THE ARMENIAN PRINCELY SYSTEM IN VASPURAKAN DURING THE STRUGGLE OF THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE AGAINST THE ARAB CALIPHATE’S DOMINANCE (THE 8th CENTURY)
Since ancient times the lordly right had been retained in Vaspurakan, the 8th province of Great Armenia. The Vaspurakan princedom was a part of the Armenian statehood's system.
During the 8th century there were several rebellions against the rule of the Arab Caliphate in Armenia. Vaspurakan princes took part in them along with other Armenian princely families Despite the heavy losses Vaspurakan had retained its autonomy headed by the Artsrunis, around whom the other princely families or their remnants united (also including some members of the Rshtuni family that had disappeared and now bore the family name of Artsruni.
The acts of violence by the Abbassides and the resettlement policy of the Arab tribes threatened to distort the demographic image of Armenia. However, thanks to the Armenians’ national vitality and commitment to the Homeland and its holiness, and of course, due also to a unanimous and self-sacrificing struggle against invaders, several Armenian princely families and, particularly, the Bagratunis and the Artsrunis mainly retained their princely autonomy and power.
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