Medieval Armenia
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Medieval Armeniarefers to the history ofArmeniaduring theMiddle Ages.It followsAncient Armeniaand covers a period of approximately eight centuries, beginning with theMuslim conquest of Armeniain the 7th century. Key events during this period includes the rebirth of anArmenian Kingdomunder theBagratid dynasty,followed by the arrival of theSeljuk Turks.During this period, a portion of the Armenian people migrate toCiliciato seek refuge from invasions, while the remnants in Eastern Armenia see the establishment ofZakarid Armeniaunder theKingdom of Georgia.This period also marks the emergence of theroyal dynastyinArtsakh.
In Cilicia, Armenians establish acrusader state,theArmenian Kingdom of Cilicia,which would be the last fully independent Armenian state throughout the following centuries until the establishment of modern-day Armenia. The arrival of theMongol Empirein the area, followed by the rise and fall of several otherTurko-Mongolconfederations, marks a turning point in the history of the Armenian people, defined by the large influx ofTurkic-speaking peoplesinto their homeland. By the end of the Middle Ages, the notion of an Armenian state is relegated to history, with thewestern portions of historic Armeniaas part of theOttoman Empire,and theeastern portionas part ofSafavid Iran.
Background[edit]
Western Armeniahad been underByzantinecontrol since the partition of theKingdom of Armeniain 387, whileEastern Armeniahad been under the rule of theSassanid Empirestarting in 428. Regardless of religious disputes,[1]many Armenians became successful in the Byzantine Empire and occupied key positions. In Sassanid-occupied Armenia, the people struggled to preserve their Christian religion. This struggle reached its culmination in theBattle of Avarayr.Although the battle was a military defeat, Vartan Mamigonian's successor, Vahan, succeeded in forcing the Persians to grant religious freedom to theChristian Armeniansin theNvarsak Treatyof 484.[2]
Arab conquest[edit]
After the death of the Islamic prophetMuhammadin 632, the Arabs expanded their religion throughout theMiddle East.In 639, with a force of 18,000 warriors,Abd‑er‑RahmantookTaronand sacked the country. In 642, the Muslims tookDvin,slaughtered 12,000 of its inhabitants and carried 35,000 into slavery.[3]PrinceTheodoros Rshtuniorganized resistance and liberated the enslaved Armenians.[4]However, Theodoros eventually accepted Arab rule of Armenia. Thus, in 645, the entirety of Armenia fell under Islamic rule. This period of 200 years was interrupted by a few restricted revolts, which never had a pan-Armenian character. Most petty Armenian families were weakened in favor of the Bagratunis and Artsrunis.
Bagratuni Armenia[edit]
As Islamic power was waning,Ashot Iof the Bagratuni family got more influence in Armenia. He became prince of princes in 861, and after a war against nearby Arab emirs, in 885, he was recognized as King of Armenia by both the Caliph of Baghdad and the Emperor of Constantinople. After more than 450 years of foreign occupation, Armenians finally reasserted their sovereignty in their ancestral lands. Despite Bagratid efforts to control all Armenian noble families, the Artsrunis and Siunis eventually broke off from central rule.Ashot IIItransferred the capital fromKarstoAni,which came to be known as the "city of 1001 churches". Ani became an important cultural and economic center in the whole region. Bagratid Armenia fell in 1045 to the Byzantines and then in 1064 toSeljuk Turks.
Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia[edit]
The Kingdom of Cilicia was founded by theRubeniandynasty, an offshoot of the largerBagratidfamily that at various times held the thrones of Armenia andGeorgia.Their capital was Sis.
Cilicia was a strong ally of the EuropeanCrusaders,and saw itself as a bastion of Christendom in the East. It also served as a focus for Armenian nationalism and culture, since Armenia was under foreign occupation at the time. In the mid-13th century, KingHethoum I of Armeniavoluntarily submitted the country toMongoloverlordship, and tried to encourage other countries to do the same, but was only able to persuade his son-in-law,Bohemond VI of Antioch,who submitted in 1259; however, Antioch was then wiped out in retaliation by the Muslims in 1268. Cilicia remained as a Mongol vassal until it too was destroyed in the mid-14th century by the EgyptianMamluks.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^The Glory of Byzantium | Publications for Educators | Explore & Learn | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- ^ANSC.org - Armenian Network of Student ClubsArchived2007-09-30 at theWayback Machine
- ^Kurk gian, Vahan M.A History of Armenia hosted by The University of Chicago.New York: Armenian General Benevolent Union of America, 1958 pp. 173-185
- ^Kurdoghlian, Mihran (1996).Hayots Badmoutioun (Armenian History), Volume II(in Armenian). Hradaragutiun Azkayin Ousoumnagan Khorhourti, Athens, Greece. pp. 3–7.
