Armenia is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with a rich and diverse history that spans millennia. One of the most remarkable aspects of Armenian history is the existence of five royal dynasties that ruled the country from the 6th century BC to the 14th century AD. These dynasties were the Yervandian, the Artashesian, the Arshakuni, the Bagratuni, and the Rubinian. Each of these dynasties had its achievements, challenges, and legacy, and contributed to the shaping of Armenian identity and culture.
The Yervandian Dynasty (585 BC–200 BC)
The Yervandian dynasty was the first royal dynasty of Armenia, which emerged in the 9th century BC. The Yervandians claimed descent from the legendary patriarch Hayk, who was said to be a great-grandson of Noah. The Yervandians ruled over a large territory that stretched from the Caucasus to the Mediterranean and established friendly relations with the neighboring powers of Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. The most famous Yervandian king was Yervand III, who fought against the Median Empire and allied with Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. The Yervandian dynasty ended with the death of Orontes IV, who was defeated by the Seleucid king Antiochus III in 200 BC.
The Artashesian Dynasty (189 BC–31 AD)
The Artashesian dynasty was the second royal dynasty of Armenia, which was founded by Artashes I, a former general of the Seleucid Empire. Artashes I rebelled against the Seleucids and declared himself king of Armenia in 189 BC, with the support of the Roman Republic. He consolidated his power by expanding his domain and building a new capital, Artashat. He was succeeded by his son, Artavasdes I, who continued his father’s policies and strengthened the alliance with Rome. The most illustrious Artashesian king was Tigranes II, also known as Tigranes the Great, who ruled from 95 BC to 55 BC. He transformed Armenia into a regional superpower, conquering lands from Syria to Mesopotamia, and creating a multicultural empire. He also resisted the invasions of the Roman general Lucullus and formed a marriage alliance with Cleopatra of Pont. The Artashesian dynasty declined after the death of Artavasdes II, who was captured by the Roman general Mark Antony in 34 BC. The last Artashesian king was Artaxias II, who was deposed by the Roman emperor Augustus in 31 AD.
The Arshakuni Dynasty (66 AD–428 AD)
The Arshakuni dynasty was the third royal dynasty of Armenia, which was established by Tiridates I, a Parthian prince who was appointed as king of Armenia by the Roman emperor Nero in 66 AD. Tiridates III converted to Christianity in 301 AD, making Armenia the first state to adopt Christianity as its official religion. He was followed by his son, Khosrov I, who reformed the legal system and the army and built many churches and monasteries. Tigranes IV, who ruled from 374 AD to 387 AD. He defended Armenia against the invasions of the Sassanid Empire and the Huns and promoted the development of Armenian literature and culture. He also married his daughter, Khosrovidukht, to the Georgian king Vakhtang I, creating a lasting bond between the two nations. The Arshakuni dynasty ended with the partition of Armenia between the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanid Empire in 428 AD.
The Bagratuni Dynasty (885 AD–1045 AD)
The Bagratuni dynasty was the fourth royal dynasty of Armenia, which was founded by Ashot I, a descendant of the ancient noble family of the Bagratuni. Ashot I was recognized as king of Armenia by the Abbasid Caliphate and the Byzantine Empire in 885 AD, after a long period of anarchy and foreign domination. He restored the unity and sovereignty of Armenia and moved his capital to Ani, which became a flourishing center of trade, culture, and art. He was succeeded by his son, Smbat I, who faced the invasions of the Sajid Emirate and the Byzantine Empire and sought the protection of the Roman Papacy. The most eminent Bagratuni king was Gagik I, who ruled from 989 AD to 1020 AD. He expanded his realm and built many magnificent monuments, such as the Cathedral of Ani and the Church of the Holy Cross on Aghtamar Island. He also patronized the famous Armenian historian, philosopher, and mathematician, Anania Shirakatsi. The Bagratuni dynasty collapsed with the fall of Ani to the Byzantine Empire in 1045 AD.
The Rubinian Dynasty (1080 AD–1375 AD)
The Rubinian dynasty was the fifth and final royal dynasty of Armenia, which originated from the noble family of the Rubinians, who were vassals of the Bagratuni kings. The Rubinians fled to Cilicia, a region on the Mediterranean coast after the Seljuk Turks invaded Armenia in the 11th century. They established a principality there, which later became a kingdom under Levon I, who was crowned as king of Armenia by the Crusaders and the Papacy in 1198 AD. Levon I made his capital at Sis and forged alliances with the Crusader states, the Mongol Empire, and the Mamluk Sultanate. He was followed by his daughter, Zabel, who married the prince, Hethum I, and initiated a period of cultural and diplomatic exchange between Armenia and Europe. The most illustrious Rubinian king was Levon II, who ruled from 1270 AD to 1289 AD. He reformed the administration and the judiciary and promoted the education and welfare of his subjects. He also supported the Armenian Church and the arts and commissioned the famous illuminated manuscript, the Zeytun Gospel. The Rubinian dynasty ended with the death of Levon V in 1375 AD.
The five royal dynasties of Armenia were the Yervandian, the Artashesian, the Arshakuni, the Bagratuni, and the Rubinian. Each of these dynasties ruled over different periods and regions of Armenian history and faced different challenges and opportunities. Each of these dynasties also left behind a legacy of achievements and contributions, which shaped the Armenian identity and culture. The five royal dynasties of Armenia are a testament to the resilience and diversity of the Armenian people, who have survived and thrived throughout the centuries.
Sources:
- List of Armenian monarchs – Wikipedia
- Armenian nobility – Wikipedia
- List of Armenian monarchs and presidents – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Armenian Flag, Armenian coat of arms – Republic of Armenia (armenica.org)
- Bagratid Dynasty | Middle Ages, Armenia, Byzantium | Britannica
Read Also:
- List of Armenian monarchs – Wikipedia
- List of Armenian monarchs – Wikipedia
- List of Armenian monarchs – Wikipedia
- Bagratid Dynasty | Middle Ages, Armenia, Byzantium | Britannica
- List of Armenian monarchs – Wikipedia
