In the history of Armenia there were both periods of prosperity and formation of the Great Empire, as well as 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 for establishing Christian power in the country.
The article tells about the numerous Armenian dynasties and the emperors of Byzantium 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 old, although its beginnings go back to the era of the fall of the states of Urartu and Assyria, when the kingdom of Arme-Shubria existed (12th century BC), which later became Scythian-Armenian.
The ancient tribes of Armenians came to these areas from the Balkan Peninsula, later in the 7th century. BC e. flies (the ancient name of the Armenians) occupied the territory of the part of Transcaucasia, which previously belonged to the kingdom of Urartu, and assimilated into the local population.
In the 6th c. BC e. they created a sovereign state, then there was a period of its subordination in turn to the Assyrians, the Median kingdom, the Persians, the Syrians,Alexander the Great. For 200 years BC. e. Armenia existed as part of 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 B. C. e. 2 parts again united into a single state. Starting from 63 AD, the Armenian lands were subordinated to the Roman Empire, and in the 3rd century, the Christian religion spread here. After 4 centuries, Great Armenia became dependent on Persia, then in 869 it again gained independence.
Starting from 1080, some territories fall under the rule of the Greeks, others go to Turkey. In 1828, the northern part of Armenia became part of the Russian Empire, then in 1878 parts were annexed along with Kars and Batumi.
Ancient dynasties of Armenian kings
One of the most ancient kings who ruled Armenia was approved for the throne by the Achaemenid kings and were considered their satraps.
Famous dynasties of Armenian kings:
- Yervandids - ruled the country in the period from 401 to 200 years. BC e., until the defeat by the Seleucids: Yervand I and II, Kodoman, Yervand II (again); Mihran, Yervand III, Artavazd, Yervand IV.
- The next in chronology is the dynasty of the kings of Sophena, which arose after the conquest and unification of part of the Armenian lands into the satrapy of Sophena with the capital Armavir (in the Ararat valley). Reigned from 260 BC. e. up to 95. The list of Armenian kings of this dynasty: Sam, Arsham,Xerxes, Zarekh, Mitroborzan I (Artran), Yervand V. Then Sophena was conquered by Tigran the Great and annexed to Great Armenia.
- The most historically famous Artaxiad dynasty ruled the country from 189 BC. e. and up to 1 year old. e. - these are the famous kings Artashes I, Tigran I and Tigran II the Great, Artavazd I and II and others.
- Arshakid dynasty (51-427), founded by Trdat I, brother of the Parthian king Vologez I. At the end of their reign, the royal power was destroyed by the Persians, after which the kings appointed by the Persian authorities began to rule Armenia for many centuries (marzpans) and Byzantium (kuropalates), as well as the ostikans of the Arab caliphs.
Kings of the Great Armenian Empire
The most famous is the Artashesid dynasty of kings of Great Armenia, which came into its own in 189 BC. e. The Armenian king Artashes I came to the throne of Greater Armenia after he was proclaimed by the Seleucid king Antiochus III. Artashes became the founder of the Artashesid dynasty and became famous as a famous reformer and conqueror. He was able to subjugate to Armenia the entire population of the Armenian Highlands and some neighboring regions. 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. e., the capital of the state was moved there. According to medieval legends, Artashes I carried out a very important land reform, delimiting royal, city and communal lands.
The military campaigns of this king weresuccessful and helped to increase the territory of Greater Armenia. Moreover, the king undertook these campaigns in all directions, gradually conquering all neighboring regions. One of the famous campaigns was 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 reign 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 famous for joining the fight against 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. his brother became king (according to some sources, his son), who later received the name 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 during the defeat of the Armenian army. When the message came about the death of the Armenian king Artavazd I, Tigran was able to buy his freedom, giving in return a large territory of land in the region of Kurdistan.
Armenian King Tigran the Great was in power for 40 years, during which Armenia reached an incredible earlier imperial power. His reign began in a favorable period, when the Roman power in this region was overthrown by the Evpatorian king Mithridates (King of Pontus), who was able to secure the entire Black Sea region.
Tigran marries the daughter of MithridatesCleopatra. His entire foreign policy was directed to large-scale military 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, annex the lands of Northern Mesopotamia.
In 83 B. C. e. the Armenian army, in agreement with the Syrian nobility and merchants, invaded Syria, capturing Cilicia and Phoenicia to Northern Palestine. Having subjugated 120 provinces and satrapies, he began to call himself the King of Kings and the Divine, issuing silver coins, which became the best (according to historians) among all minted by Armenian kings (see photo below).
Coins were minted in Antioch and Damascus and depicted Tigran the Great in a 5-pointed 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, his power spread over a vast territory, from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean, from Mesopotamia to the Pontic Alps. The Armenian Empire became politically cohesive, with each of the controlled states paying tribute to it, but at the same time retaining its own laws and the status of an autonomous principality.
