Vahan I Mamikonian
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| Vahan II Mamikonian Վահան Ա Մամիկոնյան | |
|---|---|
 Artwork of Vahan II | |
| Marzban of Persian Armenia | |
| Reign | 485 - 510 |
| 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 Vard, 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, the Armenians are constantly requested by the Persians to distant military expeditions, and are also required to accept the growing power of the apostasy. In this context, the appeal received positively revolt of Vakhtang I of Iberia (r. 447/449 - 502/522), which had rebelled against the Persians. Vahan II hesitated, but decided to join the rebellion in 481, requiring other rebels did oath on the cross of the Gospel to remain faithful to the covenant he then proclaimed Spahbed. The oath is, however, reported directly to Varaz-Shapur Amatuni marzpan, Adhur Gushnasp who abandoned Dvin, the capital, and took refuge first in Artaxata and then in Persia; Vahan II replaced it with Isaac II Bagratuni, at that time one aspet ("cavalry commander"). However, Adhur Gushnasp led a force 7000 Knights against the insurgents, who were defeated by 400 horsemen led by Vahan II in battle Akori (northern slope of Ararat), the marzban was also killed. Baanes hitherto remained in Dvin in defense of the capital, but in early 483 met reinforcements Persians, defeating them at the Battle of Nersehapat in Artaz (region of Maku.)
Vahan II then received a call from Vachtang and was with his troops for the Kura River to find a Persian army commanding by Shapur Mihran. Crazed by the lack of promised reinforcements, the Armenians were defeated in 483 at the Battle of Akesga that among other consequences, caused the death of Isaac and Vasak Mamicônio Bagratuni II. Vahan II then went to Tao while Shapur was returning to Ctesiphon, allowing Armenians regain control of the Arax plain during winter. In the spring of 484 Shapur returns as head of a new army and forces Baanes refuge near the Byzantine frontier, at Tao 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 Nvarsak Treaty, 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.
Family tree
| Hmayeak Mamikonian | Dzoyk Arçrouni | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Artaxias | Vasak | Vahan II Mamikonian | Vard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Artavasdes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samuel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References
- ^ Dédéyan 2007, p. 187
- ^ Dédéyan 2007, p. 190
- ^ Settipani 2006, p. 309-310.
- ^ Grousset 1947, p. 215.
- ^ Dédéyan 2007, p. 192.