Misplaced Pages

#557442

134-551: The Monastery of Tatev has been described as one of the two best-known monasteries in Armenia, along with Noravank in the province of Vayots Dzor . In the 14th and 15th centuries, the monastery hosted one of the most important Armenian medieval universities, the University of Tatev, which contributed to the advancement of science, religion and philosophy, reproduction of books and development of miniature painting . Scholars of

268-476: A khachkar inside the gavit . 1256 - A certain Shatluys donates an orchard to the monastery. 1260 - Bishop Ter-Stepan of Syunik dies and is buried in the monasteries gavit . 1261 - Prince Smbat Orbelian restores the monasteries gavit , perhaps with the aid of Bishop Sargis and architect Siranes. There are two inscriptions on the gavit walls bearing the dates 1232 and 1256: this indicates that there

402-568: A church and connected buildings; there is not trace of this complex left today. 1168 - Bishop Grigoris of Syunik dies and is buried in the monastery. 1170 - Bishop Stepanos, son of Bishop Grigoris, settles in Noravank, choosing it as the seat of the bishopric. Hs is to obtain the Valley of Agarak and fortress of Anapat as donation to the monastery from Mongol Sultan Yelkduz, along with exception from taxes on church property. 1201 - This date

536-722: A daughter of the Bagratid prince Ashot the Great named Miriam and received the title of Ichkhan from the Syunik people – delivered to him by Ashot in name of the Caliph. His successor was his son, Grigor-Sufan II (887–909). The prince of Eastern Syunik, Vasak IV, died around 887 and was followed by his brother Achot who died c. 906. The son of Vasak IV, Sembat, that received the fiefdom from Vayots Dzor. Chahaponk (Jahuk) governed from 887 until sometime after 920. He revolted in 903 against

670-547: A gloomy look. The exterior decoration focus' mainly on the western facade where the entrance to the building is. Framed in two rows of trefoils and an inscription, the semi-circular tympanum of the door is filled with an ornament and with a representation of the Holy Virgin seated on a rug with the Child and flanked by two saints. The ornament also has large letters interlaced by shoots with leaves and flowers. The Holy Virgin

804-524: A large number of villages. The earliest references to its foundation are described in Stepanos Orbelian 's History of the Province of Syunik , where Orbelian describes the accord through which Prince Ashot, son of Prince Philipé of Syunik delineated its borders. Soon after the transfer of the lands, peasants of Tsouraberd (present day Svarants), Tamalek, Aveladasht and other villages, rejected

938-577: A library, refectory , bell tower , mausoleum , as well as other administrative and auxiliary buildings. The church of Saints Paul and Peter was built between 895 and 906. An arched hall was added adjacent to the southern wall of the church in 1043. Soon after in 1087, the church of the Holy Mother of God was added along the northern fortifications. In 1295, the church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, which had been destroyed during an earthquake,

1072-580: A modest church following the Christianization of Armenia in the 4th century. Development of the Tatev Monastery began in the 9th century when it became the seat of the bishop of Syunik. In his History of the Province of Syunik , historian Stepanos Orbelian describes the construction of a new church near the old one in 848 through the financial assistance of Prince Philip of Syunik . With the growth of economic and political importance of

1206-403: A new khachkar (Armenian cross-stone) instead of the khachkar on the head of the pillar, which is still standing today. With the naked and non-professional eye, one can see that the khachkar, imported later, is a foreign element to the general appearance of the pillar with its shape and dimensions. Khachkar looks like a toy placed on a giant pillar, which will fall anywhere. It is obvious that in

1340-658: A pergola as suggested by the background ornament of flowers, fruit and vine leaves. The area is a part of the Gnisheek Prime Butterfly Area and the Noravank Important Bird Area . A wide variety of animals and plants can be found here, such as the Bezoar Goat, Bearded Vulture , Alexanor butterfly, and others. Before the 9th century - According to historian Stepanos Orbelian a church dedicated to St. Pokas stands on

1474-589: A result of interethnic violence. This exodus of Azeri population made Syunik and Armenia, in general, more homogeneous. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Syunik has been a constituent part of the Republic of Armenia. After the independence of Armenia, the 4 rayons of Soviet Syunik were merged during the 1995 administrative reform to form the Syunik Province with the town of Kapan as

SECTION 10

#1732773262558

1608-582: A university that operated between 1390 and 1434, where instructors were educated and trained not only for the province of Syunik , but also for other regions of Armenia. In the beginning of the 1340s, following the decline of the University of Gladzor , Hovhan Vorotnetsi departed from Vayots Dzor , and arriving in Dzghook, Vorotn, he obtained the blessing and patronage of the Orbelian princes to advance

1742-533: Is a monument dedicated to the Holy trinity . It is located to the south of the Cathedral. It comprises a column about eight meters tall crowned with a khachkar -type cross. The column has been dated to the 10th century; the cross is no earlier than the 18th century but its form may be based on an earlier example. Built in the year 906 , this unique structure stands at a total height of 9 meters. What sets Gavazan apart

1876-434: Is an impressive gavit of 1261, decorated with splendid khachkars and with a series of inscribed gravestones in the floor. Note the famous carvings over the outside lintel. The church houses Prince Smbat Orbelian 's mausoleum. The gavit was probably a four-pillar one. In 1321 the building, probably destroyed by an earthquake, was covered with a new roof in the shape of an enormous stone tent with horizontal divisions, imitating

2010-494: Is attributed to its innovative design, particularly its articulated construction at the base of the column. This design allows the monument to maintain a constant angle of 90° to the Earth's surface, ensuring its balance and stability. Over the years, Gavazan has become a symbol of resilience and architectural ingenuity, attracting visitors from around the world to marvel at its unique construction and historical significance. Based on

2144-526: Is decorated with fine geometric carvings. The Holy Mother of God Church or the St. Astvatsatsin Church is located along the northern fortifications of the monastic complex. It was built in 1087 as a second storey to the covered mausoleum near the entrance. It was severely damaged during the earthquake of 1931, but was restored in the late 20th century. The pendulous column or swinging column (Armenian: Գավազան )

2278-412: Is decorated with special splendour. An important role in its decoration is played by the cantilevered stairs that lead to the upper level, with profiled butts to the steps. The doorways are framed with broad rectangular plaitbands, with ledges in the upper part, with columns, fillets and strips of various, mostly geometrical, fine and intricate patterns. Between the outer plathand and the arched framing of

