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119-593: Hamo Sahyan was born on April 14, 1914, in the village of Lor in the Sisian district of the present-day Syunik region. Later, the literary name was formed with the abbreviation of the name and the beginning of the patronymic. In 1927, he moved to Baku to live with his uncle. In 1935, he entered and graduated from the Linguistic faculty of the Baku Pedagogical Institute in 1939. Between 1939 and 1941, he worked as

238-463: A 17th-century record: ... he turned Armenia into an uninhabited [desert]. For upon resettlement, he exiled to Persia [residents] of not just a few but a vast number of Gavars, starting from the borders of Nakhivivan and reaching the Geghama coasts, the gavars of Lori, Hamzachiman and Aparan through Yeghegnadzor ... In the period between the 17th and 18th centuries, the south of Syunik – Zangezur – became

357-569: A center of the Armenian people's struggle for national liberation . The meliks of Syunik took part in the 1677 Echmiadzin assembly aimed at organizing the struggle for the liberation of Armenia. In 1699, Melik Israel Ori , the son of the Melik Israel of Syunik, organized a secret assembly in Angheghakot, bringing together 11 meliks. They adopted an appeal to a range of Western European countries with

476-461: A centralized authority and a range of other Syunik regions to the Ani Kingdom. The records of Stephen Taronetsi , a contemporary historian, state: Sembat's brother, Gagik, was enthroned in the city of Ani the very day he [the king] died in the winter of 989 A.D. The Kingdom of Syunik reached its peak in the first half of the 11th century under Kings Vasak and Smbat II , achieving sovereignty with

595-589: A collection of typical poems by Hamo Sahyan, "Don't Let Me Go"«Ինձ բացակա չդնեք», was posthumously published. He did translations of Pushkin , Yesenin , Garcia Lorca , and others. He died on July 17, 1993, in Yerevan. The remains are buried in the Komitas Pantheon . Hamo Sahyan was the correct man, he played and embarrassed himself during the game, he fought during his fight, he took a long time to realize that he looked like authentic literature, and he withdrew during

714-526: A contemporary historian who served as the main Armenian source of that particular period, the early years of the Qara Qoyunlu rule were relatively peaceful. That quiet period, however, was disrupted by the arrival of Iskander Khan who turned Armenia into a "desert", "devastating and looting" the country. Nevertheless, Isander Khan also made attempts of reconciliation with the feudals and the clergy. Thus he adopted

833-705: A daughter of the Bagratid prince Ashot the Great named Miriam and received the title of Ichkhan from the Syunik people – delivered to him by Ashot in name of the Caliph. His successor was his son, Grigor-Sufan II (887–909). The prince of Eastern Syunik, Vasak IV, died around 887 and was followed by his brother Achot who died c. 906. The son of Vasak IV, Sembat, that received the fiefdom from Vayots Dzor. Chahaponk (Jahuk) governed from 887 until sometime after 920. He revolted in 903 against

952-517: A few years later – in 1387 – Syunik was invaded by Tamerlan . Nevertheless, at the close of the 15th century, the province was among the remaining semi-autonomous Armenian princedoms still populated by the local Armenian feudal intelligentsia. In 1403, the Princes Smbat and Burtel were captured and exiled to Samarkand. However, they were liberated soon and re-appointed as the rules of the lands under their control. In that period, Syunik fell under

1071-590: A literary employee in the Baku magazine "Soviet Writer". During the Great Patriotic War, he served in the navy as a sailor of the Caspian Fleet. Having returned from the 1945-1951 war he worked as a literary employee in the Baku newspaper "Communist" in Armenian. In 1951 he moved to Yerevan . Between 1951 and 1954 he worked as the head of the department in the Yerevan newspaper "Avangard", and between 1954 and 1955 he

1190-476: A request for help in the Armenian national liberation movement. Israel Ori was the first leader to opt for a Russian orientation. In 1701, he headed to Moscow to introduce to King Peter I his consideration on the liberation of Armenia (with the engagement of the armed formations of Syunik and Artsakh, as well as Russian support) and gain promises of a collaboration. In 1711, Israel Ori died without carrying his task to completion (see also Persian Campaign of Peter

