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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