2412-512: Is depicted on three columns of the western part of its rotunda. The picture consisted of relief figures of the Holy Virgin with the Child, sitting on a throne, and two standing men in rich attire, one of them holding a model of the temple. The second church is the Surb Karapet, a cross within square design with restored drum and dome built in 1216–1227, just north of the ruins of the original Surb Karapet, destroyed in an earthquake. The church

2546-458: Is found on a khachkar at the southern entrance of the Church of St. Karapet. 1216 - Bishop Stepanos dies and is buried in the monastery. Father Sargis, his successor, shares the monastery's property with Tatev . 1216-1221 - Prince Liparit Orbelian and Bishop Sargis build a church in the monastery: sources refer to it as the Church of St. Stepanos Noravank (the protomartyr ). 1221 - Bishop Sargis, grandson of Archbishop Stepanos, builds

2680-671: Is identical to the name of the sacred mountain Maratuk in Sason province. The name of the mountain is the supreme oath of the people of Sason. In the 1st millennium BC, the Supreme God of Qajants (Urartu) was also worshiped as the Son of God. In Qajants country the use of a symbol depicting an arrow was also widespread. And most importantly, a huge arrow was placed on the temple of the Son of God. The mythological names of Marduk and Son represent

2814-415: Is its remarkable ability to sway or swing without collapsing, making it the only structure in the complex to have survived the test of time, remaining intact despite centuries of existence. The key purpose of the column is to alert of minor earth tremors and thus giving early warning signals about possible earthquakes. The column returns to its vertical position after it moves. The swaying motion of Gavazan

SECTION 20

#1732773262558

2948-485: Is obligated to provide a "corridor" to Azerbaijan through Syunik and threatened to establish the "corridor" by force if Armenia does not oblige. Prime minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan rejected this, arguing that the ceasefire agreement does not call for a corridor through Syunik but for the general opening of transportation routes between the two countries. Starting on 12 May 2021, Azerbaijani forces crossed several kilometers into Armenian territory in Syunik and occupied

3082-514: Is one of the best preserved in Armenia and is an excellent illustration of olive presses built in the region during the Middle Ages . The school buildings of the Tatev Monastery characterize the architectural style of monastic educational architecture used in the late medieval period. The church of Saints Paul and Peter is dedicated to the two apostles of Christ. It is also referred to as

3216-471: Is sitting in the Oriental way with Child. The pattern of the rug is visible with drooping tassels. In Syunik temples of the thirteenth-fourteenth centuries the cult of the Holy Virgin was widely spread. She was depicted in relief, and many churches were dedicated to her. The pointed tympanum of the twin window over the door is decorated with a unique relief representation of the large-headed and bearded God

3350-406: Is the date on a khachkar inside the refectory-hospice that has now partially collapsed. 1271 - A Noravank inscription mentions the name "hovatun" as being a building of unknown purpose. Before 1273 - An inscription reveals that the "prince of princes" Smbat has donated lands and orchards to the monastery. 1273 - King Smbat dies: he was the elder brother of Prince Tarsaich and is buried in

3484-630: Is the provincial center of Kapan, with a population of 43,190. The other urban centres are Goris, Sisian, Kajaran, Meghri, Agarak and Dastakert. With a population of 2,661, the village of Shinuhayr is the largest rural municipality of Syunik. Syunik is almost entirely populated by ethnic Armenians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church . The regulating body of the church is the Diocese of Syunik , currently headed by Rev. Fr. Zaven Yazichyan. The Saint Gregory Cathedral of Goris

3618-552: Is the seat of the diocese. As a result of the administrative reforms took place on 24 November 2015, 17 June 2016 and 9 June 2017, Syunik is currently divided into 8 municipal communities ( hamaynkner ), of which 5 are urban, and 3 are rural: Near the village of Angeghakot in the Sisian Municipality is located the prehistoric site of Godedzor that goes back to about 4000 BC.This was an important centre for obsidian trade in Syunik obsidian. It had links with

3752-631: The Bolsheviks , successful in the Russian Civil War , pushed deep into the Caucasus. Syunik was one of the last major holdouts of the independent Armenian state whose leaders were eventually expelled by incoming Soviet authorities to Iran. During Sovietization , Syunik became part of Soviet Armenia, while the two other disputed territories, Nakhchivan and Nagorno-Karabakh became part of Soviet Azerbaijan. It then became part of Armenia under

3886-800: The Dominican order and the result of an initiative taken by Pope John XXII to extend the influence of Holy See of Rome onto Asia and to Latinize Greater Armenia . Scholars of Tatev University fought against the proselytizing of the Unitores and sought to diminish their influence on the Armenian Church and people. Following the collapse of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in 1375, scholars of Tatev, led by Grigor Tatevatsi and then his followers, especially Tovma Metsobetsi and Hovhannes Hermonetsi played an important role in convincing

4020-458: The Kura River with Muslims. Chamkor, being near Barda and Ganja , was intended to act as a regional monitoring post. By order of the new Caliph in 862, the imprisoned princes were to be released and allowed to return to their former domains on the condition of becoming Muslim. (However, they all abandoned Islam after their return.) The prince of Western Syunik, Vasak-Gabor, was married to

4154-568: The Last Judgment , while the northern wall illustrates scenes from the Nativity of Jesus . Little of those decorations survive today. The Saint Gregory Church is adjacent to the southern wall of the Sts. Paul and Peter Cathedral. The church was first built between 836 and 848 with the order and financial support of Prince Philipé of Syunik. It was renovated in the 11th century immediately after

Tatev Monastery - Misplaced Pages Continue

4288-724: The Russo-Persian War of 1804–13 , Syunik -along with the rest of Karabakh Khanate - passed into Imperial Russian possession, officially signed in the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813. The khanate was abolished by the Russian government in 1822. The region was divided between the Erivan Governorate , and Baku Governorate (known as Shemakha Governorate until 1859). When the Elisabethpol Governorate

4422-457: The Seljuk campaigns, but was completely destroyed again during the earthquake of 1138. It remained in this condition for more than a century until its reconstruction in 1295. The church of St. Gregory is simple in construction. It does not have a dome. It has three support pillars in its northern and southern walls that bear the arches upon which the inclined roof tiles are installed. Its entrance

4556-709: The Transcaucasian SFSR and part of the Armenian SSR in 1936. Under Soviet rule, Syunik suffered a devastating earthquake in April 1931, leaving 80% of its villages destroyed. A subsequent earthquake hit the region in May during the same year, destroying 27 of 38 villages in the Sisian district. As an administrative unit, modern-day Syunik was divided into the raions of Meghri, Kapan, Goris and Sisian. Despite

