Many details of Armenian history have been neglected and covered due to centuries of foreign domination. For instance, much of the influence of the Armenians on the Byzantine Empire has been concealed first by the Ottomans and then by the Soviets. However, it is known for certain that the contributions of Armenians to the Byzantine state have been more than just merely significant.
“The important role played in the history of Byzantium by that talented minority, the Armenians, has been generally unrecognized,” said historian P. Charanis.
Many Armenians became successful in the Byzantine Empire, even despite Armenia partly being under the empire’s control. Armenian bishops, architects, important military figures, and even emperors became an inseparable aspect of Byzantine Empire life. One out of five Byzantine emperors and empresses was ethnically fully or in part an Armenian.
We now present you with the list of over 20 Byzantine Emperors of Armenian origin in chronological order.
1) Maurice (Latin: Flavius Mauricius Tiberius Augustus, Armenian: Morick Oshakanatsi), reign: (582 – 602 ) A.D.2) Philippikos Bardanes (Armenian: Vardan Pikick), reign: (711– 713) A.D.3) Artavasdos, (Latin: Artabasdos, Armenian: Artavazd), reign: (741 – 743) A.D.4) Leo V the Armenian (Armenian: Levon Artsruni), reign: (813 – 820) A.D4) Leo V the Armenian (Armenian: Levon Artsruni), reign: (813 – 820) A.D
5) Теодора (жена Феофила, императрицы и регента ее сына Михаила III), царствует: (829 — 867) А.Д.
6) Michael III (Armenian from the mothers side), reign: (842 – 876) A.D.7) Basil I (Armenian: Barseg Arsha), reign: (867 – 886) A.D.7) Basil I (Armenian: Barseg Arsha), reign: (867 – 886) A.D.8 ) Leo VI the Philosopher (Armenian: Levon Arshakuni), reign: (886 – 912) A.D.8 ) Leo VI the Philosopher (Armenian: Levon Arshakuni), reign: (886 – 912) A.D.9) Alexander, reign: (912 – 913) A.D.10) Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (“the Purple-born”), reign: (913 – 959) A.D.10) Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (“the Purple-born”), reign: (913 – 959) A.D.
11) Romanos I Lekapenos (Armenian: Romanos Vashtakian), reign: (920 – 944) A.D.
12) Romanos II, reign: (959 – 963) A.D.12) Romanos II, reign: (959 – 963) A.D.13) Nikephoros II Phokas, reign: (963– 969) A.D.14) John I Tzimiskes (Armenian: Hovhannes Chmushkik, born of the Kourkouas clan), reign: (969 – 976) A.D.14) John I Tzimiskes (Armenian: Hovhannes Chmushkik, born of the Kourkouas clan), reign: (969 – 976) A.D.14) John I Tzimiskes (Armenian: Hovhannes Chmushkik, born of the Kourkouas clan), reign: (969 – 976) A.D.15) Basil II the Bulgar-slayer, reign: (976 – 1025) A.D.16) Constantine VIII, reign: (1025 – 1028) A.D.17) Romanos III Argyros, reign: (1028 – 1034) A.D.18) Michael IV the Paphlagonian, reign: (1034 – 1041) A.D.19) Michael V the Caulker, reign: (1041 – 1042) A.D.20) Constantine IX Monomachos, reign: (1042 – 1055) A.D.21) Theodora Porphyrogenita (Empress), reign: (1054 – 1056) A.D.22) Michael VI Stratiotikos, reign: (1056 – 1057) A.D.