Johannes II, King of Vaspurakan

Último Rey de Vaspurakan (1003-1021), luego de lo cual Vaspurakan pasa a ser una provincia del Imperio de Bizancio.

Vaspurakan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Kingdom of Vaspurakan, 908-1021

The Isle of Aghtamar, the residence of King Gagik I (908-943/944)Vaspurakan (also transliterated as Vasbouragan in Western Armenian; Armenian: Վասպուրական, meaning the "noble land" or "land of princes"[1]%29 was a province and then kingdom of Greater Armenia during the Middle Ages centered around Lake Van. The region is considered to be the cradle of Armenian civilization.[1] 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 Kaputa) in 908. During this time they were under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Ani. In contrast to the Armenian Vaspourakan, Bagratouni Armenia continued to energetically fight invading forces. In 1021, the Turanians suffered a heavy defeat against the Armenian army, led by Vasak Pahlavouni, who died during the battle.[2]

Vaspurakan was elevated to kingdom status in 908. It was annexed by the Byzantine Empire in 1021 and became known as the province of Basprakania or Media. [3] In about 1050 the whole province of Basprakania was merged with that of Taron.

The kingdom of Vaspurakan had no specific capital, the court moving as the king transferred his residence from place to place – Van, Ostan/Vostan (modern Gevaş), and so on.[4]

Site of interest

Varagavank, an Armenian monastery on the slopes of Mt. Varag (9 km. east of Van), founded by King Senekerim early in his reign (1003-1024). It became the richest and most celebrated monastery of the Lake Van area. Here, Khrimian Hayrik founded Arciv Vaspurakani (The Eagle of Vaspurakan), the first newspaper ever printed in Armenia. The archbishop of Van resided here until the late nineteenth century.[4] On April 30, 1915, the Turkish army destroyed the monastery; its ruins are still visible, though.

---

Artsruni (Armenian: Արծրունի; also transliterated as Ardzruni) was an ancient Armenian noble family that claimed descent from Sennacherib, King of Assyria (705 BC–681 BC). Although it mirrors the Bagratuni claim of Davidic descent and the Mamikonian claim of descent from the royal Han Dynasty, it is usually interpreted as a piece of genealogical mythology. The origin of this claim is attributed to Moses of Chorene according to whom Sennacherib's sons fled to Armenia after murdering him and founded the clans of the Artsruni and Gnuni. Chorene in turn was in all likelihood inspired by Biblical tradition:

“ "And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adramelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia, and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead." (Isaiah XXXVII, 38)[1] ”

Genealogist and historian Cyril Toumanoff favors an Orontid origin of the Artsruni family.[2] Professor James Russell proposed the idea that the Artsrunis derived their name from the Urartian word artsibini (eagle) which survived in Armenian as artsiv (արծիվ). The eagle was a totemic animal for the Artsrunis and in a legend the progenitor of the Artsrunis is said to have been abandoned as a child but rescued by an eagle.[3]

The first attested member of the family is thought to be Mithrobarzanes in 69 B.C, the viceroy of Tigranes the Great in Sophene.[2] During the reign of the Arshakuni, the family ruled the princely estates of Greater and Lesser Aghbak in Vaspurakan, southeast of Lake Van, gradually annexing the surrounding territory.

In the middle of the 4th century the family was deposed. Chavash survived, and recovered power. In 369 the state was led by Merujan Artsruni who guided Persian troops to Armenia and defeated the General (sparapet) Mamikonian. The latter recovered power soon after, however, and Merujan was killed.

Around 772 the Artsruni presided over the families of Amatuni, Rshtuni, Teruni of Dariunq (before a possession of the Bagratuni) and ruled the regions of Maku, Artaz, Great Zab Valley and Van river. In 908 they forged the principality of Vaspurakan.

In the beginning of the 11th century the Artsruni settled westwards in Cappadocia, retreating from eastern invaders. In 1021 Senekerim Artsruni was given Amasia (?), Sebaste and Evdokia as fiefdom from the Byzantine emperor.[4]

---

Was the sixth and last King of Vaspurakan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senekerim-Hovhannes_Artsruni

6º e último rei de Vaspuracã, Arménia entre 1003 e 1021 e Senhor de Rechtuniq. Foi igualmente rei de Sebaste em 1021.