vaspurakan
Kingdom of Vaspurakan

Kingdom of Vaspurakan (Վասպուրական) was one of the Medieval Armenian Kingdoms.  This kingdom’s territory was almost equal with the Greater Armenia Vaspurakan province territory. Located in what is now called eastern Turkey (Western Armenia) and northwestern Iran, the region is considered to be the cradle of 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 Van and Lake Urmia (also known as Kaputan) in 908. During this time they were under the sovereignty of the Bagratuni Kingdom of Ani.

Vaspurakan Province of Great Armenia
Vaspurakan Province of Great Armenia

Vaspurakan was elevated to the status of a kingdom in 908, when Gagik I of Vaspurakan was recognized King of Armenia by the Abbasids 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 the Bagratuni Ashot II. In 1021 Seneqerim Artsruni gave Vaspurakan to the Byzantine Empire, receiving Sebasteia and its surroundings. Vaspurakan became the Byzantine province (thema) of Vasprakania or Media. In 1054-1056  Vasprakania was conquered by the Saljuq Turks.

vaspurakan

In the 13th century part of Vaspurakan was liberated by Zakarids. But soon was conquered by Mongols, then by Ottoman Turks. 

After the Byzantine annexation the dynasty continued with Derenik, son of Gurgen Khatchik, who became lord of Antzivaziq by 1004 and had two brothers: Gugik and Ashot. King Hovhannes-Seneqerim 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 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, Vostan.

Rulers

Princes

Hamazasp II, Prince (800–836). Married to a daughter of Ashot Msaker of the Bagratuni family.
Ashot I Abulabus Artsruni, Prince (836–852). Son of Hamazasp II. First time.
Gurgen I Artsruni, Prince (852–853). Brother of Ashot I.
Abu Djafar Artsruni, Prince (853–854). Probably brother of Ashot I.
Gurgen II Artsruni of Mardastan, Prince. (854–857). Distant relative.
Grigor-Derenik Artsruni, Prince (857–868). Married Sofia, daughter of Ashot I Bagratuni the Great, Prince of Armenia. Son of Ashot I Artsruni. First time.
Ashot I Abulabus Artsruni, Prince (868–874). Second time.
Grigor-Derenik Artsruni, Prince (874–887). Second time.
Gagik Abu Morvan Artsruni, regent for Grigor-Derenik’s sons (887–896), then usurper prince (896–898).
Ashot-Sargis Artsruni (Ashot II), Prince (898–900). Son of Grigor-Derenik.
(Vaspurakan occupied by the Sajid emir Afshin (900).)
Safi, as governor of Van (900–901).
Ashot-Sargis Artsruni (Ashot II) (901–904). Reinstated. Afterhis death Vaspurakan is divided:
Gagik III (I) Artsruni, Prince (later king) in northwest Vaspurakan (904–908).Brother of Ashot-Sargis.
Gurgen III Artsruni, Prince in southeast Vaspurakan (904–925). Brother of Ashot-Sargis.

Kings

Gagik I (III) Artsruni, crowned king (908-925 northwestern part, 925-943 all Vaspurakan)
Derenik-Ashot (Ashot III), King (943–953). Son of Gagik I.
Abusahl-Hamazasp, King (953–972). Brother of Derenik-Ashot I.
Ashot-Sahak (Ashot IV), King (972–983). Son of Abusahl-Hamazasp.
Gurgen-Khachik (Gurgen IV), King (983–1003) and Lord of Antzevasiq. Brother of Ashot-Sahak.
Seneqerim-Hovhannes, Brother of Ashot-Sahak, King (1003–1021) and lord of Rechtuniq. Brother of Gurgen Khatchik.

Source:

Armenian-history.com

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