Ashot I of Armenia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashot I |
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| King of Armenia; Prince of Princes of Armenia | |
| Reign | 884–890 |
| Successor | Smbat I the Martyr |
| Born | c. 820 |
| Died | 890 (aged 69–70) Gugark, Greater Armenia |
| Burial | Bagaran, Armenia |
| Spouse | Katranide I |
| Issue | Smbat I Sahak David Shapuh |
| Dynasty | Bagratuni Dynasty |
| Father | Smbat the Confessor |
| Mother | Hripsime |
| Religion | Armenian Apostolic |
Ashot I (Armenian: Աշոտ Ա; born around 820 – died 890) was an important Armenian king. He started Armenia's second "golden age," a time of great success, which lasted from 862 to 977. He was also known as Ashot the Great (Աշոտ Մեծ). Ashot was the son of Smbat VIII the Confessor and belonged to the powerful Bagratuni Dynasty.
Contents
Life Story of Ashot I
Early Years and Family
Ashot was born around 820. His parents were Smbat VIII Bagratuni and Hripsime. His father, Smbat VIII, was a sparapet (which means supreme commander of the army). Ashot's grandfather was Ashot Msaker, who was a Prince of Armenia. Ashot also had a brother named Abas.
Ashot's family, the Bagratunis, was one of the strongest families in Armenia. They often had to fight against Arab invaders. Later, Armenians took back control from the Arab government. Ashot lived in his family's home near the city of Bagaran. He married a woman named Katranide. In 856, the Abbasid Caliph (the ruler of the Arab empire) named Ashot as sparapet, just like his father.
Becoming Prince of Princes
Ashot's lands were close to where the Arab-Byzantine Wars were happening. In 862, the Abbasid Caliph al-Musta'in gave Ashot the title "Prince of Princes of Armenia." The Caliph hoped this would help protect the area from local Arab rulers. This title made Ashot almost like a king, giving him a lot of power. However, he didn't have full control over the whole kingdom yet. He kept this important title under several other Caliphs.
Ashot worked to make his family stronger. He took control of the Bagrevand region in 862. He also helped settle arguments between powerful families like the Artsruni. To make peace, Ashot arranged for his daughter, Sophie, to marry Grigor-Derenik Artsruni. He also connected with the Siunia Dynasty by arranging another marriage for his second daughter, Mariam, with Prince Vasak Gabur IV. These marriages helped Ashot build strong alliances with other important families.
Ashot used this support to fight against the local Arab rulers, called emirs. He and his brother Abas defeated the Kaysites of Manazkert in 863. He also fought against the emir of Barda. Ashot gained control of the Gugark and Utik regions by 860.
Ashot's influence also reached into Caucasian Iberia (modern-day Georgia). He made alliances with his relatives there to help them in their own power struggles.
Crowned King of Armenia
Many important Armenians wanted Ashot to become king. In 885, Caliph al-Mu'tamid agreed to crown Ashot as King of Armenia. This was done to stop the Byzantine Empire from trying to take over Armenian lands. With his crowning, Ashot brought back the Armenian monarchy. He founded the medieval Kingdom of Armenia, also known as Bagratid Armenia, named after his family. This kingdom lasted until 1045.
Even as king, Ashot still had to answer to the Caliph. However, all the Armenian princes came under Ashot's authority. He gained control over several important cities and regions. For example, the emir of Manazkert was defeated and had to accept Ashot's rule in 885.
Ashot's power also continued in Iberia. He supported his nephew, Adarnase IV of Iberia, in becoming ruler there. In 888, Ashot sent his brother Abas to stop a rebellion in Kars.
Ashot traveled to Gugark to stop another rebellion, fighting alongside his son and future king, Smbat I. Ashot I died in 890. A historian named Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsi wrote about his death. He said Ashot died on the road and his body was taken to Bagaran, the royal city. There, he was buried in the cemetery of his ancestors. His son, Smbat I, became king after him.
Armenian Growth Under Ashot's Rule
When Ashot brought back the Armenian monarchy, it led to a time of great growth. The economy improved, and arts and religion became stronger. Many cultural buildings were fixed up and made new. During Ashot's time, the first khachkar (a special Armenian cross-stone) was created in 879. It was made to honor Ashot's wife, Katranide. Cities grew, and farming became very successful, especially vineyards.
Religious Support
Ashot strongly supported the Armenian Apostolic Church during his rule. He was careful to keep the Armenian Church separate from the Orthodox Byzantine Church. He feared that if they merged, the Byzantine Empire might try to take away his power. Ashot also supported the Armenian Church's wish to be separate from the Church of Caucasian Albania. He gave many valuable items to the Armenian Catholicos (the head of the church) to give to churches.
Family
Ashot I was married to Queen Katranide. They had several children:
- Smbat I: He became king after Ashot.
- Sahak
- David
- Shapuh
Ashot also had two daughters:
- Sophie: She married Grigor-Derenik Artsruni, a prince from Vaspurakan.
- Mariam: She married Prince Vasak Gabur IV of Syunik. Mariam founded the Sevanavank Monastery in 874.
Images for kids
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The borders of Bagratid Armenia from 884 to 962.
See also
In Spanish: Ashot I de Armenia para niños