In this epoch, Armenia represented a social structure gradually moving towards the emerging elements of feudalism. At the same time, the clan organization was combined with the widespread useslave labor, which involved prisoners captured in neighboring territories during various wars.
Tigran the Great started the construction of his capital Tigranakert (modern territory of Southern Turkey), which he conceived as the political and economic center of the state in which Armenian kings would rule. In order to populate the city with people, he encouraged the emigration of Jews, and also forcibly resettled the inhabitants of the provinces he had devastated, according to some sources, he even forced 12 cities of Greece to move - the total number of immigrants was estimated at 300 thousand.
However, in 72, because of his father-in-law Mithridates, Tigranes entered the war with Rome, which was the beginning of his defeat and the collapse of the Empire of Armenia. The Roman commander Lucullus inflicted a severe defeat on him, tearing away Syria and Phoenicia, besieging the ancient capital of Artaxata. Then, in 66, Parthian troops entered the war, and the king surrendered to the Romans, concluding a hasty peace. For the remaining 11 years, already old and infirm, the Armenian king continued to rule the country as a vassal of Rome.
King Artavazd II
Artavazd became king in 55 BC. e. and was the most educated and learned. This king was fluent in Greek, was known as a connoisseur of literature and even composed tragedies and historical works. True to his alliance with Rome, Artavazd sent a 50,000-strong army to attack the Parthians. However, later he entered into an alliance with them, passing off his sister as the son of the Parthian king Orod.
He ruled the country for 20 years, which passed in peace and prosperity. However, speaking on the side of the Roman rulers, MarkAnthony and Cleopatra, was accused by them of treason. Mark Antony brought the Armenian king Artavazd and his family in chains and gave them to be torn to pieces by Cleopatra, who tried with ruthless torture to find out from them the place where the treasures that the Armenian kings collected were stored. And the army of Anthony at that time plundered the Armenian cities and destroyed the temple of the goddess Anahit. Without knowing anything, Cleopatra ordered to kill the king of Armenia, who was in prison.
The Arshakid dynasty and the birth of Christianity
Arsacids - a dynasty that ruled in Parthia (now Iran) in 250-228 BC. e. This clan was royal for many centuries, it was associated with the events of world history. The ancestor of the Armenian royal branch was Tiridates (Trdat I), who took the throne of Armenia at the end of the 1st century. All this time, endless Roman-Persian wars and conflicts continued.
Trdat I is the first Armenian king who introduced the Christian religion in Armenia. In the 2-3 centuries. this religion became 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 Theophilius and Marcus Aurelius, preaching the Christian doctrine, became popular.
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 the Christian faith here. Due to the fact that his father was the murderer of King Khosrov I (238), who ruled Armenia Trdat IIIthrew Gregory into the dungeon of the royal castle, where he subsequently spent 15 years.
Trdat I later released St. Gregory, who, as a token of forgiveness, cured him of a severe mental illness and christened him and the entire royal court. In 302, Gregory the Illuminator became a bishop and was elected head of the Armenian Christian Church.
In 359, the Perso-Roman war begins, the outcome of which is the defeat of Rome. At this time, Arshak II (345-367) rules on the Armenian throne, who starts a war with Persia, which at first was quite successful for Armenia, but then the Persian king Shalukh captures and imprisons Arshak in prison, where he dies.
At this time, his wife Parandzem was besieged by enemy troops in the Artagers fortress along with 11,000 troops. After long battles, famine and the beginning of an epidemic, the fortress fell, and Parandzem was killed, betraying her to torture.
Her son Pap returns to Armenia and becomes king thanks to the Roman Emperor Vages. The time of his reign (370-374) became a period of restoration of destroyed settlements, restoration of churches and putting state affairs in order. The Armenian king Pap, at the head of the army, defeated the Persians in the Dzirav battle and restored peace in Armenia.
Having cleared the country from 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, carried out some reforms. However, by orderRoman emperor Vages, he was lured to a luxurious feast, where they vilely de alt with a young Armenian patriot. He remained in history as one of the most active Armenian kings.
After the death of the Pope, the kings Varazdat (374-378), Arshak (378-389), Khosrov, Vramshapuh (389-417), Shapur (418-422), Artashes Artashir (422-428) were on the throne.
In 428, the Persians captured Armenia - thus ended the period of greatness and prosperity of the state of Greater Armenia, which was ruled by the famous Armenian kings.
The collapse of Greater Armenia and the resettlement of Armenians
Armenians began to settle in Byzantium since the 4th century due to 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 took place, many princes rushed to Byzantium along with their families and military detachments. They sought to use their military knowledge and talents in the administrative service.
