Vaspurakan

Vaspurakan (also transliterated as Vasbouragan in Western Armenian; , (Vaspowrakan) meaning the "noble land" or "land of princes") was the first and biggest province of Greater Armenia, which later became an independent kingdom during the Middle Ages, centered around Lake Van. Located in what is now called eastern Turkey and northwestern Iran, the region is considered to be the cradle of Armenian civilization.

History

From IX BC Vaspurakan was part of Urartu. In VI BC it became part of Satrapy of Armenia. From 189 BC it became on of Greater Armenia's provinces. Then it became part of Arsacid Dynasty of Armenia. After 387's division it was included into Persian Armenia. In VIII century it felt under Arab control. Many rebellions took place in Vaspurakan. In 885, within the territory of Kingdom of Armenia , it became free.During most of its history it was ruled by the Ardzruni dynasty, which first managed to create a principality in the area. At its greatest extent Vaspurakan comprised the lands between Lake Van and Lake Urmia (also known as Kaputan) in 908. From 908, when Gagik I of Vaspurakan was recognized King of Armenia by Arab Caliph and at first was on their sight, but soon hr regretted and together with Ashot II defeated the Arabs. Soon he was recognized, as the King of Vaspurakan by Ashot II. In 1021 Seneqerim Ardzruni gave Vaspurakan to the Byzantine Empire,...
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