Great Armenian kings

In the history of Armenia there were both periods of prosperity and education of the Great Empire, and years of power under the rulers of other states. The great Armenian kings Artashes I and Tigran the Great, Trdat I, Arshak and Pap became famous for their achievements in uniting Armenia into a rich and highly developed state, as well as the establishment of Christian power in the country.

The article describes the numerous Armenian dynasties and the Byzantine emperors of Armenian origin.

History of Armenia

Armenia is a territory and a state between the Caspian and Black Seas. The history of the Armenian state is about 2.5 thousand years, although its beginnings go back to the era of the fall of the states of Urartu and Assyria, when the kingdom of Armé-Shubriya (12th century BC) later became Scythian-Armenian.

The ancient tribes of Armenians came to these areas from the Balkan Peninsula, later in the 7th century. BC. E. The flies (the ancient name of the Armenians) occupied the territory of part of Transcaucasia, which previously belonged to the kingdom of Urartu, and assimilated into the local population.

In the 6th century. BC. E. They created a sovereign state, then there was a period of subordination to the Assyrians, the Median kingdom, the Persians, the Syrians, Alexander the Great. For 200 years BC. E. Armenia existed in the Seleucid kingdom, then again became independent. The state consisted of Great and Lesser Armenia. According to the research of historians, the first Armenian king of Great Armenia Artashes I took the throne in 189 BC. E. And became the founder of the Artashesid dynasty.

In 70 BC. E. The two parts reunited in a single state. Since 63 AD, the Armenian lands were subordinated to the Roman Empire, and in the 3rd century the Christian religion spread here. Four centuries later, Great Armenia became dependent on Persia, then from 869 it again gained independence.

Since 1080, some territories fall under the rule of the Greeks, others leave Turkey. In 1828 the northern part of Armenia became part of the Russian Empire, then in 1878 parts were joined together with Kars and Batumi.

Ancient dynasties of Armenian kings

Some of the most ancient rulers of Armenia, kings, were ascended to the throne by Achaemenid kings and were considered their satraps.

Famous dynasties of Armenian kings:

• Yervandides - ruled the country in the period from 401 to 200 years. BC. E., up to the defeat of the Seleucids: Ervand I and II, Kodoman, Ervand II (again); Mikran, Yervand III, Artavazd, Yervand IV.
• The next in chronology is the dynasty of the Sophena kings, which arose after the conquest and unification of part of the Armenian lands in the Sophenu satrapy with the capital Armavir (in the Ararat valley). Reigned from 260 BC. E. Up to 95 g. The list of Armenian kings of this dynasty: Sam, Arsham, Xerxes, Zarekh, Mitroborzan I (Arthran), Yervand V. Then Sophena was conquered by Tigran the Great and annexed to Great Armenia.
• The most historically known dynasty of Artashesides rules the country since 189 BC. E. And up to 1 year old. E. - these are the famous kings Artashes I, Tigran I and Tigran II the Great, Artavasids I and II, and others.
• The dynasty of the Arshakids (51-427), founded by Trdat I, brother of the Parthian king Vologue I. At the end of their rule, the Persian empire was exterminated, after which many centuries Armenia was ruled by kings appointed by the Persian authorities (marzpanes) and Byzantium ( Kuropalats), as well as the ostikans of the Arab caliphs.

Kings of the Great Armenian Empire

The most famous is the dynasty of the kings of Great Armenia Artashesidov, who entered the rights in 189 BC. E. The Armenian king Artashes I came to the throne of Great Armenia after his proclamation by the Seleucid king Anthony III. Artashes became the founder of the Artashesid dynasty and became famous as a famous reformer and conqueror. He was able to subjugate the entire population of the Armenian highland and some neighboring regions to Armenia. Thus, Great Armenia quickly multiplied its territories and enriched itself during the hostilities.

The first city of Artashat was built on the left bank of the Araks River in 166 BC. The capital of the state was transferred there. According to medieval legends, Artashes I held a very important land reform, demarcating the tsarist, urban and communal lands.

The military campaigns of this king were successful and helped to multiply the territory of Great Armenia. Moreover, the tsar undertook these campaigns in all directions, gradually conquering all neighboring regions. One of the famous campaigns was the one when Artashes tried to capture the Hellenistic states of the Middle East, but with the help of the Seleucids they remained independent. The era of his rule lasted almost 30 years, until his death.

