Mzhezh or Mjej

Gnuni Gnuni (; c. 300–800.) was a princely family in Armenia, who ruled the region of Aliovit, including the cities of Archesh, Arberani and Berkri on the northern shore of Lake Van. They were an offshoot of the Orontids. Main rulers: *Atat Gnuni ...

(, ''Mžēž Gnuni''), was an

Armenian 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 ...

sparapet of

Byzantine Armenia Byzantine Armenia, sometimes known as Western Armenia, is the name given to the parts of Kingdom of Armenia that became part of the Byzantine Empire. The size of the territory varied over time, depending on the degree of control the Byzantine ...

. Initially serving under

Heraclius Heraclius (; 11 February 641) was Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the Exarch of Africa, led a revolt against the unpopular emperor Phocas. Heraclius's reign was ...

, the contingent of Armenian troops under his command were instrumental in the

Byzantine The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived the events that caused the fall of the Western Roman E ...

success against the

Sassanids The Sasanian Empire (), officially Eranshahr ( , "Empire of the Iranians"), was an Iranian empire that was founded and ruled by the House of Sasan from 224 to 651. Enduring for over four centuries, the length of the Sasanian dynasty's reign ...

during the Byzantine-Persian Wars that culminated in the overthrow of

Khosrau II Khosrow II (spelled Chosroes II in classical sources; and ''Khosrau''), commonly known as Khosrow Parviz (New Persian: , "Khosrow the Victorious"), is considered to be the last great Sasanian King of Kings (Shahanshah) of Iran, ruling from 590 ...

in 628. He also served as the

sparapet ' () was a military title and office in ancient and medieval Armenia. Under the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia, the ' was the supreme commander of the kingdom's armed forces. During the Arsacid period and for some time afterwards, the office was held ...

(commander in chief) of Byzantine Armenia from about 630 to 638, and during this time may have been responsible for the founding of the

Cathedral of Mren The Cathedral of Mren is a 7th-century Armenian church in an abandoned medieval town site called Mren. It is located in the Kars region of Turkey, near the border with Armenia, about 1.5 km west of the Akhurian River. Architecture The Cathe ...

. He was succeeded in this position by

David Saharuni David Saharuni (, ''Davit' Saharuni'') was ''sparapet'', ''curopalates'', '' ishkhan'', and presiding prince of Byzantine-controlled Armenia from 635 to 638. In an unprecedented move, his remit also included Byzantine-controlled Syria, which was li ...

, from the middle-ranking Armenian nobility, after the latter was accused of plotting against the life of Heraclius. While being sent into exile, David escaped and made his way back to Armenia. There he raised an army, and slew Mžēž Gnuni, alongside his brother Varaz Gnel Gnuni. Evidence of this chronicled by Bishop Sebeos of the Bagratunis, such as "41:16 Also involved in that plot was Dawit’ Sahaṙuni, whom Mzhēzh arrested and sent to the palace. But on the way he cut his bonds and killed the men who were escorting him. He returned and united under his command the Armenian army. Attacking Mzhēzh Gnuni the Greek general, he defeated and killed both him and Varaz Gnel Gnuni. Then he took for himself command of the army with the agreement and support of all the troops." Account from the Manuscripts of Sebeos, Primary Source He is also known to have approached the Armenian Catholicos Ezra for a union of the Armenian and Greek Churches, who initially refused, but later yielded to the menaces of the general.Ararat By Armenian General Benevolent Union (1962)
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mjej 02 Gnuni Byzantine people of Armenian descent Medieval Armenian generals 7th-century Byzantine generals 7th-century monarchs in Asia Byzantine governors 7th-century Armenian people Gnuni family People of the Roman–Sasanian Wars