1309-571: A result of interethnic violence. This exodus of Azeri population made Syunik and Armenia, in general, more homogeneous. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Syunik has been a constituent part of the Republic of Armenia. After the independence of Armenia, the 4 rayons of Soviet Syunik were merged during the 1995 administrative reform to form the Syunik Province with the town of Kapan as

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1428-504: Is derived from name of the Urartian sun god Shivini/Siwini (itself a borrowing from the Hittites ), noting the similarity between the names and the high number of sun-related placenames in the historical Syunik region. At various times, the region of present-day Syunik was also known by other names such as Syunia , Sisakan and Zangezur (or Zangadzor ). The region of Syunik geographically

1547-485: Is obligated to provide a "corridor" to Azerbaijan through Syunik and threatened to establish the "corridor" by force if Armenia does not oblige. Prime minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan rejected this, arguing that the ceasefire agreement does not call for a corridor through Syunik but for the general opening of transportation routes between the two countries. Starting on 12 May 2021, Azerbaijani forces crossed several kilometers into Armenian territory in Syunik and occupied

1666-614: Is the provincial center of Kapan, with a population of 43,190. The other urban centres are Goris, Sisian, Kajaran, Meghri, Agarak and Dastakert. With a population of 2,661, the village of Shinuhayr is the largest rural municipality of Syunik. Syunik is almost entirely populated by ethnic Armenians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church . The regulating body of the church is the Diocese of Syunik , currently headed by Rev. Fr. Zaven Yazichyan. The Saint Gregory Cathedral of Goris

1785-543: Is the seat of the diocese. As a result of the administrative reforms took place on 24 November 2015, 17 June 2016 and 9 June 2017, Syunik is currently divided into 8 municipal communities ( hamaynkner ), of which 5 are urban, and 3 are rural: Near the village of Angeghakot in the Sisian Municipality is located the prehistoric site of Godedzor that goes back to about 4000 BC.This was an important centre for obsidian trade in Syunik obsidian. It had links with

1904-480: Is the southernmost province of Armenia . It is bordered by the Vayots Dzor Province to the north, Azerbaijan 's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic exclave to the west, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran to the south. Its capital and largest city is the town of Kapan . The Statistical Committee of Armenia reported its population was 141,771 in the 2011 census, down from 152,684 at the 2001 census. Syunik

2023-400: Is unknown. At first glance, it appears to be the plural of Siwni , the name of the ancient princely dynasty of Syunik (the noble house, like the province, is also alternatively called Sisakan ). Historian Armen Petrosyan has suggested that Syunik is related to the name of the Urartian sun god Shivini /Siwini (itself a borrowing from the Hittites ), noting the similarity between

2142-517: The Armenian language ". Stephen Syunetsi, a local scholar and a theologian, left records about the Syunik dialect of the Armenian language at the close of the 7th century. It is also important to know all the regional dialects of one's own language ... of both Ispir and Syunik and Artsakh in addition to classical Armenian (middle and central) ... After the Byzantine-Sasanian peace pact in 591 , Syunik, along with several other regions of Armenia,

2261-612: The Bolsheviks , successful in the Russian Civil War , pushed deep into the Caucasus. Syunik was one of the last major holdouts of the independent Armenian state whose leaders were eventually expelled by incoming Soviet authorities to Iran. During Sovietization , Syunik became part of Soviet Armenia, while the two other disputed territories, Nakhchivan and Nagorno-Karabakh became part of Soviet Azerbaijan. It then became part of Armenia under

2380-452: The Kura River with Muslims. Chamkor, being near Barda and Ganja , was intended to act as a regional monitoring post. By order of the new Caliph in 862, the imprisoned princes were to be released and allowed to return to their former domains on the condition of becoming Muslim. (However, they all abandoned Islam after their return.) The prince of Western Syunik, Vasak-Gabor, was married to

2499-689: The Russo-Persian War of 1804–13 , Syunik -along with the rest of Karabakh Khanate - passed into Imperial Russian possession, officially signed in the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813. The khanate was abolished by the Russian government in 1822. The region was divided between the Erivan Governorate , and Baku Governorate (known as Shemakha Governorate until 1859). When the Elisabethpol Governorate