After the death of Artashes his son, the Armenian king Tigran I, sat on the throne in 160 BC. E. He became known for having joined the struggle with the Parthian state. The era of the war between Armenia and the Parthians was quite long - almost 65 years. The next king of Armenia was Artavazd I, the grandson of Artashes. And only in 95 BC. E. The king became his brother (according to some, the son), later named Tigran the Great.

King Tigran the Great

Tigran II was born in 140 BC. E. And spent his youth as a prisoner at the court of King Mithridates II, who captured him when the Armenian army was defeated. When the news of the death of the Armenian king Artavazd I came, Tigran was able to redeem his freedom, giving in return a large territory of land in the Kurdistan region.

The Armenian king Tigran the Great remained in power for 40 years, for which Armenia reached an incredible imperial power. His reign began in a favorable period, when Roman power was overthrown in this region by the Evpatorian king Mithridates (king of Pontus), who was able to consolidate the whole of the Black Sea coast with him.

Tigran marries Mitridat's daughter Cleopatra. His entire foreign policy was aimed at military large-scale campaigns at first with the Romans (with the support of Mithridates of Pontus), as a result of which he was able to return the given lands, conquer Assyria, Edessa and other territories, and annex the lands of Northern Mesopotamia.

In the year 83 BC. E. The Armenian army, in agreement with the Syrian nobility and traders, invaded Syria, capturing Cilicia and Phenicia to Northern Palestine. Having obeyed 120 provinces and satrapies, he began to call himself King of the Kings and the Divine, releasing silver coins, which became the best (according to historians) among all that the Armenian kings minted (see photo below).

Coins were minted in Antioch and Damascus and depicted Tigran the Great in a 5-final tiara with a star and eagles. Later he built his own mint. Having reigned in Syria for 14 years, the Armenian king Tigran II the Great helped their economic revival, bringing peace and prosperity to these lands.

During these years, its power spread to a vast territory, from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean, from Mesopotamia to the Pontine Alps. The Armenian Empire became cohesive politically, with each of the controlled states paying tribute to it, but at the same time retaining its laws and the status of an autonomous principality.

In this era Armenia represented a social structure, gradually shifting to the emerging elements of feudalism. At the same time, the clan organization was combined with the widespread use of slave labor, which involved captives captured in neighboring territories during various wars.

Tigran the Great began construction of his capital Tigranakert (modern territory of South Turkey), which he conceived as a political and economic center of the state, in which the Armenian kings will rule. To settle the city by people, he encouraged the emigration of Jews, and also forcibly resettled the inhabitants of the ravaged provinces, according to some sources, even forced the relocation of 12 Greek cities - the total number of settlers was estimated at 300 thousand.

However, in 72 AD due to his father-in-law Mitridat, Tigran entered the war with Rome, which was the beginning of his defeat and the collapse of the Empire of Armenia. The Roman commander Lucullus dealt him a great defeat, having torn Syria and Phenicia, taking the ancient capital of Artaxatu under siege. Then in the year 66 the Parthian troops entered the war, and the tsar surrendered to the Romans, concluding a hasty peace. The remaining 11 years, already old and feeble, the Armenian king continued to rule the country as a vassal of Rome.

Tsar Artavazd II

Artavazd became king in 55 BC. E. And was the most educated and learned. This king spoke freely in the Greek language, he was known as a connoisseur of literature and even composed tragedies and historical works. True to the alliance with Rome, Artavazd sent a 50-thousand-strong army to attack the Parthians. However, later he entered into an alliance with them, giving his sister for the son of the Parthian king of the City.

He ruled the country for 20 years, which passed in peace and prosperity. However, on the side of the Roman rulers Mark Antony and Cleopatra, he was accused by them of treason. Armenian tsar Artavazd and his family Mark Antony in chains brought and gave to the destruction of Cleopatra, who tried ruthless torture to find out from them the place of treasure, which the Armenian kings collected. And Antony's army at this time robbed Armenian cities and destroyed the temple of the goddess Anahit. So without knowing anything, Cleopatra ordered to kill the Armenian king, who is in prison.

