Syunik (also called Siunik or Syunia) is one of the provinces (marz) of Armenia. It was a feudal principality in ancient Armenia. It is in the south-east of the country, bordering Azerbaijan and Iran. Its capital is Kapan. File links The following pages link to this file: Syunik Categories: GFDL images ... Armenia is divided into 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz): Aragatsotn Ararat Armavir Gegharkunik Kotayk Lorri Shirak Syunik Tavush Vayots Dzor Yerevan Categories: Lists of subnational entities | Provinces of Armenia ... Kapan (Ô¿Õ¡ÕºÕ¡Õ¶ in Armenian, former names include Ghapan, Kafan, and Madan) is a town in the Syunik province of Armenia, about one kilometre from the Azerbaijani border. ...

Geography and climate

Modern Syunik was divided in the early 20th century, when Armenia ceded a portion to neighboring Azerbaijan. It was divided into two regions: Western Syunik, to the west of Lake Sevan; and Eastern Siunik, which stretches southward from the lake to the neighbouring mountains where the capital Tatev is located. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... Lake Sevan (Սևանա Õ¬Õ«Õ³ in Armenian), named Gegham Sea (Ô³Õ¥Õ²Õ¡Õ´Õ¡ Õ®Õ¸Õ¾) in ancient times, also referred to erroniously by its Turkish name Gokcha (or Goktscha), is Armenias largest lake, the largest lake in Transcaucasia and one of the largest high altitude lakes in the world. ...

The high-water major rivers are the Meghri, Voghdji, and Vorotan. Summertime temperatures can reach more than 50°C, although the average temperature is around 22°C. [1]

History

See also: History of Armenia, History of Azerbaijan // Prehistory Archaeologists refer to the Shulaveri-Shomu culture of the central Transcaucasus region, including modern Armenia, as the earliest known prehistoric culture in the area, carbon-dated to roughly 6000 - 4000 BC. However, a recently discovered tomb has been dated to 9000 BC. Another early culture in the Armenian Highland... Azerbaijan or Azarbeijan (Azerbaijani: Azerbaycan, Azerbeycan) is historically and geographically Eurasian and stretches from the Caucasus region, which is adjacent to the Caspian Sea, to northwestern Iran. ...

Early rulers

The first dynasty to rule Siunik was the Siak, beginning in the 1st century. The first known ruler was Valinak Siak (c. 330). His successor was his brother Andok (c. 340). The 1st century was that century which lasted from 1 to 100. ...

Siunik was occupied by Persia, c. 369. In 379, King Babik, son of Andok, was re-established as ruler by the Mamikonians. His sister, Pharantzem, was married to Gnel, nephew of Archak II, king of Armenia. This lasted for less than ten years and by about 386 or 387, king Dara was deposed by the Persians. For other uses of this term see: Persia (disambiguation) The Persian Empire is the name used to refer to a number of historic dynasties that have ruled the country of Persia (Iran). ... Armenian medal representing Vartan Mamikonean Mamikonian or Mamikoneans was a noble family which dominated Armenian politics between the 4th and 8th centuruies. ... Dara (fortress, compare Dura-Europos) was a Byzantine fort in Syria. ...

King Valinak (c. 400-409) was followed by Vasak (409-452). Vasak had two sons, Bagben and Bakur, and a daughter who married Vasak's successor, Varazvahan (452-472). His son Gelehon ruled from 470 to 477 and died in 483. Babik (Bagben) the brother of Varazvahan, became the new king in 477. Hadz, brother of Gelehon, died on September 25, 482.

Siunik was later ruled by other kings: Vahan c. 570, Philipo c. 580, Stephanos c. 590-597, Sahak c. 597, and Grigor until 640. Stephen is a male first name. ...

Late first millennium

A dynasty was formed, governed by a branch of the Bagratuni, with minor vassal princes from one or more previous dynasties, perhaps of Persian origin. Vasak III (c. 800) suffered an assault from the emir of Manazkert, Sevada. He established a garrison in Chalat, in the district of Dzoluk. He then called for help from the Persian revolutionary chief Babek, who had married a daughter of the king. ... Entrance to the emirs palace in Bukhara. ... Map of Azerbaijan showing Babak rayon Babek (Babək) is a rayon of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. ...