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2618-683: The Transcaucasian SFSR and part of the Armenian SSR in 1936. Under Soviet rule, Syunik suffered a devastating earthquake in April 1931, leaving 80% of its villages destroyed. A subsequent earthquake hit the region in May during the same year, destroying 27 of 38 villages in the Sisian district. As an administrative unit, modern-day Syunik was divided into the raions of Meghri, Kapan, Goris and Sisian. Despite

2737-519: The 12th century onwards, the Armenian intellectual elite, uniting its efforts with the Georgian Kingdom and relying on the Armenian population's support, embarked on the expulsion of the Sekjuks form Eastern Armenia and the major part of Central Armenia. As early as in 1196, Gegharkunik was liberated. In 1211, Armenian-Georgian troops, led by Zakare and Ivane Zakaryan, liberated the entire Syunik from

2856-645: The 18th century, Armenia and the adjacent regions repeatedly became an arena of war between the Ottoman Empire and Iran. The 1555 Peace Treaty of Amasya , which ended the four-decade-long war, redefined Eastern Armenia as part of the Safavid dynasty. In 1590, it passed under Ottoman control but was returned to the Safavids in 1639 subject to the terms of the Qasr-e-Shirin Treaty. Between the 16th and 17th centuries,

2975-569: The 6th century, the Byzantine historian Procopius refers to the inhabitants of the province as Sounitai . In the Ravenna Cosmography ( c.  700 ), Syunik is referred to in Latin as Siania Caucasorum . In Georgian sources, Syunik is typically called Sivnieti , while Arabic sources knew it as Sisajan , borrowed from Persian. The ultimate etymology of the name Syunik

3094-494: The 7th century, Syunik was divided into 12 administrative-territorial regions ( gavars ): 9. To the east from Ayrarat - between Yeraskh (Araks) and Artsakh - Syrunik has 12 regions: 1. Alijna , 2. Chaguk, 3. Vayots Dzor, 4. Gelakuni with the sea, 5. Sotk, 6. Agaghechk, 7. Tsgak, 8. Gaband, 9. Bagk or Balk, 10. Dzork, 11. Arevvik, 12. Kusakan. The province is known for such endemic plant species as myrtus, gereri (?) and grenade. It also has many mountainous areas. Ptolemy refers to

3213-567: The Armenian Kingdom of Syunik. "Thus, also that candlestick was extinguished there, marking the beginning of the Persian reign", writes Vardan Areveltsi , a 13th-century Armenian historian. The Seljuk raids had a crucial impact on the Armenian ethnicity. Before the Seljuk invasion, Syunik had an estimated 1,000 settlements, whereas in the late 13th century, the number was reduced by a third. From

3332-715: The Armenian and Tatar populations in the Caucasus, culminating in the Armenian-Tatar massacres . Clashes occurred in Nakhchivan and Sharur-Daralgez uyezdy of the Erevan gubernia and in Zangezur , Shusha and Javanshir uezdy of Elizavetpol gubernia in 1905. According to Armenian sources 128 Armenian and 158 Azerbaijanian villages were "pillaged or destroyed" while the overall estimates of lives lost vary widely, ranging from 3,000 to 10,000, with Muslims suffering higher losses. During these events,

3451-691: The Armenian feudal possessions, i.e. the Melikdoms , were preserved in Syunik and the neighboring Nagorno-Karabakh (with their own armed squadrons) despite the Muslim tribes which had settled on the territory of Eastern Armenia. The most outstanding among them included those owned by Melik -Shahnazar in Gegharkunik, Melik Haykaz in Kashatagh, and Melik-Safraz in Angeghakot . In the early 17th century, Persian King Abbas

3570-620: The Armenian meliks Later, the Orbelian dynasty , one of whose members wrote an important history of the country, governed Syunik in times of Timur (Tamerlan) as vassals. Between the middle of the 18th century and early in the 19th century, the Syunik was part of the Karabakh khanate of the Safavid Empire . It was also ruled by the Ottomans between 1578 and 1606 and again between 1722 and 1736. By