Dynasty Arshakids and the birth of Christianity

Arshakids - dynasty, which ruled in Parthia (now Iran) in 250-228 BC. E. This kind of family has been royal for many centuries, it was associated with the events of world history. The founder of the Armenian royal branch was Tiridat (Trdat I), who occupied the throne of Armenia at the end of the 1st century. All this time, endless Roman-Persian wars and conflicts continued.

Trdat I - the first Armenian king who introduced Christianity in Armenia. In the 2-3 cc. This religion has become widespread in the regions surrounding Armenia. Thus, the Apostolic Church of the State of Antioch and the ancient center of Edessa in Mesopotamia contributed to the spread of Christianity, then the writings of Bishop Theophilia and Marcus Aurelius became popular , preaching Christian doctrine.

One of the most famous historical names, loved by the Armenian people for centuries: St. Gregory the Illuminator, who returned from Parthia to Armenia, to preach here the Christian faith. Due to the fact that his father was the murderer of King Khosrov I (238), who ruled Armenia Trdat III threw Gregory into the dungeon of the royal castle, where he subsequently spent 15 years.

Trdat I later freed St. Gregory, who cured as a sign of forgiveness from a severe mental illness and baptized him and the entire royal court. In 302, Gregory the Enlightener became a bishop and was elected head of the Armenian Christian Church.

In 359, the Persian-Roman war begins, the outcome of which is the defeat of Rome. At this time, Arshak II (345-367 gg.) Ruled on the Armenian throne, who begins a war with Persia, which was initially quite successful for Armenia, but then Persian king Shalukh takes deception and imprisons Arshak, where he dies.

At this time, his wife Parandzem was besieged by enemy troops in the fortress of Artagers, along with an 11,000-strong army. After long battles, famine and the outbreak of the epidemic, the fortress fell, and Parandzem was killed and tortured.

Her son Pap returns to Armenia and becomes king thanks to the Roman emperor Vages. The time of his reign (370-374) was a period of restoration of destroyed settlements, the restoration of churches and the improvement of state affairs. The Armenian king, Dad, at the head of the army won in the Dzirowski battle of the Persians and restored peace in Armenia.

Having cleared the country of foreign invaders, King Pap was intensively engaged in the restoration of the state, he limited the land ownership of the church and established the initial independence of the Armenian Catholic Church, strengthened the army, and carried out certain reforms. However, on the orders of the Roman Emperor Vages, he was lured to a luxurious feast, where he deservedly dealt with a young Armenian patriot.
In history, he remained as one of the most active Armenian kings.

After the death of the Pope, the kings of Varazdat (374-378), Arshak (378-389), Khosrov, Vramshapukh (389-417), Shapur (418-422), Artashes Artashir (422-428) were on the throne.

In 428, the Persians seized Armenia - thus ended the period of greatness and prosperity of the state of Great Armenia, ruled by the famous Armenian kings.

Disintegration of Great Armenia and resettlement of Armenians

Armenians began to settle in Byzantium since the 4th century because of the unstable situation in their homeland, where there were constant military conflicts with neighboring states. When the destruction of the royal power and the division of Great Armenia between Byzantium and Persia occurred, many princes rushed to Byzantium together with their families and military detachments. They sought to use their military knowledge and talents in the administrative service.

In these same years, there has been a mass migration of Armenians to the Balkans, Cyprus and Cilicia, and North Africa. The tendency to recruit military and bodyguards of Armenian origin in the palace guards in the Byzantine Empire existed for a long time. The Armenian cavalry and other military units were highly valued. And they were located not only in the capital, but also in other cities (in particular, in Italy and in Sicily).

Armenian kings of Byzantium

Many Armenians occupied high military and spiritual posts, engaged in academic activities, teaching in monasteries and universities. Famous fame was won by artists and architects. Armenian grandees, being descendants of ancient royal families, gradually from Byzantium settled throughout Europe, entering into kinship with noble and royal families.

In the history of Byzantium on the throne visited more than 30 emperors of Armenian descent. Among them: Mauritius (582-602), Emperor Irakli I (610-641), Philipp Vardan (711-713), Lev the Armenian (813-820), Basil I of Macedon (867-886), Roman I Lakapin (920- 944), John Tzimisces (969-976) and many others.