After Vasak III (821) died, Babek inherited the country, which revolted against him. Babek suppressed the revolt, but was harassed by both Muslims and Armenians. Finally, he abdicated and the children of Vasak, Philipo, and Sahak regained power. Philipo governed Eastern Siunik, with the districts of Vaïots, Tzor, and Balq (Goucha). Sahak governed in Western Siunik, also known as Gelarquniq, with capital in Khoth. These local dynasties disappeared during the ephemeral domination from Babek. A Muslim is a believer in or follower of Islam. ...

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 Siunik. In the Eastern region, Philipo died on August 10, 848. He 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 Siunik, replacing his father Grigor-Sufan. Nerseh, brother of Babgen, directed (851?) an expedition to Aghuania defeating and killing the prince Varaz-Terdat (of the Persian dynasty Mihrakane of Aghuania) in Morgog. A general sent by the Caliph, Bogha al-Kabir, destroyed Armenia and Aghuania in these years, and sent a detachment to Eastern Siunik where was governing Vasak IV with his brother Achot. The Siunik people were protected in the fortress of Balq, but Vasak fled to Kotaiq, and was pursued to the region of Gardman on the eastern border of the Sevan Lake. 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. Caliph is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... Caliph is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... Gardman was an old region of Armenia ruled by a local family. ... Lake Sevan (Սևանա լիճ in Armenian) is Armenias largest lake, the largest lake in Transcaucasia and one of the largest high altitude lakes in the world. ...

The Caliphate tried to control all these regions, and for this reason Bogha decided to repopulate the city of Chamkor in the Kura river with Muslims. Chamkor, being near Bardáa and Gandja, was intended to act as a regional monitoring post. By order of the new Caliph in 862, imprisoned princes 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.) An Anglicized/Latinized version of the Arabic word خليفة or Khalīfah, Caliph (  listen?) is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... Kura (Georgian Mtkvari, Azerbaijani Kür) is a river in the Caucasus Mountains. ...

The prince of Western Siunik, Vasak-Gabor, was married to a daughter of the Bagratid prince Achot the Great named Miriam, and received the title of Ichkhan from the Siunik people - delivered to him by Achot in name of the Caliph. His successor was his son, Grigor-Sufan II (887-909). The prince of Eastern Siunik, 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 Vaïots-Tzor. Chahaponk (Djahuk) governed from 887 until sometime after 920. He revolted in 903 against the Bagratid Sembat I, refusing to pay him taxes. Because of this, he was assaulted by the prince of Vaspurakan, Sargis-Achot. Sembat submitted and was forgiven and married to the sister of the principe of Vaspurakan, receiving the city and district of Najichevan, which in 902 was upset with the Kaysites or Qaisids. Under the system of feudalism, a fiefdom, fief, feud or fee, often consisted of heritable lands or revenue-producing property granted by a liege lord in return for a form of allegiance, originally often to give him the means to fulfill his military duties when called upon. ... Region (Bagrevand) and family Bagratuni (or Bagratids) that ruled it, of the old Armenia c. ... Sembat I was King of Armenia (890-913) of the Bagratouni dynasty, son of Ashot I and the father of Ashot II of Erkat and Abas I. His rule was a period of unending wars against the Arab conquerors and the rebellious Armenian nobles. ... Vaspurakan was a province and then kingdom of Greater Armenia during the Middle Ages. ...

The prince of Vaspurakan did not have to be in agreement with this transfer of a nearby territory to its dominances that could to wait receive.

A few years later, the prince after was allied with the emir of Sadjid, Yusuf, against Eastern Siunik, which they invaded together.

Sembat was sheltered in the fortress of Erendchak (today Alindja, northeast of Najichevan) and Yusuf remained owner of Eastern Siunik. Sembat requested refuge from his brother-in-law Khatchik-Gagik, which was granted. In the same year (909), the prince of Western Siunik, Grigor Sufan II, submitted to the emir Yusuf in Dwin. Only Byzantine movements and the withdrawal of the Sadjids permitted him to recover the throne some time later. Sembat, with his three brothers Sahak, Babgen, and Vasak, governed again. Also in Western Siunik, Sahak, Achot and Vasak, brothers of Grigor-Sufan II, were governing the country. After them the dynasty of Western Siunik became extinct and the territory was subsumed by the Muslims. The Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centered at its capital in Constantinople. ...