3689-460: The Armenian nation who turned to him for help. The bloodthirsty and ruthless beast, [King Alexan], out of fear - stemming from vain and false suspicions lest all the Armenians head towards his palace in a crowded march eventually leading up to the devastation of all the regions of Iberia (heard especially from the mouths of evil Ishkhans /princes/), gave him poison through an Armenian's husband... Under

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3808-640: The Armenian regions under Persian and Muslim control - gavars located around the Gagarkuni sea, Tashir, Ayrarat, the city of Bjni, Dvin, Anberd, the city of Ani, Kars and Vayots Dzor, the region of Syunik and the fortresses nearby, as well as towns and gavars. Two princedoms – the Orbelians and Proshians (Khaghabakyans) (formerly the Zakaryans' vassals) – were formed there after the region's liberation. The founders of those dynasties received their possessions for merits in

3927-587: The Armenian state anatomy was still preserved. Smbat's successor, Tarsaich Orbelian (1273–1290) concentrated in his hands the entire province, including Vayots Dzor and Gegharkunik. Under Elikum Orbelian (1290–1300), relative peace dominated Syunik as opposed to the other regions of Armenia. His heir, Prince Burtel (ca. 1300–1344), reigned over the region for more than four decades, bringing his contribution to its cultural development. Tokhtamysh , who attacked Armenia in 1380, captivated tens of thousands of Armenians from Syunik, Artsakh and Parskahayk, while just

4046-654: The Armenians of Syunik were massacred "without distinction of sex or age" by Azeri forces, and children were mutilated. Tensions were accelerated with the collapse of the Russian Empire . The region fell under the authority of the Special Transcaucasian Committee of the Russian Provisional Government and subsequently the short-lived Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic . When the TDFR

4165-564: The Bagratid Sembat I , refusing to pay him taxes. Because of this, he was assaulted by the prince of Vaspurakan , Sargis-Ashot. Sembat submitted, was forgiven and married to the sister of the prince of Vaspurakan, receiving the city and district of Nakhchivan , which in 902 was upset with the Kaysites or Qaisids. A few years later, the prince allied with the emir of Sadjid , Yusuf, against Eastern Syunik, which they invaded together. Sembat

4284-620: The Eastern Syunik with the Vayots Dzor, bordered by Vaspurakan. Sahak governed the eastern part until the river Hakar . Babgen governed the district of the Baghk, and Vasak (who died in 922) an indeterminate territory. Nasr, the emir of Azerbaijan , captured territory through perfidy against Babgen and Sahak in Dwin. After the invasion, Sembat unseated Nasr and obtained the freedom of his brothers. Sembat

4403-409: The Great ( Shah Abbas ) populated the lands between Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Syunik with Kurdish tribes (with a goal of undermining and disengaging the regions under the Armenian meliks' rule). When Shah Abbas dispossessed a population of 250,000 during the 1604 Great Sürgün, the residents of Syunik were also deported. A contemporary of the events, Arakel of Tabriz , makes the following remark in

4522-572: The Hakari river (left inflow of the Aras ). In the north-west, Syunik shared a border with lands situated in the direct neighborhood of Ganja, and in the south-west, it bordered on Nakhichevan ( Vaspurakan Province). The north of Syunik comprised Gegharkunik and Sotk which lied on the coast of Lake Sevan . In the south, the territory of Syunik extended to the Aras River. According to Ashkharhatsuyts in

4641-586: The Orbelians were among the influential princedoms of Armenia. Their liberation from the Seljuk hegemony contributed to the cultural development of the district. The Proshyans extended their authority mainly to the Gavars of Gegharkunik in the south-west of Lake Sevan, and Vayots Dzor, holding their residence in the small city of Srkghunk . In 1236, both dynasties were forced to recognize the Mongol authority over them (after

4760-558: The Qara Qoyunlu; Syunik was devastated, and Beshken, with 6,000 liegemen, had to flee to Georgia, having received the Armenian region of Lori from Alexander, his father-in-law. ... The king, hypocritically offering him honor, handed over the Lori Fortress to him. Pious and theopathetic, he established orders with love and similarly treated the poor with love, offering his appeals and gathering them all. He showed reverence and supplied bread, food and clothing to all [the representatives] of