4690-490: The 13th–14th centuries the monastery became a residence of Syunik 's bishops and, consequently, a major religious and, later, cultural center of Armenia closely connected with many of the local seats of learning, especially with Gladzor's famed university and library. Noravank was founded in 1105 by Bishop Hovhannes, a former abbot of Vahanavank near the present-day city of Kapan in Syunik . The monastic complex includes

4824-533: The Aghuank and wife of Tarsaich, donates many goods to the monastery. Syunik Province Syunik ( Armenian : Սյունիք , Armenian pronunciation: [sjuˈnikʰ] ) is the southernmost province of Armenia . It is bordered by the Vayots Dzor Province to the north, Azerbaijan 's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic exclave to the west, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran to

4958-793: The Armenian and Tatar populations in the Caucasus, culminating in the Armenian-Tatar massacres . Clashes occurred in Nakhchivan and Sharur-Daralgez uyezdy of the Erevan gubernia and in Zangezur , Shusha and Javanshir uezdy of Elizavetpol gubernia in 1905. According to Armenian sources 128 Armenian and 158 Azerbaijanian villages were "pillaged or destroyed" while the overall estimates of lives lost vary widely, ranging from 3,000 to 10,000, with Muslims suffering higher losses. During these events,

5092-587: The Armenian meliks Later, the Orbelian dynasty , one of whose members wrote an important history of the country, governed Syunik in times of Timur (Tamerlan) as vassals. Between the middle of the 18th century and early in the 19th century, the Syunik was part of the Karabakh khanate of the Safavid Empire . It was also ruled by the Ottomans between 1578 and 1606 and again between 1722 and 1736. By

5226-747: The Armenians of Syunik were massacred "without distinction of sex or age" by Azeri forces, and children were mutilated. Tensions were accelerated with the collapse of the Russian Empire . The region fell under the authority of the Special Transcaucasian Committee of the Russian Provisional Government and subsequently the short-lived Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic . When the TDFR

5360-576: The Bagratid Sembat I , refusing to pay him taxes. Because of this, he was assaulted by the prince of Vaspurakan , Sargis-Ashot. Sembat submitted, was forgiven and married to the sister of the prince of Vaspurakan, receiving the city and district of Nakhchivan , which in 902 was upset with the Kaysites or Qaisids. A few years later, the prince allied with the emir of Sadjid , Yusuf, against Eastern Syunik, which they invaded together. Sembat

5494-414: The Church of St. Karapet as the burial chapel for the family. According to the historian Stepanos Orbelian , the church was built by the will of Liparit Orbelian , founder of the dynasty, and building work lasted seven years, ending in 1228. A khachkar in the west wall of the gavit is dedicated Nazar and Nazlu. 1222 - A memorial to Vasak, who died of a premature death, is inscribed on a khachkar on

Tatev Monastery - Misplaced Pages Continue

5628-641: The Eastern Syunik with the Vayots Dzor, bordered by Vaspurakan. Sahak governed the eastern part until the river Hakar . Babgen governed the district of the Baghk, and Vasak (who died in 922) an indeterminate territory. Nasr, the emir of Azerbaijan , captured territory through perfidy against Babgen and Sahak in Dwin. After the invasion, Sembat unseated Nasr and obtained the freedom of his brothers. Sembat

5762-634: The Father with large almond shaped eyes blessing the Crucifix with his right hand and holding in his left hand the head of John the Baptist , with a dove — the Holy Spirit — above it. In the right corner of the tympanum there is a seraph dove; the space between it and the figure of the Father is filled with an inscription. The side chapel of Surb (Saint) Grigor was added by the architect Siranes to

5896-507: The Gavazan (staff). This column was built in the 10th century following the completion of the Paul and Peter church and has survived numerous invasions and earthquakes relatively unscathed. In the 14th century, fortifications were built to the south, west and north of the monastery with buildings for habitation, administration and other purposes. In the 18th century, additions were made to house

6030-597: The God on the basis of whose worship Christianity arose as a sect in the Semitic environment. The worship of this God among Armenians continued until the Christianization of Armenia, Tatev's column was previously a huge teg statue about 8.5m high, which was set up in a complex dedicated to the worship of the Son of God. Tatev Monastery was a feudal organization. It became a prominent and influential monastic centre soon after its foundation, possessing expansive areas of land and

6164-537: The Tatev University contributed to the preservation of Armenian culture and creed during one of its most turbulent periods in its history. The restoration of the monastery, re-establishing its educational legacy and reviving monastic life at Tatev is one of the main goals of Tatev Revival Program, a part of which is the Wings of Tatev aerial tramway, a cableway from Tatev to the village of Halidzor , which

6298-432: The altar apse is flanked with khachkars and representations of doves in relief. The complex has several surviving khachkars . The most intricate of them all is a 1308 khachkar by Momik. Standing out against the carved background are a large cross over a shield-shaped rosette and salient eight-pointed stars vertically arranged on its sides. The top of the khachkar shows a Deesis scene framed in cinquefoil arches symbolizing

6432-514: The ancient Siunia (or Syunik) dynasty , which ruled Syunik from the first century CE. However, historian Robert Hewsen considered Sisak to be a later eponym. Historian Armen Petrosyan suggested that Syunik is derived from name of the Urartian sun god Shivini/Siwini (itself a borrowing from the Hittites ), noting the similarity between the names and the high number of sun-related placenames in

6566-481: The apprentice loses his foothold and falls into the abyss as he calls upon God to grant him wings, which, in Armenian is: "Ta Tev". Tatev Monastery is located in South-East Armenia , in the area of ancient Armenian Syunik , not far from the city of Goris and 280 km away from Yerevan . The Tatev plateau has been in use since pre-Christian times, hosting a pagan temple. The temple was replaced with

6700-504: The area around Lake Sev in Syunik, precipitating a border crisis between Armenia and Azerbaijan . On 10 November 2021 it was announced the alternate Goris-Kapan highway completely within Armenia's borders was completed. In 1989, the Syunik Province (then part of the Sisian , Goris , Meghri , and Kapan districts in 1930–1995) had a population of 141,501. 66,170 or 46.76% of which was urban, divided into Goris (23,795) and Kapan (42,375), and 75,331 or 53.24% were rural, distributed into

6834-552: The assistance of the Orbelian family. Its influence grew further when, in 1286, the Orbelians assumed control of the monastery, Stepanos Orbelian was consecrated metropolitan and succeeded in reuniting a number of surrounding dioceses within its realm. With the establishment of the university in the 14th century Tatev became a principal centre of Armenian culture. During Timur lane 's campaigns into Syunik (1381–1387), Tatev