In the same years, there is a mass resettlement of Armenians in the Balkans, Cyprus and Cilicia, North Africa. The tendency to recruit military and bodyguards of Armenian origin in the palace guards in the Byzantine state has existed for a long time. The Armenian cavalry and other military formations were highly valued. Moreover, they were located not only in the capital, but also in other cities (in particular, in Italy and Sicily).
Armenian kings of Byzantium
Many Armenians occupied highmilitary and spiritual positions, engaged in academic activities, teaching in monasteries and universities. Famous artists and architects have won fame. Armenian nobles, being the descendants of ancient royal families, gradually settled from Byzantium throughout Europe, becoming related to noble and royal families.
In the history of Byzantium, more than 30 emperors of Armenian origin have been on the throne. Among them: Mauritius (582-602), Emperor Heraclius I (610-641), Philippic Vardan (711-713), Leo the Armenian (813-820), Basil I the Macedonian (867-886), Roman I Lakapin (920- 944), John Tzimiskes (969-976) and many others.
Famous kings of Byzantium of Armenian origin
According to historical data, in the 11th-12th centuries. 10-15% of the ruling aristocracy in Byzantium had Armenian nationality, however, among the kings there were also immigrants from Armenian peasants who achieved the throne in various, not always righteous ways.
The most famous Byzantine kings of Armenian origin:
- Emperor Heraclius I. He was related to the Arshakid dynasty, was gifted with military talent, carried out reforms in administration and troops, restoring the power of Byzantium, concluded a mutually beneficial agreement with Great Bulgaria on economic and military assistance, conducted many military operations during Iranian-Byzantine war, returned to Jerusalem its main Christian shrine, the Life-Giving Cross (captured earlier by the Persian king).
- Philippic Vardan. He declared claims to the imperial throne, was exiled to the island of Kefalonia, then Chersonesus, where he raised an uprising, withWith the help of the Khazars, they captured Constantinople and became emperor. According to his beliefs, he was a Monothelite, which led to a conflict with the Roman Church, was blinded by conspirators.
- Leo Armenian. He was descended from the Artsruni clan, at the head of the army repulsed the attack of the Bulgarians on Constantinople, deposed the Patriarch of Constantinople Nicephorus (815) and convened a local church council, proclaiming a return to the decisions of the iconoclastic council in Hieria. He was killed during a Christmas service in December 820
- The biography of Basil I the Macedonian is full of twists and turns of fate. A peasant by origin, he spent all his childhood with his family in captivity in Bulgaria, then fled to Thrace. Having moved to Constantinople, he entered the service of the imperial stables, attracted the attention of Emperor Michael III with his beautiful appearance and became his favorite, and later married his mistress. After the removal of an influential imperial relative, Vasily became co-ruler in 866, after which, having killed the emperor, he took the throne in 867, founding a new dynasty. Among his services to Byzantium: the systematization of Byzantine legislation, the expansion of the army, etc. He died from an accident while hunting (886).
- Roman I Lekapen. He also came from Armenian peasants, converted to Orthodoxy and rose to the rank of head of the imperial fleet, seized power with the help of cunning and deceit, then married his daughter to the emperor and became a “vasileopator” (father of the king), and then took the royal throne. His activities were directedto fight against the aristocracy, which owned large land areas, in favor of the small landowners of the stratiotes. He became famous as a master of intrigues and conspiracies, but suffered precisely at the hands of the conspirators - his own sons, who arrested him and exiled him to a monastery, where they themselves joined him a year later as the same prisoners. Died 948
- John Tzimiskes. He came from a noble Armenian family and was a relative of the previous emperor Nicephorus, in whose murder he participated. Having become the king of Byzantium, he actively engaged in charity work, 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 Phoenicia under Byzantine rule. Was poisoned by his first minister, Lecapen.
Dynasties of kings who ruled after the destruction of Great Armenia
The great Armenian kings - Artashes I, Tigris II the Great - were the rulers of Armenia in the years of its prosperity and we alth. After 428, an era began when the country was ruled by rulers appointed by other states. And only from the end of the 9th century did the Armenian dynasties return to power:
- Bagratids (885-1045);
- Rubenides-Hethumids-Lusignans (1080-1375).
The first representatives of the princely family of Bagratids, who united most of Armenia under their rule (after the period of the Arabs in power), were 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-Hethumyan dynasty (Hethum I, Levon III, Hethum II, Toros III, Smbat, etc.) ended on Levon V after an inter-dynastic marriage, as a result of which power passed to the Frankish kings of Cyprus.
Rubenid-Lusignan dynasty: Constantine III, IV, Levon VI, Constantine V, Levon VII. In 1375, the state was attacked and destroyed by the troops of the Egyptian Mamluks and the Sultan of Iconium, and King Levon VII went to a monastery in Paris.