4879-492: The Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation (Rosatom) in the village of Lernadzor . Tourism is among the developing sectors in the economy of Syunik. The towns of Goris and Kapan have a large number of different levels of hotels and inns. Syunik (historical province) Syunik ([Սիւնիք] Error: {{Langx}}: transliteration text not Latin script ( help ) ) was a region of historical Armenia and

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4998-418: The Seljuk yoke. A historian of Syunik, Stephen Orbelian , left the following record in the 13th century: "They made enormous efforts to liberate our country, Armenia, from the Persian yoke ... in 660 (1211), they liberated Syunik, Vorotan and Bkhen." Kirakos Gandzaketsi , another historian of the same century, adds: ... they stood out with a great valor during the battles. They conquered and seized most of

5117-518: The Sotk region as Sodukena (from the ancient Greek Σοδουκην ) in the following record: "The regions of Armenia at the junction of the rivers Euphrates, Kir ad Aras; here's the essence: Kotarzen – near the Moschian Mountains, above the so-called "heavenly creatures" (?), Tosarensk (?) and Otene – along the river Kir, Koltensk (?) – along the river Aras, and Sodukensk – below it; Sirekan and Sakasensk at

5236-457: The Turkic invasions of the 11th to 14th centuries. The name Syunik is ancient and appears in the earliest Armenian written sources. Sisakan , a later name for the province of Iranian origin, first appears in the 6th-century Syriac chronicle of Pseudo-Zacharias ; it is first mentioned in Armenian sources in the history of Movses Khorenatsi , who explains this name as deriving from Sisak ,

5355-547: The Zangezur Sanctuary. Major water basins include the rivers of Vorotan , Voghji , Sisian , Meghri and Vachagan . Summer temperature can reach up to 40 °C (104 °F), although the average temperature is around 22 °C (72 °F), while in winter it may reach down to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F). Its border with Nakhchivan to the west is defined by the Zangezur Mountains. The Meghri mountain ridge at

5474-559: The adversary's victory. It was apparently from that moment on that the Siwnis committed themselves also to the defense of the Derbent fortress, thereby reinforcing the positions of the princes of Syunik. The princes descending from the Siunia dynasty were among the more influential Armenian kingdoms. Movses Khorenatsi localizes the royal family's possessions "at the eastern end, along the borders of

5593-521: The ancient Armenian state, the prince of Syunik ranked the first among the Armenian aristocrats in the royal palace. In the early 4th century, Syunik was Christianized along with the rest of Armenia. The princes of Syunik, together with other Armenian magnates, accompanied Gregory the Illuminator to Caesarea for holy orders . After the Peace of Acilisene concluded in 387 A.D., Syunik remained part of

5712-504: The area around Lake Sev in Syunik, precipitating a border crisis between Armenia and Azerbaijan . On 10 November 2021 it was announced the alternate Goris-Kapan highway completely within Armenia's borders was completed. In 1989, the Syunik Province (then part of the Sisian , Goris , Meghri , and Kapan districts in 1930–1995) had a population of 141,501. 66,170 or 46.76% of which was urban, divided into Goris (23,795) and Kapan (42,375), and 75,331 or 53.24% were rural, distributed into

5831-495: The beginning of the 18th century, Syunik was associated with the Armenian military leader David Bek , who led the liberation campaign of the Armenians of Syunik against Safavid Persia and the invading Ottoman Turks. David Bek started his battles in 1722 with the help of thousands of local Armenian patriots who liberated Syunik. The centre of David Bek's struggle was the Baghaberd Fortress northwest of Kapan and Halidzor Fortress southwest of Kapan where he died in 1728. Following

5950-404: The cantons of the Vayots Dzor and Baghk . Sahak governed the western canton of Syunik, known as Gegharkunik . In 826, Sahak allied with his ancient enemy – Sevada, the Qaisite emir of Manazkert – against the governor of Caliph , but he was defeated and died in Kavakert . His son Grigor-Sufan succeeded him as prince of Western Syunik. In the Eastern region, Philipo died on 10 August 848. He