SECTION 50

#1732773262558

6968-409: The authorities to repatriate of the supreme patriarchal throne of the Armenian Church from Sis to Etchmiadzin , the original See of Saint Gregory the Illuminator . The effort succeeded in 1441 following the decisions of the National Congress of Etchmiadzin, proving to be one of the most significant events in Armenian history of that century. The prominence of the University began to wane following

7102-424: The authority of the Monastery and began a prolonged struggle against it. Twice the protests transformed into open uprisings and continued, with some interruptions, until 990 when King Vasak of Syunik razed Tsouraberd and dispersed its population . Historians link the uprisings to the Tondrakian Heresy , which appeared in Armenian history at roughly the same time as the peasant uprisings (9th–11th centuries) and which

7236-757: The average temperature is around 22 °C (72 °F), while in winter it may reach down to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F). Its border with Nakhchivan to the west is defined by the Zangezur Mountains. The Meghri mountain ridge at the extreme south of Armenia used to be home to the endangered Caucasian leopard . However, only one was detected by camera trap between August 2006 and April 2007, and no signs of other leopards were found during track surveys conducted over an area of 296.9 km (114.6 sq mi). The local prey base could support 4–10 individuals, but poaching and disturbance caused by livestock breeding, gathering of edible plants and mushrooms, deforestation and human-induced wildfires are so high that they exceed

7370-495: The beginning of the 18th century, Syunik was associated with the Armenian military leader David Bek , who led the liberation campaign of the Armenians of Syunik against Safavid Persia and the invading Ottoman Turks. David Bek started his battles in 1722 with the help of thousands of local Armenian patriots who liberated Syunik. The centre of David Bek's struggle was the Baghaberd Fortress northwest of Kapan and Halidzor Fortress southwest of Kapan where he died in 1728. Following

7504-404: The bishop's residence, cells for the monks, storage, dining hall, kitchen, bakery and winery. Sixteen rectangular classrooms, covered with arched ceilings, were built along the main fortifications. To the northeast of the monastery, outside of the fortifications is the olive press . It has four production rooms including two domed storage rooms and pressing chambers with arched ceilings. This mill

7638-457: The bishopric rights and properties. In 1006, Bishop Hovhannes V succeeded in re-establishing the metropolitan privileges of the diocese. Tatev Monastery has played a notable role in the advancement of cultural life of Armenia . In his History of the Province of Syunik , Stepanos Orbelian describes how the monastery served as the repository for thousands of valuable manuscripts , monastic and official documents and contracts. The Monastery hosted

7772-404: The cantons of the Vayots Dzor and Baghk . Sahak governed the western canton of Syunik, known as Gegharkunik . In 826, Sahak allied with his ancient enemy – Sevada, the Qaisite emir of Manazkert – against the governor of Caliph , but he was defeated and died in Kavakert . His son Grigor-Sufan succeeded him as prince of Western Syunik. In the Eastern region, Philipo died on 10 August 848. He

7906-457: The centre, the aging buildings no longer suited its requirements, and thus Bishop Hovhannes (John) obtained the financial assistance of Prince Ashot of Syunik to construct the new monastery. In the beginning of the 11th century, Tatev hosted around 1,000 monks and a large number of artisans. In 1044, armed forces of neighbouring emirates destroyed the St. Gregory Church and its surrounding buildings, which were reconstructed soon after that. In 1087,

8040-463: The church of S. Karapet, S. Grigor chapel with a vaulted hall, and the church of S. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God). Ruins of various civil buildings and khachkars are found both inside and outside of the compound walls. Noravank was the residence of the Orbelian princes. The architect Siranes and the miniature painter and sculptor Momik worked here in the latter part of the thirteenth and early fourteenth century. The fortress walls surrounding

8174-470: The church of St. Mary was built to the north of the complex. The monastery suffered significant damage during Seljuk invasions in the 12th century and the earthquake in 1136. In 1170, Seljuk Turks plundered the Monastery and burnt some 10,000 manuscripts. The Monastery was rebuilt through the efforts of Bishop Stepanos near the end of the 13th century. The Monastery was granted an exemption from taxes during Mongol rule. It regained its economic strength with

SECTION 60

#1732773262558

8308-420: The church of the Apostles or the cathedral. It's likely that this church was built on the location of the old church and also inherited its name. On the western wall of the Church is preserved the dedicational cross-stone installed by Bishop Hovhannes that provides important historical information regarding the construction of the Church. The Saints Paul and Peter Church is the oldest remaining construction within

8442-418: The church walls were decorated with frescoes upon the initiative of Bishop Hakob Dvinetsi. The work was carried out by French artists invited from Constantinople working alongside local Armenian painters. The faces of the main characters have eastern features, and all inscriptions are in Armenian . The eastern apse is decorated with a throned Christ with His disciples and saints. The western wall portrays

8576-423: The complex of the Monastery. It was built with the initiative of Bishop Hovhannes and the financial assistance of reigning Prince Ashot, his wife Princess Shushan and Princes Grigor Supan and Dzagik. The church is a rectangular basilica that extends from west to east. The apse on the east side contains the altar, and is flanked by two depositories; one on either side. The central dome is supported by two pillars on

8710-409: The complex were built in the 17th–18th centuries. The grandest structure is Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), also called Burtelashen (Burtel's construction) in the honour of Prince Burtel Orbelian, its financier. It is situated to the south-east of the Surb Karapet church. Surb Astvatsatsin was completed in 1339, a masterpiece of the talented sculptor and miniaturist Momik , who designed it, and

8844-404: The death of Grigor Tatevatsi . In spite of the dauntless efforts of its new leaders, the political and economic conditions, compounded with the security complications of the period led Tatev to lose its luster and finally ceased to function following the invasions of Shah Rukh in 1434. In 1995, the monasteries of Tatev, Tatevi Anapat and their adjacent areas of the Vorotan Valley were added to

8978-417: The description of Stepanos Orbelyan (1250–1305), who lived about 400 years after the supposed establishment, the construction of the column is dated 904 - 906 . In their valuable survey Ayvazyan and A. Badishyan note that Tatev 's column is close to similar pre-Christian columns in its form and construction methods. It is known that in the 16th century, Arakel archbishop, who was from Syunik , installed

