Armenia
Armenia, officially the Republic of Armenia, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of West Asia. It is a part of the Caucasus region and is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia (country), Georgia to the north and Azerbaijan to ...
from 977 to 989. He was of the Bagratuni line of kings, and the son of
Ashot III
Ashot III () was a king of Armenia, ruling the medieval kingdom of Bagratid Armenia from 952/53–77. Known as Ashot III the Merciful (Աշոտ Գ Ողորմած) and acknowledged by foreign rulers as the ''Shahanshah'' (king of kings) of ''Me ...
, whom he succeeded.
Life
Smbat was crowned king on the same day of his father's death. He ruled from the city of
Ani
Ani (; ; ) is a ruined medieval Armenian city now situated in Turkey's province of Kars, next to the closed border with Armenia.
Between 961 and 1045, it was the capital of the Bagratid Armenian kingdom that covered much of present-day Armen ...
, which he fortified. In particular, he ordered the construction of a wall around Ani, also building towers and fortifications to protect the city from north to west. He began the construction of the
Cathedral of Ani
The Cathedral of Ani (, ''Anii mayr tačar''; ) is the largest standing building in Ani, the capital city of medieval Bagratid Armenia, located in present-day eastern Turkey, on the border with modern Armenia. Its construction was completed in t ...
. His reign was generally a time of peace, only disturbed by conflict between Smbat and his uncle Mushegh in
Kars
Kars ( or ; ; ) is a city in northeast Turkey. It is the seat of Kars Province and Kars District. ...
. The latter in 982 incited the Sallarid ''
emir
Emir (; ' (), also Romanization of Arabic, transliterated as amir, is a word of Arabic language, Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocratic, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person po ...
'' of Āzarbāijān, Abu'l-Haija, to capture and Dvin, attack Smbat's domains and demand from him a tribute. This state of affairs was quickly brought to an end when Abu'l-Haija was captured by Abu Dulaf, the Muslim ''emir'' of Goght'n. Smbat concluded a peace with Abu Dulaf that left the ''emir'' in control of Dvin and Goght'n. Smbat inspired contention with the
Armenian Church
Armenian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent
** Armenian diaspora, Armenian communities around the ...
when he married his own niece (sister's daughter), which the church strongly opposed.
King Smbat died and was buried in Ani in 989,Manuk-Khaloyan, Armen, "In the Cemetery of their Ancestors: The Royal Burial Tombs of the Bagratuni Kings of Greater Armenia (890-1073/79)," ''
Revue des Études Arméniennes
''Revue des Études Arméniennes'' is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes articles relating to Classical and medieval Armenian history, art history, philology, linguistics, and literature.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. As he did not have any male issue Smbat II succeeded by his brother
Gagik I
Gagik I () was a Bagratid king of Armenia who reigned between 989 and 1020, under whom Bagratid Armenia reached its height and enjoyed a period of uninterrupted peace and prosperity.
Rule
It is unknown when Gagik I was born. He succeeded his br ...
.
See also
*
Smbat Walls
The Smbat walls were medieval fortifications built during the 10th century in the Kingdom of Armenia.
Background
The walls were made from smoothly hewn yellow stones, decorated in places with red and black stones, which formed patterns of cros ...