6069-549: The collections "On high"«Բարձունքի վրա» (1955), "Nairyan Dalar Bardi"«Նաիրյան դալար բարդի» (1958), "Armenia in Songs"«Հայաստանը երգերի մեջ» (1962), "Before sunset"«Մայրամուտից առաջ» (1964), "Song of stones" Քարափների երգը (1968). In 1972 the collection "Open Sesame" was published, for which Sahyan was awarded the State Prize of the Armenian SSR . During the 1970s and 1980s the collections "Evening bread" «Իրիկնահաց» (1977), "Green-red autumn" «Կանաչ-կարմիր աշուն» (1980) and "Mint flower" «Դաղձի ծաղիկ» (1986) were also published. In 1998,

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6188-411: The control of their main rivals, the united nomadic tribes identifying themselves as Aq Qoyunlu (White Sheep Turkomans). In 1501, the Aq Qoyunlus' state was overtaken by the Qizilbash led by Ismail Safavid , the founder of the Safavid Persia (which gained control over all the territorial conquests by the Aq Qoyunlus). Due to the Ottoman expansion spanning from the 16th century until the first half of

6307-548: The depths of images. Hamo Sahyan's poetry continues to nourish readers, heals their wounded nerves and souls. Razmik Davoyan This article about an Armenian poet is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a translator from Armenia is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Syunik Province Syunik ( Armenian : Սյունիք , Armenian pronunciation: [sjuˈnikʰ] )

6426-407: The dissolution of the Kingdom of Armenia in 428 A.D, Syunik was integrated into Sasanian Armenia in the Marzpanate period. The Sasanians appointed Prince Vasak Siwni as the ruler of the entire Armenian state. During the 451 Battle of Avarayr , Vasak Siwni failed to stand up for the defense of the Armenian troops led by Vardan Mamikonian and took sides with the Persians, his move predetermining

6545-445: The district of Dzoluk . He then called for help from the Persian revolutionary chief Babak Khorramdin , who married a daughter of the king. After the death of Vasak III in 821, Babak inherited the country that revolted against him. Babak suppressed the revolt but was harassed by both Muslims and Armenians. Finally, he abdicated and the children of Vasak, Philip and Sahak, regained power. Philip controlled over eastern Syunik, including

6664-405: The districts of Sisian (29,768), Goris (17,979), Meghri (14,341), and Kapan (13,243). According to the 2011 official census, Syunik has a population of 141,771 (69,836 men and 71,935 women), forming around 4.7% of the entire population of Armenia. The urban population is 95,170 (67.13%) and the rural is 46,601 (32.87%). The province has 7 urban and 102 rural communities. The largest urban community

6783-430: The east of Syunik, which had been under Armenian control since the First Nagorno-Karabakh War , came under Azerbaijani control, lengthening the province's border with Azerbaijan and creating fears about the province's security. In one border settlement in Syunik, Shurnukh , 12 houses came under the control of Azerbaijan after being found to be located on the Azerbaijani side of the border. Additionally, several parts of

6902-421: The eastern border of Lake Sevan . Gardman's prince (ichkhan) Ketridj or Ketritchn betrayed him and delivered him to Bogha (859). Achot was also seized (859). But Bogha invaded Gardman and imprisoned Kertridj. He then went to Outi where he captured the prince of Sevordiq , Stephannos Kun. The Caliphate tried to control all these regions, and for this reason, Bogha decided to repopulate the city of Chamkor in

7021-524: The extreme south of Armenia used to be home to the endangered Caucasian leopard . However, only one was detected by camera trap between August 2006 and April 2007, and no signs of other leopards were found during track surveys conducted over an area of 296.9 km (114.6 sq mi). The local prey base could support 4–10 individuals, but poaching and disturbance caused by livestock breeding, gathering of edible plants and mushrooms, deforestation and human-induced wildfires are so high that they exceed

7140-438: The fall of the Kingdom of Ani in 1045. Despite the Seljuk invasions led by Arp Aslan in the mid-11th century, Syunik, along with Tashir , remained invincible unlike most other regions of Armenia. After death of Grigor I (about 1072), the last remaining heir to the throne, Senekerim, became the King of Syunik, his authority being affirmed by Sultan Malik Shah I of the Seljuk Empire . Shortly afterwards, however, Senekerim