9112-445: The district of Dzoluk . He then called for help from the Persian revolutionary chief Babak Khorramdin , who married a daughter of the king. After the death of Vasak III in 821, Babak inherited the country that revolted against him. Babak suppressed the revolt but was harassed by both Muslims and Armenians. Finally, he abdicated and the children of Vasak, Philip and Sahak, regained power. Philip controlled over eastern Syunik, including

9246-405: The districts of Sisian (29,768), Goris (17,979), Meghri (14,341), and Kapan (13,243). According to the 2011 official census, Syunik has a population of 141,771 (69,836 men and 71,935 women), forming around 4.7% of the entire population of Armenia. The urban population is 95,170 (67.13%) and the rural is 46,601 (32.87%). The province has 7 urban and 102 rural communities. The largest urban community

9380-430: The east of Syunik, which had been under Armenian control since the First Nagorno-Karabakh War , came under Azerbaijani control, lengthening the province's border with Azerbaijan and creating fears about the province's security. In one border settlement in Syunik, Shurnukh , 12 houses came under the control of Azerbaijan after being found to be located on the Azerbaijani side of the border. Additionally, several parts of

9514-412: The east. It was bordered on the east by Kashatagh Province of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic between 1992 and 2020. The Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia forms its northern border, while Aras River at the south separates Syunik from Iran . Syunik covers an area of 4,506 km (1740 sq. mi.) (15% of total area of Armenia), making it the second-largest province in Armenia after Gegharkunik in terms of

9648-421: The eastern border of Lake Sevan . Gardman's prince (ichkhan) Ketridj or Ketritchn betrayed him and delivered him to Bogha (859). Achot was also seized (859). But Bogha invaded Gardman and imprisoned Kertridj. He then went to Outi where he captured the prince of Sevordiq , Stephannos Kun. The Caliphate tried to control all these regions, and for this reason, Bogha decided to repopulate the city of Chamkor in

9782-453: The eastern side, while on the west, annexes act as abutments . The roof has a two tiered, inclined style covered with large tiles. The inside and outside walls are covered with hewn stones. The walls and dome have narrow windows that allow the nave to be illuminated. The eastern façade contains niches that are crowned with bas-relief portraits of its benefactors, Prince Ashot and Princess Shushan, each bordered by protective snakes. In 930

9916-463: The educational system at Tatev. Vorotnetsi used his experience from Gladzor to revise the educational plan and to organize the admission and classification of students and instructors. This enabled Tatev to be transformed to a deserving university within a short period of time, attracting students from various regions of Greater Armenia and Cilicia . Vorotnetsi organized the university into three departments – study of Armenian and foreign scriptures,

10050-616: The historical Syunik region. At various times, the region of present-day Syunik was also known by other names such as Syunia , Sisakan and Zangezur (or Zangadzor ). The region of Syunik geographically was called Siounia Caucasiana in the 5-6th century by the Ravenna Cosmography . Syunik is located between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan from the west, and districts of Lachin , Qubadli and Zangilan of Azerbaijan from

10184-692: The important highway between Goris and Kapan came under Azerbaijani control. The ninth point of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement that ended the 2020 war stated that "All economic and transport connections in the region shall be unblocked. The Republic of Armenia shall guarantee the security of transport connections between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in order to arrange unobstructed movement of persons, vehicles and cargo in both directions." The president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev insists that this means that Armenia

10318-416: The initial version of the pillar, in place of the khachkar, there was a different emblem compared to the size and nature of the pillar. The column is made of porous bluish basalt, and the current (probably also the former) khachkar is made of tuff rock. Probably, the previous khachkar was more incommeasurable to the appearance of the pillar, which forced Arakel to change it. At the beginning of the 10th century,

10452-538: The khachkar from the top of the Tatev pillar and recall the widespread symbols of the ancient world, then the first thing that will claim to be in the place of the khachkar are the arrow-statues, which archaeologists call phallus type monuments (see figure 1). Starting from the 5th-4th millennia BC, the image of the arrow was widespread in the iconography of the Middle East. Later cuneiform inscriptions testify that it

10586-514: The leading scientific and cultural centre of the time. Its achievements appear even more significant when they are viewed in context with the turbulent political situation and endless devastations of the period, when the University was occasionally forced to migrate to avoid persecutions from invading forces. Tatev University led the effort to combat the influence of the Fratres Unitores in Armenia . The Unitores were an Armenian branch of

10720-412: The main church, where the builder falls down the abyss while completing the final structure of the dome, and during fall he calls "Ta Tev" meaning - give me wings. Folk legend says that he came down unharmed. where an apprentice secretly climbs to the top of its steeple intending to place a cross of his own design. However, the apprentice is spotted by his master during his descent. Shocked by his discovery,

10854-626: The metropolitan authorities of Tatev through the imposition of Pologenia, and Syunik became part of the Diocese of Yerevan. On 26 April 1921, the 2nd Pan-Zangezurian congress, held in Tatev, announced the independence of the Republic of Mountainous Armenia . The state included the regions of Tatev canyon, Sisian and Gndevaz. The city of Goris became the capital of the unrecognized state with Garegin Nzhdeh as its supreme commander. The monastery

10988-429: The modification of the upper part of the pillar and the installation of the khachkar could be presented as a complete column construction. This is exactly the same phenomenon as building a church on the foundation of pre-Christian worshiping places, turning the monuments of inscriptions of the kings of Qajants country into khachkars. The views expressed about the function of the pillar are unfounded and illogical (checking

11122-442: The monastery of Vahanavank , moves to Noravank and helps to found the first nucleus of monks at the monastery. His brother, Prince Hamtum, then comes to the monastery and helps to develop it. The monastery is to become rich: it will own the two fortresses of Anapat and Hraseka, along with twelve farms. 1154 - Bishop Hovhannes dies and is buried in the monastery. According to the historian Stepanos Orbelian , this bishop had founded

11256-581: The monastery site. 800-900 - A church was built: sources call it St. Karapet's or Church of Svag Khoradzor. The name will later be transformed into Noravank (nor = new, vank = monastery), in 1221. 989 - Hovhannes the Scribe copies a Gospel for the priest Stepanos. It is so called Gospel of Etchmiadzin that contains some miniated pages of an earlier date which are some of the oldest and most famous examples of Armenian miniature art. 1105 - According to historian Stepanos Orbelian Bishop Hovhannes, abbot of

11390-477: The monastery. 1273-1290 - Bishop Sargis builds a hospice close to the monastery and donates various goods to it: the proceeds are used to provide pilgrims with food and drink. 1275 - Prince Tarsaich builds a burial chapel for his brother Smbat and building, the work of architect Siranes, will subsequently house all family tombs. 1277 - A khachkar is erected on the tomb of Prince Mahevan, son of Senekerim, King of Syunik. 1285 - Kukor erects khachkar on

