The Armenian King Pap and His Policy: A Brief Overview

King Pap of Armenia, a ruler whose reign was marked by significant reforms and bold policies, ascended the throne as a successor to his father’s legacy. Like Arshak II, he was determined to strengthen royal power and elevate the welfare of his kingdom. This article provides a brief overview of King Pap’s policies and their impact on Armenia.

Strengthening the Military

One of King Pap’s notable achievements was the dramatic expansion of the royal cavalry. Under his rule, the cavalry grew from 10,000 to an impressive 90,000 men. This formidable force played a crucial role in maintaining order and defending the kingdom against external threats.

Economic and Construction Initiatives

King Pap was committed to improving the country’s welfare. He initiated various construction projects and, with the support of Mushegh Mamikonyan and the newly formed army, successfully suppressed rebellious nakharars (noblemen) and reasserted control over outlying areas.

Church Reforms

In the ongoing struggle between royal authority and the nakharars, the Armenian Church had emerged as a powerful independent entity. The hereditary nature of episcopal positions and vast land holdings made the church a formidable force. To curb its influence, King Pap implemented decisive measures:

• Deprivation of Hereditary Rights: He stripped the Grigorids of their hereditary right to the archbishopric, a position they had held for over 70 years.
• Breaking Ties with Rome: Pap severed the Armenian Church’s connections with the Roman Empire, leading to the church’s independence. The head of the Armenian Church was henceforth known as the Catholicos.
• Confiscation of Church Lands: Five-sevenths of the church’s lands were confiscated, and heavy taxes and duties for peasants, including the church tithe tax, were abolished. This dealt a significant blow to the church’s material wealth.
• Monastic Reforms: Pap closed most monasteries, forced monks to work, and reduced the number of clergy, further weakening the church’s power.

Political Maneuvering

Despite ascending to power with Roman support, King Pap maintained close relations with Shapur II of Persia. Through astute political maneuvering, he sought to strengthen Armenia’s independence, balancing relations between the two great powers of the time.

Downfall and Aftermath

King Pap’s policies, particularly his church reforms, sparked sharp discontent among the nakharars. With their assistance, Pap was assassinated by the Romans in 374. His death reignited the struggle between Rome and Persia for control over Armenia. The nakharars played an active role in this conflict, which ultimately led to the division of Armenia between the two empires in the treaty of 387.

Division of Armenia

The treaty resulted in the annexation of Armenia’s outlying areas by Rome and Persia. The remaining “Middle Country” was also divided, with vassal kings ruling under the influence of the Roman Empire and Persia. Royal power persisted in Roman Armenia until 391 and in Persian Armenia until 428, after which control passed into the hands of the nakharars, who relied on foreign rule.

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King Pap’s reign was a pivotal period in Armenian history, marked by significant reforms and political maneuvering. His efforts to strengthen royal power and reduce the influence of the church left a lasting impact on the kingdom, shaping the course of its future.

Artatsolum

Source: “World History” Volume 1. edited by Yu. P. Frantsev, State Publishing House of Political Literature, 1953