7259-434: The foot of Mounts Sirekan and Sakasensk". From 189 B.C. onwards, Syunik was part of the Kingdom of Greater Armenia which was ruled by representatives of the Artaxiad dynasty . Inscriptions by King Artashes I have been found on the territory of Syunik. Starting in at least the 3rd century B.C., Syunik was ruled by representatives of the ancient Armenian Siunia dynasty identifying themselves as descendants of Hayk ,

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7378-425: The fortress of Vorotan and a year later Bghen. Below are Stephen Orbelian's recounts of the events: A thick fog broke over the Armenian nation. All the churches of Armenia and Christianity plunged into mourning, Yet, Baghaberd, Geghi, Kakaverd, Shlorut, Karchavavan, Meghri and Krkham remained untouched thanks to the grandsons of Ashot, King Grigor, and Smbat. In 1126, Kapan and the region of Arevik were devastated by

7497-407: The great prince of Syunik diminutively referred to as Ishkhanik (little prince), obeyed the Prince of Princes, Ashot with an irrevocable discretion, tacit modesty and totally of his own will. He closely heeded his advice in just the same way as he respected the law, keeping it all in his heart. In 885, Syunik formed part of Bagratid Armenia . An early 10th-century Arab author, Istakhri , referred to

7616-487: The help of princes Vaghinak and Vasak Siwni to teach the new Armenian scripts to his apprentices. Afterwards, he left for Syunakan, a region bordering on (Goghtn). There he received the God-loving and docile acceptance of Vaghinak, the prince of Syunik. While travelling across the province, he (Mashtots) benefited from his great assistance in the realization of the task set before him. There are also available records left by Stephen Orbelian , an historian of Syunik. After

7735-607: The important highway between Goris and Kapan came under Azerbaijani control. The ninth point of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement that ended the 2020 war stated that "All economic and transport connections in the region shall be unblocked. The Republic of Armenia shall guarantee the security of transport connections between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in order to arrange unobstructed movement of persons, vehicles and cargo in both directions." The president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev insists that this means that Armenia

7854-399: The latter's invasion of Armenian lands). In 1251, Smbat Orbelian obtained the right inju from the Mongol royal palace. Those rights were retained also by Hulagu Khan and his successors. The lands under Stephen Orbelyan's control extended to the borders of Nakhichivan and those owned by the younger branch of the princedom covered the shore of Sevan. Thanks to the rulers, as well as

7973-477: The legendary patriarch and founder of the Armenian nation . The story was recounted by Movses Khorenatsi in his 5th-century History of Armenia . To the east, along the borders of the Armenian language (he appointed) two governors - ten-thousanders - from the noble families of Sisakan and Kadmean (?) ... The first known Nakharar ruler was Vaghinak Siak (c. 330) and his successor was his brother Andok or Andovk (Antiochus, c. 340). In 379 Babik (Bagben)

8092-431: The mountainous region as a part of Soviet Armenia. After the conflict, Garegin Nzhdeh, his soldiers, and many prominent Armenian intellectuals, including leaders of the Republic of Armenia , crossed the border into the neighbouring city of Tabriz in Persia. Thus, Syunik became part of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic in July 1921. Armenian forces eventually secured the region but their efforts were in vain when

8211-402: The name of one of the descendants of the legendary Armenian progenitor Hayk . Strabo mentions a region of Armenia called Phaunitis , which some scholars read as * Saunitis and connect with Syunik. If Phaunitis is not to be identified with Syunik, then the earliest mention of the name in Greek sources is by Eusebius in the 4th century, who refers to it as Saunia . Later, in

8330-420: The names and the high number of sun-related placenames in the region. Robert H. Hewsen writes that Syunik is probably identical with the place name Ṣuluqū mentioned in Urartian cuneiform inscriptions. Syunik was a big region in the east of historical Armenia. In the west and north-west, it bordered on the Ayrarat Province; in the east, the natural border between Syunik and Artsakh passed through