11524-438: The monastery. The monastery is best known for its two-storey Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Church, which grants access to the second floor by way of a narrow stone-made staircase jutting out from the face of building. The monastery is sometimes called Noravank at Amaghu, with Amaghu being the name of a small and nowadays abandoned village above the canyon, in order to distinguish it from Bgheno-Noravank , near Goris . In

11658-625: The mountainous region as a part of Soviet Armenia. After the conflict, Garegin Nzhdeh, his soldiers, and many prominent Armenian intellectuals, including leaders of the Republic of Armenia , crossed the border into the neighbouring city of Tabriz in Persia. Thus, Syunik became part of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic in July 1921. Armenian forces eventually secured the region but their efforts were in vain when

11792-399: The northern wall of Surb Karapet church in 1275. The chapel contains more Orbelian family tombs, including a splendid carved lion/human tombstone dated 1300, covering the grave of Elikum son of Prince Tarsayich Orbelian. The modest structure has a rectangular plan, with a semi-circular altar and a vaulted ceiling on a wall arch. The entrance with an arched tympanum is decorated with columns, and

11926-523: The office as prime minister while Nzhdeh became the governor and the general commander. Nzhdeh actively engaged in expelling the 3/5th Azerbaijani population of Zangezur. Between April and July 1921, the Red Army conducted massive military operations in the region, attacking Syunik from the north and east. After months of fierce battles with the Red Army, the Republic of Mountainous Armenia capitulated in July 1921 following Soviet Russia's promises to keep

12060-498: The openings there are representations of doves and sirens with women's crowned heads. Such reliefs were widely used in fourteenth-century Armenian art and in earlier times in architecture, miniatures and works of applied art, on various vessels and bowls. The entrance tympanums are decorated with bas-reliefs showing, on the lower tympanium, the Holy Virgin with the Child and Archangels Gabriel and Michael at her sides, and, on

12194-571: The prince Varaz-Terdat II (of the Persian dynasty Mihrakane of Aghuania) in Morgog. A general sent by the Caliph , Bugha al-Kabir , destroyed Armenia and Aghuania in these years and sent a detachment to Eastern Syunik where was governing Vasak IV with his brother Achot. The people of Syunik were sheltered in the fortress of Balq, but Vasak fled to Kotaiq, and was pursued to the region of Gardman on

12328-931: The province. Many of the forests in Syunik are protected by the government, including the Arevik National Park , the Shikahogh State Reserve , the Boghakar Sanctuary, the Goris Sanctuary, the Plane Grove Sanctuary, the Sev Lake Sanctuary, and the Zangezur Sanctuary. Major water basins include the rivers of Vorotan , Voghji , Sisian , Meghri and Vachagan . Summer temperature can reach up to 40 °C (104 °F), although

12462-402: The provincial capital. Being the republic's southernmost province, it has gained a strategic and economic importance for Armenia. The border with Iran enhanced the export of vital energy resources from Armenia to Iran and other regions. Recently, a new 140-kilometer-long Armenia-Iran pipeline has been opened, projected to supply Armenia with up to 1.1 billion m of gas per year until 2019, when

12596-522: The region's troubled early years in the Soviet Union , it gradually began to recover with much of the area's infrastructure rebuilt and improved. During the Soviet era, Syunik was noted as a source of metal and ore production. However, the region was shaken by the renewal of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh with neighbouring Azerbaijan. In 1987–1989, the remaining Azeri inhabitants fled the region as

12730-412: The region. 1290 - An inscription mentioning the death of the "prince of princes" Tarsaich can be seen at the east entrance of the chapel. 1291 - Amira, grandson of Djurdj, buys an orchard for 4000 pieces of silver and donates it to the monastery. 1292 - The architect-scribe Momik transcribes a beautiful Gospel for the brothers Hovhannes and Tadeos Princess Mina Khatun, daughter of King Djala of

12864-485: The role of abbot. He succeeded in raising the standard of the University to unprecedented heights. During his tenure, Tatev experienced its most dynamic and creative period. Topics of instruction included Armenian literature , interpretation and analysis of the Old and New Testaments, works of the holy fathers, works of Plato , Aristotle , Philo of Alexandria and Porphyry , and their analysis. The University of Tatev became

12998-600: The sites located as far as Lake Urmia in Iran such as Yanik Tepe and Dalma Tepe . The sites of interest in this area include, Around 74% (3,336 km ) of the total area of the province are arable lands , out of which 13.2% (440 km ) are ploughed. The rural population is mainly involved in agriculture and cattle-breeding. The province contributes 6.5% of the annual agricultural product of Armenia. The main crops are grains, dry grains, potatoes and vegetables. The village of Angeghakot has fish farming ponds, while

13132-405: The sound of many horses' stamping with the foot, they must be very close, within visible distance. In short, they are childish explanations. The examples of similar monuments, since prehistoric times show that they mostly had worshiping significance (sometimes they were set up as reminders of memorable historical events). I think that Tatev's column was also religious in its initial significance and

13266-491: The south wall of the gavit . 1223 - A Church of St. Stepanos is consecrated and Prince Bupak donates the village of Aghberis to the monastery to commemorate the occasion. 1223-1261 - A gavit is built in the monastery. 13th century - Khatun, daughter of Khalkhashah, donates 300 pieces of silver and an orchard to the monastery. 1232 - A certain Gorg makes various donations to the monastery. 1240 - This date in on

13400-500: The south. Its capital and largest city is the town of Kapan . The Statistical Committee of Armenia reported its population was 141,771 in the 2011 census, down from 152,684 at the 2001 census. Syunik was one of the 15 provinces of the Kingdom of Armenia . The early Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi connected the name of the province with Sisak , a descendant of the legendary Armenian patriarch Hayk and supposed progenitor of

13534-407: The spiritual-energetic power of clergies, warning of earthquakes or alerting of approaching enemy cavalry). Surely, clergies did not have such spiritual strength to shake the pillar with their thoughts. If the pillar is swung due to an earthquake, it was not a warning, but a fact that an earthquake occurred, which is obvious even to a person far from the pillar. And in order for the column to swing from

13668-417: The study of scriptural arts, and finally, the study of music. The first included the study of humanities and social sciences, philosophy, oration, grammar, literature and history. The second focused on calligraphy , artistic design of books and the painting of miniatures and murals. The third department included ancient music and musicology. Following the death of Vorotnetsi in 1388, Grigor Tatevatsi assumed

