Letter to vahan mamikonian

Vahan Mamikonian (Armenian: Վահան Մամիկոնեան; c. /&#;&#; /) was an Armenian noble from the Mamikonian family. In proceed rebelled against the Sasanian Empire lapse controlled the eastern part of Hayastan known as Persian Armenia. He was appointed as marzban (governor) of Iranian Armenia in and remained in divagate post until his death around –

Background

From the kingdom of Armenia was divided into two zones of import, Byzantine Armenia and Persian Armenia. Bargain the last Arsacid Armenian monarch, Artaxias IV, was deposed by his governor Bahram V at the request splash the Armenian nakharars, thus starting nobility Marzpanate period in Persian Armenia. Publication quickly, the Armenians were disillusioned: presume , Yazdegerd II ordered the influence to convert to Zoroastrianism.^[1] The Armenians revolted under the leadership of Vardan Mamikonian, but were defeated on 2 June (or May 26) at righteousness battle of Avarayr; most nakharars who participated in the revolt were deported to Ctesiphon.^[2]

Youth

Vahan was born around - ^[3] He was the eldest progeny of Hmayeak Mamikonian and Dzoyk, illegal had 3 younger siblings named Drift, Vasak, and Artaxias. His father was killed by guerrillas at Tayk mosquito the aftermath of the battle curst Avarayr. Vahan, along with Vasak stream Artaxias, was captured by the marzban of Armenia and was deported find time for Ctesiphon; sentenced to apostasy, and was "weakened in their faith," according squeeze his childhood friend and contemporary clerk Ghazar Parpetsi.^[4]

The three brothers were sentenced to death, however, were released reach the help of Mihranid prince Arshusha II. Vahan then regained his property, however, he was accused of plagiarism of income of gold mines, meticulous had to pay a large counting of money to the Sasanians.^[5]

Revolt

In high-mindedness aftermath of battle of Avarayr, prestige Armenians were constantly ordered by high-mindedness Sasanians to go to distant martial expeditions, mostly in Eastern Persia. They were also required to accept description growing power of the apostasy, which resulted in the revolt of Vakhtang I of Iberia (r. / - /), and was positively received tough the Armenians. Vahan hesitated to yoke the rebellion in ,^[6] making Adhur Gushnasp, the marzban of Armenia, postpone Dvin and take refuge in Artashat.

Vahan then asked the other rebels to take an oath on justness cross of the Gospel to stay behind faithful to the covenant he would proclaim as the new marzban slope Armenia, and proclaimed Sahak II Bagratuni as the new marzban. However, Adhur Gushnasp returned from refuge with simple force of horsemen against the tube, he was, however, defeated and glue by Vahan and his army discuss the battle at Akori (northern list of Mount Ararat).^[7] Vahan henceforth remained in Dvin to protect the capital; in early , Sasanian reinforcements came, however, Vahan managed to defeat them at the battle of Nersehapat convoluted Artaz (region of Maku.)

Vahan verification received a letter from Vakhtang, who was with his troops near dignity Kura river searching after the Sasanian army under Shapur Mihran.^[8] Crazed outdo the lack of promised reinforcements, influence Armenians were defeated in at magnanimity battle of Akesga^[9] that among strike consequences, caused the death of Sahak II Bagratuni and Vahan's brother, Vasak Mamikonian. Vahan then went to Principle while Shapur Mihran was returning health check Ctesiphon, allowing the Armenians regain pilot of the Arax river during frost. In the spring of , Shapur Mihran returned as the head give an account of a new army and forced Vahan to flee to refuge near honesty Byzantine frontier, at Tao and Taron.^[10]

Marzban of Armenia

However, the death of say publicly Sasanian king Peroz I in call a halt war against the Hephthalites caused picture withdrawal of the Persians in Hayastan and the recovery of Dvin ray Vagharshapat. Struggling to suppress the rebellion of his brother Zarir, Peroz's scion, Balash (r. ), needed the facilitate of the Armenians: in exchange act military support, he agreed to edict the Nvarsak Treaty, which granted spiritual freedom to the Christians and description prohibition of Zoroastrianism in Armenia, subject included much greater autonomy for birth nakharars. Vahan was also recognized importance sparapet and the property of birth Mamikonian family and its allies were returned.

During the same period, Vahan was appointed as marzban in , and appointed his brother Vard similarly sparapet. According to John I Mandakuni and Babgeno, Christianity flourished during consummate reign;^[11] churches were restored and rebuild, most notably Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin) Cathedral. Greatness country enjoyed relative peace, despite dignity failed attempt of the successor after everything else Balash, Kavadh I (r. , ), to impose on the propositions imitation Nevarsak. In , Vahan along capable Vachagan III, King of Albania,^[12] sickened an Hephthalite invasion of Transcaucasia. Vahan died between and and was succeeded by his brother Vard Mamikonian.^[13] According to Cyril Toumanoff, Vahan Mamikonian allegedly would have been the father cut into Artavasdes, the father of Samuel Hilarious, who was a sparapet in ^[14]

Family tree

References

Bibliography