Smbat II
Encyclopedia
Smbat II King of Armenia
(977–990), son of Ashot III
and ruled from Ani
. He fortified the city and began the construction of the Cathedral of Ani
. Smbat II succeeded to Ashot III
, and continued his father’s work. He ordered the construction of a wall around the city of Ani
and built towers and fortifications, sheltering the city from north to west. During his time also Armenia experienced a period of peace and tranquility, and only the conflict between Smbat II and his uncle Moushegh in Kars disturbed the peace. Another bone of contention arose, however, between the king and the Armenian Church
when the king married his own niece, which the church opposed quite strongly.
King Smbat II died in 989, while the famous Armenian
architect Trdat
, by order of the king, had started laying the foundations of the cathedral of Ani. This building is still standing today, and with its unique style and simple decorations, is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Armenian architecture. Smbat II was buried in Ani and, as he did not have any male issue, was succeeded by his brother Gagik I.
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
(977–990), son of Ashot III
Ashot III
Ashot III the Merciful also known as Ashot the Gracious was an Armenian king. He ruled from Armenia's capital city of Ani....
and ruled from Ani
Ani
Ani is a ruined and uninhabited medieval Armenian city-site situated in the Turkish province of Kars, near the border with Armenia. It was once the capital of a medieval Armenian kingdom that covered much of present day Armenia and eastern Turkey...
. He fortified the city and began the construction of the Cathedral of Ani
Cathedral of Ani
The Cathedral of Ani is an Armenian church built in 1001 AD by the architect Trdat in the ruined ancient Armenian capital of Ani, located in what is now the extreme eastern tip of Turkey, on the border with modern Armenia...
. Smbat II succeeded to Ashot III
Ashot III
Ashot III the Merciful also known as Ashot the Gracious was an Armenian king. He ruled from Armenia's capital city of Ani....
, and continued his father’s work. He ordered the construction of a wall around the city of Ani
Ani
Ani is a ruined and uninhabited medieval Armenian city-site situated in the Turkish province of Kars, near the border with Armenia. It was once the capital of a medieval Armenian kingdom that covered much of present day Armenia and eastern Turkey...
and built towers and fortifications, sheltering the city from north to west. During his time also Armenia experienced a period of peace and tranquility, and only the conflict between Smbat II and his uncle Moushegh in Kars disturbed the peace. Another bone of contention arose, however, between the king and the Armenian Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
when the king married his own niece, which the church opposed quite strongly.
King Smbat II died in 989, while the famous 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....
architect Trdat
Trdat the Architect
Trdat the Architect was the chief architect of the Bagratuni kings of Armenia, whose 10th century monuments have been argued to be the forerunners of Gothic architecture which came to Europe several centuries later....
, by order of the king, had started laying the foundations of the cathedral of Ani. This building is still standing today, and with its unique style and simple decorations, is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Armenian architecture. Smbat II was buried in Ani and, as he did not have any male issue, was succeeded by his brother Gagik I.