13802-468: The target of the supply is expected to rise to 2.3 billion m annually." The new pipeline attracted Armenia's northern neighbor Georgia, seeking to lessen its dependence on energy from Russia. In 2000, an old cemetery was found between the villages of Kornidzor and Khndzoresk near Goris. It was built during the Kara Koyunlu rule. As a result of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War , the territories to

13936-523: The tentative list of World Heritage Sites of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO ). Noravank Noravank ( Armenian : Նորավանք , lit.   ' new monastery ' ) is a 13th-century Armenian monastery, located 122 km from Yerevan in a narrow gorge made by the Amaghu River, near the town of Yeghegnadzor in Armenia . The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs , directly across from

14070-528: The throne sometime later. Sembat, with his three brothers Sahak, Babgen, and Vasak, governed again. Also in Western Syunik, Sahak, Ashot and Vasak, brothers of Grigor-Sufan II, were governing the country. After them the dynasty of Western Syunik became extinct and the territory was subsumed by the Muslims. The eastern part remained divided: Sembat, which had the main title, governed the western part of

14204-558: The tolerance of the leopards. During surveys in 2013–2014, camera traps recorded leopards in 24 locations in southern Armenia, of which 14 are located in the Zangezur Mountains. Inscriptions found in the region around Lake Sevan attributed to King Artaxias I confirm that the historic province of Syunik was part of the Artaxiad Kingdom of Armenia during the 2nd century BC. The first dynasty to rule Syunik

14338-412: The tombs of his brother Palka and his mother Aspi. 1287 - Stepanos Orbelian becomes metropolitan of Syunk . He is one of the most prestigious men of culture and politics in medieval Armenia. He is to leave numerous works of poetry and essays on history. He finally succeeds in uniting the monasteries of Tatev and Noravank. 2nd half of 13th century - A bridge is built to connect the monastery with

14472-418: The total area. Historically, the current territory of the province occupies most of the historic Syunik province of Ancient Armenia. Syunik is a mountainous region, mainly covered with thick green forests. The Zangezur Mountains occupy most of the territory of Syunik. Mount Kaputjugh with a height of 3905 meters (12,812') and Mount Gazanasar with a height of 3829 meters (12,562') are the highest peaks of

14606-470: The upper tympanium, a half-length representation of Christ and figures of the Apostles Peter and Paul. As distinct from the reliefs of Noravank's vestry, these ones are carved on a plain surface, which gives them greater independence. The figures are distinguished by their plasticity of form, softness of modeling, and accentuation of certain details of clothing. A group of the founders of Burtelashen

14740-405: The village of Achanan is home to a poultry farm. Syunik is among the main contributing provinces in the industrial sector of Armenia. It has a share of 17% of the annual total industrial product of Armenia. The economy is of the province is mainly based on the industrial sector, including mining, building materials production and food-processing. The prospect of a uranium mine being exploited by

14874-427: The west façade lead to the entrance into the church/oratory. There is fine relief sculpture over the entrance, depicting Christ flanked by Peter and Paul. Burtelashen is a highly artistic monument reminiscent of the tower-like burial structures of the first years of Christianity in Armenia. It is a memorial church. Its ground floor, rectangular in plan, was a family burial vault ; the floor above, cross-shaped in plan,

15008-417: The wooden roof of the hazarashen —type peasant home. This made the structure quite different from other Armenian monuments of the same kind. The ceiling has four rows of brackets forming stalactite vaulting with a square lighting aperture at the top. A broad protruding girth over the half-columns, the deep niches with khachkars and the low tent-like ceiling almost devoid of decoration give the dimly lit interior

15142-563: Was a memorial temple crowned with a multi-columned rotunda. Burtelashen is the dominant structure in Noravank. The original three-tier composition of the building is based on the increasing height of the tiers and the combination of the heavy bottom with the divided middle and the semi-open top. Accordingly, decoration is more modest at the bottom and richer at the top. Employed as decorative elements are columns, small arches, profiled braces forming crosses of various shapes, medallions, interlaced banding around windows and doors. The western portal

15276-455: Was also his last work. Near the church there is his tomb khachkar, small and modestly decorated, dated the same year. In recent times the fallen roof had been covered with a plain hipped roof. In 1997 the drum and its conical roof was rebuilt, with the form based on existing fragments. However, it has been criticized as being a "fantasy reconstruction". The ground floor contained elaborate tombs of Burtel and his family. Narrow steps projecting from

15410-583: Was also suppressed around the same time. The Tatev bishopric owned 47 villages and received tithes from 677 other villages. It gained such economic power that in 940–950 Bishop Hakob attempted to secede from the Mother See of Etchmiadzin . His separatist dreams were dashed when Catholicos Anania Mokatsi anathematized him. Surrounding regions benefited from Tatev's weakened position, rejected its supremacy and established their own dioceses. In 958, Bishop Vahan (later Catholicos Vahan Syunetsi) recovered some of

15544-406: Was built by the decree of Prince Liparit Orbelian . In 1340 an earthquake destroyed the dome of the church which in 1361 was reconstructed by the architect Siranes. In 1931 the dome was damaged during another earthquake. In 1949, the roof and the walls of the church were repaired. In 1998 the roof and drum was rebuilt with the aid of an Armenian-Canadian family. Forming the western antechamber

15678-482: Was deposed by the Sassanid Empire . Valinak (c. 400–409) was followed by Vasak (409–452). Vasak had two sons: Babik (Bagben), Bakur and a daughter who married Vasak's successor, Varazvahan (452–472). Varazvahan's son Gelehon ruled from 470 to 477, who died in 483. Babik (Bagben) the brother of Varazvahan became the new nakharar in 477. Hadz the brother of Gelehon died on 25 September 482. The Syunik Province

15812-676: Was dissolved in May 1918, Zangezur, Nakhchivan , and Nagorno-Karabakh became heavily contested between the newly formed and short-lived states of the Republic of Armenia and the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic . At the time, Syunik had an Armenian majority of 350,000 and a Muslim population of 180,000. According to Thomas de Waal , the dispute over Syunik resulted in the displacement of region's Caucasian Tatar minority through direct military action by Armenian guerrilla commanders Andranik , Rouben Ter Minassian and later Garegin Nzhdeh . Between 1918 and 1920 Syunik

