Vaspurakan
Vaspurakan was a province and then kingdom of
Greater Armenia during the
Middle Ages. During most of its history it was ruled by the
Ardzruni dynasty, who first managed to create a principality in the area. At its greatest extension Vaspurakan comprised the lands between
Lake Van and
Lake Urmia (also known as
Kaputa) in
908. During this time they were under the seniority of the Kingdom of
Ani.
Vaspurakan was elevated to
kingdom status in
937. It was annexed by the
Byzantine Empire on
1021.
*
Hamazasp II, Prince (
800-
836). Married to a daughter of
Ashot Msaker 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).
*
Safi, 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
Sebaste (1021). Brother of Gurgen Khatchik.
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 Senequerib Ioan also had several children: David, Atom, Abushal and Constantine. 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.
Vapusrakan was divided into 35 cantons. They usually took the name of the local
nashrakar (canton chief) that ruled them:
*
Aghiovit*
Aghvandrot*
Akeh*
Andzakhidzor*
Antzevasiq - ruled by the
Antzevatsi.
*
Arberani*
Archishaovit*
Arnoyotn*
Artavanian*
Artashesian*
Artaz*
Atrpatunik*
Bagan*
Bujnunik*
Bogunik*
Darni*
Ervandunik*
Gavityan*
Gazrikan*
Gokhten*
Gukan*
Kirchunik*
Kughanovit*
Mardastan*
Metz Aghbak*
Metznunik*
Nakhichevan*
Rechtuniq - ruled by the
Rechtuni.
*
Patspatounik*
Palouniq*
Taygirian*
Tchevashrot*
Tornavan*
Tosb*
Varajnuniq - ruled by the Varajnuni.
* Der Nersessian, Sirarpie.
Armenia and the Byzantine Empire: a Brief Study of Armenian Art and Civilization. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
1947.
