Vahan I Mamikonian
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| Vahan II Mamikonian Վահան Ա Մամիկոնյան | |
|---|---|
 Artwork of Vahan II | |
| Predecessor | Shapur of Ray |
| Successor | Vard Mamikonian |
| Born | 440-445 |
| Died | 503-510 |
| House | House of Mamikonian |
| Father | Hmayeak Mamikonian |
| Mother | Dzoyk Arçrouni |
Vahan II Mamikonian (Armenian: Վահան Ա Մամիկոնյան) (born between 440-445 and died between 503-510) was an Armenian nobleman from the Mamikonian family. In 481 he rebelled against the Sasanian Empire that controlled the eastern part of Armenia. He was appointed marzban (governor) of Persian Armenia in 485, and would remain that until his death around 503-510.
Background
Since 387, the kingdom of Armenia was divided into two zones of influence, Byzantine Armenia and Persian Armenia. In addition, in 428, the the last Arsacid monarch, Artaxias IV, was desposed by his overlord Bahram V at the request of the Armenian Nakharar's, thus inaugurating the Marzpanate period in Persian Armenia. Very quickly, the Armenians disillusioned: in 449, Yazdegerd II ordered the nobility to convert to Zoroastrianism.[1] The Armenians revolted under the leadership of Vardan Mamikonian, but were defeated on 2 June 451 (or May 26 ) at the battle of Avarayr; most Nakharar's who participated in the revolt were deported to Ctesiphon.[2]
Biography
Youth
Vahan was born around 440 - 445.[3] He was the eldest son of Hmayeak Mamikonian and Dzoyk, he had 3 younger siblings named Vardan, Vasak, and Artaxias. His father was killed by guerrillas at Tao in the aftermath of the battle of Avarayr. Vahan II, along with Vasak and Artaxias, was captured by the marzban of Armenia and was deported to Ctesiphon; sentenced to apostasy, there "weakened in their faith," according to his friend of childhood and contemporary historian Ghazar Parpetsi.[4]
The three brothers were sentenced to death, however, are released through Arschouscha, bdeachkh ("Margrave" or "vitaxe") of Gougark Anoyschvram and husband of the sister of Dzoyk ,. Spahbed ("Generalissimo" ) of Armenia customary law , Vahan regains his possessions, however, it is accused of misappropriation of income are gold mines, a charge to which he responds by making spontaneously Ctesiphon with a large amount.[5]
Revolt
In the aftermath of Avarayr Armenians are constantly solicited by the Persians in distant military expeditions, and are also forced to accept the growing power of some apostates, in this context, they positively receive the call to revolt Vakhtang I of Iberia itself in rebellion against the Persians . Vahan hesitates and decides 481 to join the rebellion , requiring other rebels to take an oath on the cross and the Gospel to remain faithful to the covenant, then it is proclaimed Sparapet . The oath is however directly reported by Varaz-Chapouh Amatuni to marzban, Adhour-Gouchnasp , who abandons Dvin , the capital, to take refuge first in Artashat then Persia Vahan does replace Sahak II Bagratouni already aspet ( "cavalry commander") . However Adhour-Gouchnasp sent a troop of horsemen 7000 against the insurgents, who were defeated by 400 horsemen led by Vasak Mamikonian at the Battle of Akori (northern slope of Ararat ), which also sees death the Persian marzpan . Vahan hitherto remained Dvin to ensure the defense of the capital , can be worn at the beginning of the year 483 to meet Persian reinforcements, he defeated at the Battle of Nersehapat in Artaz (region of Maku ) .
Vahan then gets a call from Vakhtang I and went with his troops on the Koura, to meet a Persian army commanded by Chahpouhr Mihran , maddened by the lack of promised reinforcements, Armenians subjected to was 483 defeat at the Battle of Akesga, among others seeing the death of Vasak Mamikonian and Sahak Bagratouni . Vahan then folds to Tayk while Mihran is reminded Ctesiphon, allowing Armenians to regain control of the plain of the Araxes during winter Mihran return spring 484 at the head of a new army and forces Vahan to take refuge near the border Byzantine, the Tayk and Taron.
Marzban of Armenia
However, an unexpected event changed the course of events: the death of the Sasanian king Peroz I in 484 in war against the Hephalites, causing the withdrawal of the Persians in Armenia and recovery of Dvin and Vagarsapat. Struggling to suppress the revolt Zariadres, Peroz's successor, Balash (r. 484-488), needed the help of the Armenians: in exchange for military support, he agreed to sign the Treaty of Nevarsak, which granted religious freedom to the Christians and the prohibition of Zoroastrianism in Armenia, including much greater autonomy for the Nakharar. Vahan II was also recognized as Spahbed and the property of the Mamikonian family and its allies were returned.
During the same period, Vahan II was appointed as marzban in 485, and appointed his brother Vard as Spahbed. According to catholicoi John I Mandacuni and Babgeno, Christianity flourished during his reign; churches were restored, and the the church of St. Gregory of Dvin was enlarged. The Cathedral Vagarsapat was also rebuilt. The country enjoyed relative peace, despite the failed attempt of the successor Balash, Kavadh I (r. 488-496, 499-531), to impose on the propositions Nevarsak. In 489, Vahan II along with Vatchagan III, King of Albania, repels an Hephalite incursion. Vahan II later died between 503 and 510 and was succeeded by his brother Vard Mamaikonian. According to Cyril Toumanoff, I Baanes Mamikonian hypothetically would have been the father of Astabasdo (IV), the father of Samuel I, Spahbed at 555.
References
- ^ Dédéyan 2007, p. 187
- ^ Dédéyan 2007, p. 190
- ^ Settipani 2006, p. 309-310.
- ^ Grousset 1947, p. 215.
- ^ Dédéyan 2007, p. 192.