Vaspurakan

Վասպուրական Province of Greater Armenia 189 BC–XIII century Capital Van History  - Artaxias I declaring himself independent 189 BC  - Conqered by Mongols XIII century

Vaspurakan (also transliterated as Vaspuragan in Western Armenian; Armenian: Վասպուրական, (Vaspowrakan) meaning the "noble land" or "land of princes") was the first and biggest province of Greater Armenia, which later became an independent kingdom during the Middle Ages, centered around Lake Van. Located in what is now called eastern Turkey and northwestern Iran, the region is considered to be the cradle of Armenian civilization.

History

Vaspurakan 1788. By unknown French cartographer

Main article: Vaspurakan Kingdom

From IX BC Vaspurakan was part of Urartu. In VI BC it became part of Satrapy of Armenia. From 189 BC it became on of Greater Armenia's provinces. Then it became part of Arsacid Dynasty of Armenia. After 387's division it was included into Persian Armenia. In VIII century it felt under Arab control. Many rebellions took place in Vaspurakan. In 885, within the territory of Kingdom of Armenia (Middle Ages), it became free. 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 Kaputan) in 908. From 908, when Gagik I of Vaspurakan was recognized King of Armenia by Arab Caliph and at first was on their sight, but soon hr regretted and together with Ashot II defeated the Arabs. Soon he was recognized, as the King of Vaspurakan by Ashot II. In 1021 Seneqerim Ardzruni gave Vaspurakan to the Byzantine Empire, receiving Sebastia and surroundings. After Vaspurakan was ceded to the Byzantine Empire, it was conquered by Seljuq Turks. In XIII century part of Vaspurakan was liberated by Zakarids, but was then conquered by the Mongols, and then by the Ottoman Turks. Notable is the Siege of Van of 1915 during the Armenian Genocide.

Armenian troops holding a defense line against Turkish forces in the walled city of Van in May 1915

Cantons

Vapusrakan's territory was 40,870 km² (16,000 sq mi) and was divided into 35 cantons. They usually took the name of the local nakharar (canton chief) that ruled them:

• Aghiovit
• Aghvandrot
• Akeh
• Andzakhidzor
• Antzevasiq - ruled by the Antzevatsi.
• Arberani
• Archishaovit
• Arnoyotn
• Artavanian
• Artashesian
• Artaz
• Atrpatunik
• Bagan
• Bujnunik
• Bogunik
• Darni
• Ervandunik
• Gavityan
• Gazrikan
• Gokhten
• Gukan
• Kirchunik
• Kughanovit
• Mardastan
• Metz Aghbak
• Metznunik
• Nakhichevan
• Rechtuniq - ruled by the Rechtuni.
• Patspatounik
• Palouniq
• Taygirian
• Tchevashrot
• Tornavan
• Tosb
• Varajnuniq - ruled by the Varajnuni.

Sites of Interest

• The old city of Van
• Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross, former Armenian Katholicosate of Aghtamar on the Isle of Aghtamar
• Varagavank, an Armenian monastery on the slopes of Mt. Varag (9 km. east of Van), founded by King Sennacherib-John 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. On April 30, 1915, the Turkish army destroyed the monastery; its ruins are still visible, though.
• The Monastery of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, near Mount Varag
• Naregavank, a destroyed 10th century Armenian monastery where Krikor Naregatsi is buried
• Karmravank, a 10th century Armenian monastery on the shores of Lake Van
• Saint Gregory of Goms monastery, on the souther shores of Lake Van
• Saint Thomas Monastery, near the shores of Lake Van
• Saint Bartholomew Monastery
• The Church of the Holy Cross at Soradir
• Hayots Dzor (now Gürpınar plain), the valley in which the Armenian progenitor Hayk defeated the Assyrian king Bel
• Haykaberd (now Çavuştepe), the castle constructed by Hayk in Hayots Dzor
• Plain of Avarayr
• Saint Thaddeus Monastery
• Saint Stepanos Monastery

Notable People from Vaspurakan

• Khrimian Hayrik
• Aram Manukian

Gallery

• Medieval Armenian cathedrals and monasteries in Vaspurakan
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  The Cathedral of the Holy Cross (10th c.) on Akdamar Island

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  The Monastery of Narek (10th c.) on the shores of Lake Van

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  The Monastery of Varag (11th c.) at the foot of Mount Varag near Van

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  The Monastery of Saint Bartholomew (13th c.)

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  The Saint Thaddeus Monastery (14th c.) in northwestern Iran

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  Saint Stepanos Monastery in northwestern Iran

References

«Վասպուրական» Հայրենակցական միություն http://vaspurakan.blogspot.com/

Bibliography

• Hovannisian, Richard G., ed. (2000)  Armenian Van/Vaspurakan  Historic Armenian Cities and Provinces  Costa Mesa, California: Mazda Publishers  OCLC 44774992 
• Der Nersessian, Sirarpie. Armenia and the Byzantine Empire: a Brief Study of Armenian Art and Civilization. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 1947.