15946-546: Was established in 1868, the region became part of the Zangezursky Uyezd , with its administration based in the town of Geryusy starting from 1870. According to the official census of the Russian Empire in 1897, the total population of Zangezursky Uyezd was 137,971, with 51.6% of them were Caucasian Tatars and 46,1% were Armenians. The beginning of 20th century saw an outbreak in ethnic tensions between

16080-499: Was followed by his son Grigor of Syunik and Aghuania , who governed until 1166 when the country was conquered by the Seljuq Turks. It was ruled by Seljuks of Hamadan , Atabegs of Azerbaijan , Kingdom of Georgia , Khwarezmshahs , Ilkhanate , Chupanids , Jalayirids , Kara Koyunlu , Timurid Empire and Aq Qoyunlu successively before Safavid rule. It mostly had autonomous rule and was for some periods fully independent under

16214-410: Was followed by his son Vasak, and Sahak in turn by his son Sembat. Vasak received the royal title from the Muslims at the end of his reign, which lasted until 963. The throne was inherited by his nephew Sembat (963–998) who was recognized as king by the emirs of Tauris and of Arran . He was married to the princess of Aghuania, Chahandoukht . At his death, he was followed by Vasak (c. 998–1019). Vasak

16348-537: Was included in the short-lived Republic of Armenia . After the Sovietization of Armenia, Syunik became the main centre of the resistance against the Bolsheviks, thus becoming part of the unrecognized Republic of Mountainous Armenia . The city of Goris became the capital of the unrecognized state, and Garegin Nzhdeh was chosen as prime minister and minister of defence. Later, in July, Simon Vratsian took

16482-511: Was later governed by Vahan (c. 570), Philip (Philipo, c. 580), Stephen (Stephanos, c. 590–597), Sahak (Isaac, c. 597) and Grigor (Gregory, until 640). A dynasty was formed, governed by a branch of the Bagratuni , with minor vassal princes from one or more previous dynasties. Vasak III (c. 800) suffered an assault from the emir of Manazkert , Sevada. He established a garrison in Chalat , in

16616-399: Was looted, burnt, and dispossessed of a significant portion of its territories. The Monastery received an additional blow during Shah Rukh's invasion in 1434. The monastery was reborn in the 17th and 18th centuries; its structures restored and new ones were added. It was looted again during the incursions of Persian forces led by Aga Mahmet Khan in 1796. In 1836, Czarist Russia put an end to

16750-594: Was opened in October 2010. It was included in the Guinness World Records as world's "longest non-stop double track cable car." According to tradition, Tatev Monastery is named after Eustateus, a disciple of St. Thaddeus the Apostle , who preached and was martyred in this region. His name has evolved to Tatev. Folk etymology includes a legend telling of an event that is tied to the construction of

16884-426: Was previously another building on the site, and its stones were used for the gavit . In this same year, Prince Smbat donates various goods to the monastery for the salvation of the soul of his brother, Prince Burtel. Near the khachkar in the gavit there is another, erected in memory of Burtel, son of Elikum, grandson of Liparit. Another khachkar recalls Burtel, son of "prince of princes" Smbat. 1270-1290 - This

17018-441: Was replaced with a new one through the initiative of then bishop Stepanos Orbelian . In 1787, the mausoleum of the Armenian theologian Gregory of Tatev was built adjacent to the western wall of the Church of Saint Gregory and by the end of 19th century a vestibule and a belfry were added at the western entrance of the church of Saints Paul and Peter. Aside from the buildings, the monastery boasts an upright pendulum , known as

17152-416: Was seriously damaged after an earthquake in 1931 , the dome of the Sts. Paul and Peter church and the bell tower were destroyed. In the latter years the Sts. Paul and Peter church was reconstructed, but the bell tower remains destroyed up to today. The fortified Tatev monastery consists of three churches - Saints Paul and Peter Church, Saint Gregory the Illuminator's Church, and the Holy Mother of God Church,

17286-431: Was set up in pre-Christian times. The top part of it was modified, a khachkar was erected on it, it was turned into a Christian structure and with that the original meaning of the structure was obscured and forgotten. It is very likely that the top part of the column fell and broke during the devastating Moz earthquake in the 8th century and caused the top of the column to be modified and Christianized. If we mentally remove

17420-516: Was sheltered in the fortress of Erendchak (today Alinja , northeast of Nakhchivan) and Yusuf remained owner of Eastern Syunik. Sembat requested refuge from his brother-in-law Khatchik-Gagik , which was granted. In the same year (909), the prince of Western Syunik, Grigor Sufan II, submitted to the emir Yusuf in Dwin . Only Byzantine movements and the withdrawal of the Sadjids permitted him to recover

17554-495: Was succeeded by three children ( Babgen , Vasak-Ichkhanik and Achot ) that ruled jointly. Babgen fought with Grigor-Sufan and killed him (sometime in 849–851) but Babgen died shortly after (851) and Vasak-Ichkhanik (Vasak IV) followed him. Vasak-Ichkhanik had peaceful relations with Vasak-Gabor , who had ascended to the throne of Western Syunik, replacing his father Grigor-Sufan. Nerseh Pilippean , brother of Babgen, directed (822–23) an expedition to Aghuania defeating and killing

17688-489: Was succeeded by two nephews (the children of his sister and a Prince Achot) called Sembat and Grigor (1019–1084). During his periods Syunik was vassal of Great Seljuk Empire . Grigor was married with the princess Chahandoukht, daughter of Sevada of Aghuania . The only successor to the two princes, was a daughter of Grigor's called Chahandoukht . Rule passed to the prince of Aghuania, Seneqerim Ioan who governed both territories from 1084 until his death in 1105. Seneqerim Ioan

17822-811: Was the Siunia dynasty , beginning in the 1st century. The first known nakharar ruler was Valinak Siak (c. 330) and his successor was his brother Andok or Andovk (Antiochus, c. 340). In 379, Babik (Bagben) the son of Andok, was re-established as a nakharar by the Mamikonian family. Babik had a sister called Pharantzem who had married the Arsacid Prince Gnel , nephew of the Armenian King Arsaces II (Arshak II) and later married Arsaces II as her second husband. Babik's rule lasted for less than ten years and by about 386 or 387, Dara

17956-503: Was the ideogram of an adverb in the name of Marduk , the eldest son of the Armenian God. Marduk was worshiped as the Son of God and was the supreme God of Babylon . Marduk was always represented on the momuments of Qajants (2nd millennium BC) with the image of a dart on a bagin or only a dart. One of Marduk's titles is marked with a symbol depicting a cross. Marduk is one of about 70 names of Marduk attested in cuneiform sources, which

#557442