Famous kings of Byzantium of Armenian origin

According to historical information, in 11-12 centuries. Armenian nationality was 10-15% of the ruling aristocracy in Byzantium, but among the kings there were also natives of Armenian peasants who achieved the throne in different, not always righteous ways.

The most famous Byzantine kings of Armenian origin:

• Emperor Irakly I. Was in kinship with the Arshakid dynasty, was gifted with military talent, carried out reforms in the administration and troops, restored the power of Byzantium, concluded a mutually beneficial treaty with the Great Bulgaria on economic and military assistance, conducted many military operations during the Iran-Byzantine war, Returned to Jerusalem his main Christian shrine, the Life-Giving Cross (captured earlier by the Persian king).
• Philipp Vardan. He claimed claims to the imperial throne, was exiled to the island of Kefalonia, then Chersonese, where he raised the uprising, seized Constantinople and became emperor with the help of the Khazars. By conviction was a monofelite, which led to a conflict with the Roman church, was blinded by conspirators.
• The Lion The Armenian. He was descended from the Arzruni clan, at the head of the army, repulsed the Bulgarians' attack on Constantinople, displaced the Patriarch of Constantinople Nikifor (815), and convened a local church council, proclaiming a return to the ordinances of the iconoclastic council in Gieria. He was killed during the Christmas service in December 820.
• Biography of Basil I Macedonian is full of turns of fate. By origin a peasant, he spent his childhood with his family in captivity in Bulgaria, then fled to Thrace. Having moved to Constantinople, entered the service in the imperial stables, his beautiful appearance drew the attention of Emperor Michael the 3rd and became his favorite, and later married his mistress. After the removal of an influential imperial relative, Vasily became a co-ruler in 866, after which, having killed the emperor, he took over the throne in 867, having founded a new dynasty. Among his services to Byzantium: the systematization of Byzantine legislation, the expansion of the army, etc. Died from an accident during hunting (886).

• Roman I Lakapin. He also came from the Armenian peasants, moved to Orthodoxy and rose to the head of the Imperial Navy, seized power with cunning and deceit, then gave his daughter for the emperor and became a "vasileopator" (father of the king), and then took the royal throne. His activities were aimed at fighting the aristocracy, who owned large land areas, in favor of small landowners of stratigoths. He became famous as a master of intrigues and conspiracies, but suffered at the hands of the conspirators - his own sons, who arrested him and exiled him to a monastery, where they joined him as a prisoner in a year. He died in 948.
• John the Tzimysh. He came from a noble Armenian family and was a relative of the previous emperor Nicephorus, in whose murder he participated. Becoming the king of Byzantium, actively engaged in charity, building hospitals and distributing property to the poor. His military campaigns took place in the east, the result of which was the return of Syria and Phenicia to Byzantine power. He was poisoned by his first minister Lecapen.

Dynasty of kings who ruled after the destruction of Great Armenia

The great Armenian kings - Artashes I, Tiger II Great - were the rulers of Armenia in the years of its prosperity and wealth. After 428, an era came when the rulers appointed by other states ruled the country. And only since the end of the 9th century the Armenian dynasties came to power:

• Bagratidy (885-1045 gg.);
• Rubenides-Hetumides-Lusignans (1080-1375).

The first representatives of the princely clan of the Bagratids, who united the majority of Armenia under their authority (after the period of the Arabs' stay in power), became the Armenian kings Ashot I and II Iron, Smbat I, Ashot III the Merciful. The last representative of this kind Gagik II was captured and after negotiations with Byzantium renounced the kingdom.

Armenian kings of the Rubenid dynasty: Ruben I, Constantine I, Toros I, Levon I, Toros II, Levon II, Isabella. The Rubenid-Hetumyan dynasty (Hetum I, Levon III, Hetum II, Toros III, Smbat, etc.) broke off on Levon V after an interdynamic marriage, as a result of which power passed to the Frankish kings of Cyprus.

The Rubenides-Lusignan dynasty: Constantine III, IV, Levon VI, Constantine V, Levon VII. In 1375, the state was attacked and destroyed by the Egyptian Mamluks and Sultan of Iconium, and King Levon VII went to a monastery in Paris.