Siunia Dynasty
Encyclopedia
The Siunia Dynasty or Siak, Syunik were the first dynasty to rule Syunik
, beginning in the 1st century. Their rulers belonged to an Armenian
family of descendents of Sisak.
The first known ruler was Valinak Siak (c. 330). His successor was his brother Andok (c. 340).
In 379, King Babik, son of Andok, was re-established as ruler by the Mamikonian
s. His sister, Pharantzem, was married to Gnel, nephew of Arshak II
, King of Armenia. This lasted for less than ten years and by about 386 or 387, King Dara was deposed by the Persian
s.
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.
Syunik was later ruled by other kings: Vahan (c. 570), Philipo (c. 580), Stephanos (c. 590-597), Sahak (c. 597), and Grigor (until 640).
Inscriptions found in the region around Lake Sevan
attributed to the same king (King Artashes I) confirm that in the 2nd century BC the District of Syunik
constituted part of the Ancient Armenia.
Syunik
Syunik is the southernmost province of Armenia. It borders the Vayots Dzor marz to the north, Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave to the west, Karabakh to the east, and Iran to the south. Its capital is Kapan. Other important cities and towns include Goris, Sisian, Meghri, Agarak, and Dastakert...
, beginning in the 1st century. Their rulers belonged to an Armenian
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
family of descendents of Sisak.
The first known ruler was Valinak Siak (c. 330). His successor was his brother Andok (c. 340).
In 379, King Babik, son of Andok, was re-established as ruler by the Mamikonian
Mamikonian
Mamikonian, Mamikoneans, or Mamigonian was a noble family which dominated Armenian politics between the 4th and 8th century. They ruled the Armenian regions of Taron, Sasun, Bagrevand and others...
s. His sister, Pharantzem, was married to Gnel, nephew of Arshak II
Arshak II
Arshak II or Arsaces II, was the son of King Tiran and was himself king of Armenia from 350 to 367.- Reign :In the early years of Arshak's reign, he found himself courted by the empires of Rome and Persia, both of which hope to win Armenia to their side in the ongoing conflicts between them...
, King of Armenia. This lasted for less than ten years and by about 386 or 387, King Dara was deposed by the Persian
Persian people
The Persian people are part of the Iranian peoples who speak the modern Persian language and closely akin Iranian dialects and languages. The origin of the ethnic Iranian/Persian peoples are traced to the Ancient Iranian peoples, who were part of the ancient Indo-Iranians and themselves part of...
s.
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.
Syunik was later ruled by other kings: Vahan (c. 570), Philipo (c. 580), Stephanos (c. 590-597), Sahak (c. 597), and Grigor (until 640).
Inscriptions found in the region around Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world.Lake Sevan is situated in the central part of the Republic of Armenia, inside the Gegharkunik Province, at the altitude of 1,900m above sea level...
attributed to the same king (King Artashes I) confirm that in the 2nd century BC the District of Syunik
Syunik
Syunik is the southernmost province of Armenia. It borders the Vayots Dzor marz to the north, Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave to the west, Karabakh to the east, and Iran to the south. Its capital is Kapan. Other important cities and towns include Goris, Sisian, Meghri, Agarak, and Dastakert...
constituted part of the Ancient Armenia.