Latest / The Story of Armenia: Survival Through Empires and Genocide — Fexingo History / Vaspurakan: The Forgotten Kingdom of Armenian Kings
Transcript
- Lucas: So we've covered a lot of Armenian history — from the Artaxiad dynasty to the Bagratunis, from Cilicia to the genocide. But there's one Armenian kingdom that often gets overshadowed, even though it was one of the most culturally vibrant: the Kingdom of Vaspurakan. Luna: Vaspurakan — that's around Lake Van, right? Lucas: Exactly. Vaspurakan was a region in the Armenian highlands, centered on the eastern shore of Lake Van. It emerged as a distinct principality under the Artsruni family, who eventually declared themselves kings in 908. This was during the same period as the Bagratuni kingdom, but Vaspurakan was a separate entity, though they often cooperated. Lucas: The Artsrunis traced their lineage back to the ancient Armenian kings, and they claimed descent from the mythical Hayk himself. They were major patrons of the Armenian Church and built some of the most stunning churches and monasteries in the region. Luna: So what made them decide to break away and form their own kingdom? Lucas: It wasn't really a breakaway — more like the Bagratunis recognized their power. The first Artsruni king, Gagik I Artsruni, was originally a prince who gained control over Vaspurakan and neighboring regions. In 908, the Abbasid Caliphate, which still held nominal suzerainty, granted him the title of king. The Bagratunis, who were also kings, acknowledged him as a fellow monarch. So you had two Armenian kingdoms coexisting under different spheres of influence. Lucas: Gagik I is famous for building the Holy Cross Cathedral on the island of Akdamar in Lake Van. It's one of the masterpieces of Armenian medieval architecture. The church is covered in intricate reliefs — biblical scenes, saints, and even a depiction of Gagik himself presenting the church to Christ. Luna: That church is stunning. I've seen pictures of those carvings. Lucas: Vaspurakan was also a crossroads of cultures. It traded with the Byzantine Empire, the Caliphate, and even farther east. The Artsruni kings minted their own coins, and they maintained a strong military. They often fought against the Byzantine emperors who tried to expand into Armenian territory. Luna: But eventually, Vaspurakan was absorbed by Byzantium, right? Lucas: Yes. In 1021, the last Artsruni king, Senekerim-Hovhannes, faced pressure from both the Seljuk Turks and the Byzantines. He decided to cede his kingdom to the Byzantine Emperor Basil II in exchange for lands in Cappadocia. This was a strategic move — he hoped to preserve his people by moving them under Byzantine protection. But it also meant the end of an independent Armenian kingdom in the Lake Van area. Lucas: The transfer wasn't smooth. Many Armenians resented leaving their homeland. And in Cappadocia, they became a minority, though they maintained their culture for centuries. The Artsruni dynasty continued as Byzantine vassals for a while, but their power faded. Luna: What happened to the region of Vaspurakan itself? Lucas: After the Byzantines took over, they established themes — military provinces — but the area was soon overrun by the Seljuks after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. Later, it was ruled by various Turkic dynasties, the Mongols, the Safavids, and eventually the Ottomans. The Armenian population remained, but their kingdom was gone. The Holy Cross Cathedral on Akdamar survived, though it fell into disrepair and was converted into a museum after the Armenian Genocide. Luna: It's remarkable that the church still stands. Lucas: It's a symbol of Vaspurakan's golden age. Today, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site — or it was proposed as one — and it's a pilgrimage site for Armenians. Every year, a liturgy is held there, and people come from all over the world. So the kingdom may have vanished, but its legacy endures in that stone masterpiece. Luna: I'm glad we got to explore this forgotten kingdom. Lucas: Me too. Vaspurakan is a reminder that Armenian history isn't just about the big kingdoms — it's also about the smaller states that thrived in the shadows, creating beauty and culture that outlasted empires.