Bagratid Armenia
Armenia, 884 CE–1045. Draft, not yet reviewed
Bagratid Armenia was an independent Armenian state established by Ashot I of the Bagratuni dynasty in the early 880s following nearly two centuries of foreign domination of Greater Armenia under Arab Umayyad and Abbasid rule. The Abbasid Caliphate recognized Ashot as "prince of princes" in 862 and, later on, as king (in 884 or 885). During the reign of Ashot III, Ani became the kingdom's capital and grew into a thriving economic and cultural center. The kingdom was finally taken by Byzantine forces in 1045, after Gagik II continued to resist.
Seat of power: Ani
Rulers
Abas I of Armenia
king of Armenia, 928 CE–953 CE
Abas's reign was largely peaceful, and he focused on rebuilding the war-torn kingdom and developing his capital at Kars. He did not oppose two other rulers who held the title of "King of Armenia" directly; instead he gradually strengthened his position and eventually established supremacy in Armenia and South Caucasus.
Portrait of Abas I of Armenia: Yerevantsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
Kiurike I
king of Armenia, 970 CE–991 CE
Gurgen I Kyurike was the king of Lori and the founder of the Kingdom of Lori. The Kiurikians were dependent on the Bagratids of Ani and received confirmation of their rights from them. He voluntarily abdicated the throne and spent eight years as a monk at Sanahin, where he died.
Portrait of Kiurike I: Yerevantsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
Culture
- Between 961 and 1045, Ani was the capital of the Bagratuni Armenian kingdom.
- The iconic city was often referred to as the "City of 1,001 Churches," though the number was significantly less.
- Among its most notable buildings was the Cathedral of Ani, which is associated with early examples of Gothic architecture.
Picture
Ani is a ruined medieval Armenian city now situated in Turkey's province of Kars, next to the closed border with Armenia.
Image: Engin Tavlı, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
Sources
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.