The Eastern part remained divided: Sembat, which had the main title, governed the western part of the Eastern Siunik with the Vaïots-Tzor, bordered by Vaspurakan. Sahak governed the eastern part until the river Hakar. Babgen governed the district of the Balq, 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 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. This article belongs in one or more categories. ...

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 was succeeded by two nephews (the children of his sister and a Prince Achot) called Sembat and Grigor (1019-1084). The latter 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 was followed by his son Grigor of Siunik and Aghuania, who governed until 1166, when the country was conquered by the Seljucids Turks. Aran or Arran is a historical geographical name used in early medieval times to define some parts of what is now the republic Azerbaijan as well as Armenia. ...

Later, the dynasty of the Orbeliani, one of whose members wrote an important history of the country, governed Siunik in times of Timur (Tamerlan) as vassals. Timur (Chagatai Turkish: تیمور) (also known as Temur, Taimur, Timur Lenk, Timur i Leng, Tamerlane, Tamburlaine, or Taimur-e-Lang, which translates to Timur the Lame, as he was lame after sustaining an injury in battle) (1336–February 1405) was a great 14th century Turkic-Mongol conqueror, ruler of the Timurid...

Twentieth Century

In September, 1920, Armenia ceded the regions of Siunik, Zangezur, and High Karabag (Eastern) to Azerbaijan. The Armenian military forces in the region did not accept the decision and proclaimed the Autonomous Republic of Syunik. After the proclamation of the Soviet Republic of Armenia in 1921, Siunik was partially occupied by Azerbaijan. Siunik proclaimed its independence as the Republic of the Mountainous Armenia, but it only encompassed part of the High Karabag (South of Zangezur), and the Eastern and Western Siunik had been occupied. After some resistance, the authorities of the Republic fled to Iran. 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... Syunik is one of the provinces (marz) of Armenia. ...

Rulers

• Valinak Siak (c. 330)
• Andok (c. 340)
• Babik (379)
• Dara (until 387)
• Valinak (c. 00-409)
• Vasak (409-452)
• Varazvahan (452-472)
• Gelehon (470-477)
• Babik (Bagben) (477-?)
• Hadz (until September 25, 482)
• Vahan (c. 570)
• Philipo (c. 580)
• Stephanos (c. 590-597)
• Sahak (c. 597)
• Grigor (until 640)
• ..
• Vasak III (ca 800-821)
• Philipo II (Eastern Siunik)(821?-August 10,848) and Sahak (821?-826)(Western Siunik)
• Grigor-Sufan (826-849 (or 850 or 851)) (Western Siunik)
• Babgen (821-851), Vasak-Ichkhanik or Vasak IV] (851-887) and Achot (Eastern Siunik)
• Vasak-Gabor (849/851-887) (Western Siunik)
• Grigor-Sufan II (887-909) (Western Siunik)
• Achot (887-u906) (Eastern Siunik)
• Sembat (887-after 920), Sahak, Babgen and Vasak (Eastern Siunik)
• Sahak, Achot and Vasak (-963) (Western Siunik)
• Smbat I (963-998)
• Vasak (998-1040)
• Smbat II (1040-1044)
• Grigor I (1044-1084)
• Senek'erim (1084-1094 (1105))
• Grigor II ((1105) 1094-1166)
• Asan (1166-1170)

Dara (fortress, compare Dura-Europos) was a Byzantine fort in Syria. ... Stephen is a male first name. ... Smbat I was King of Armenia (890-913) of the Bagratuni dynasty, son of Ashot I and the father of Ashot II Yerkat and Abas I. His rule was a period of unending wars against the Arab conquerors and the rebellious Armenian nobles. ...

External links

• Syunik Marz Tourist Guide
• [2]
• About Syunik at the site of Ministry of Urban Development