8449-413: The neighboring gavar . In 904, King Smbat I , in an attempt to undermine the princedom of Vaspurakan , handed over Nakhichivan to Syunik. Upon the demand of the Artsrunis , the rulers of Vaspurakan at the time, the Sajid emir, Yusuf, attacked Armenia in 909 and, devastating settlements and fortresses across Syunik, annexed Alinja to his possessions. After the death of sovereign Ashot, (ca. 909), Syunik

8568-473: The next Qara Qoyunlu leader, Jahan Shah (reign: 1436–1467), the feudals of Syunik and Vayots Dzor obtained control over several regions and were even granted permission to use the title ishkhan . In the meantime, Jahan Shah sought the Armenians' support in the fight against his enemies. Yet those princes no longer enjoyed great authority. After Jahan Shah's death, the Qara Qoyunlus' possessions passed under

8687-483: The ninth province ( nahang ) of the Kingdom of Armenia from 189 BC until 428 AD. From the 7th to 9th centuries, it fell under Arab control. In 821, it formed two Armenian principalities: Kingdom of Syunik and principality of Khachen , which around the year 1000 was proclaimed the Kingdom of Artsakh , becoming one of the last medieval eastern Armenian kingdoms and principalities to maintain its autonomy following

8806-565: The office as prime minister while Nzhdeh became the governor and the general commander. Nzhdeh actively engaged in expelling the 3/5th Azerbaijani population of Zangezur. Between April and July 1921, the Red Army conducted massive military operations in the region, attacking Syunik from the north and east. After months of fierce battles with the Red Army, the Republic of Mountainous Armenia capitulated in July 1921 following Soviet Russia's promises to keep

8925-518: The place name Sisijan , which he said was situated on the roadway connecting Bardva with Dvin (the Armenian Highlands, the kingdom of Smbat and Ashot I). Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus addressed his officials letters "to the Prince of Syne, Armenia; to the Prince of Vaitzor, Armenia". In the early 10th century, the sovereigns of Syunik attempted to take possession of Nakichivan,

9044-507: The power of Qara Qoyunlus (Black Sheep Turkomans), a united Turkish nomadic tribe who were later replaced by the Aq Qoyunlu rulers. The invasion of Mongol ilkhans , especially the Qara Koyunlu and Ak Qoyunlu tribes, had severe consequences: with the powerful forces disintegrated, a part of the population was looted and annihilated, and cultural monuments were destroyed. The local population

9163-508: The prince Varaz-Terdat II (of the Persian dynasty Mihrakane of Aghuania) in Morgog. A general sent by the Caliph , Bugha al-Kabir , destroyed Armenia and Aghuania in these years and sent a detachment to Eastern Syunik where was governing Vasak IV with his brother Achot. The people of Syunik were sheltered in the fortress of Balq, but Vasak fled to Kotaiq, and was pursued to the region of Gardman on

9282-434: The province extended to the south of the gavar of Balk, with the rights of the sovereign being bestowed upon Prince Smbat (the grandson of Ashot Siwni). The latter, taking advantage of the undermined Armenian statehood, in 978 proclaimed Syunik an independent kingdom. "They crowned Smbat, the Armenian and the superb husband, the paramount leader of Syunik," Stephen Orbelian writes. A year later, however, he had to acknowledge

9401-539: The province in the status of a protector. Later the same year, Syunik was invaded by the Arab forces; however, Prince Vasak managed to clear the region of Arabs by seeking aid from Babak Khorramdin , the Khurramites' leader. The subsequent war with the Khurramites (826–827) left the gavar s of Balk (south of Syunik) and Gegharkunik (vicinity of Lake Sevan) devastated. After Vasak Siwni's demise, his sons, Philip and Sahak, ruled

9520-466: The province. The former became the ruler of Eastern Syunik and Vayots Dzor and the latter the ruler of Western Syunik and the founder of the family of Haykazuns (who reigned over Gegharkunik). Between 831–832 Syunik was involved in the rebellions against the Arab vicegerent, Hall. In 853 the province was invaded by Bugha al-Kabir , an Arab commander; Princes Vasak Ishkhanik and Ashot were taken captive and sent to Samarra . Before Vasak Ishkanik's return,

9639-402: The provincial capital. Being the republic's southernmost province, it has gained a strategic and economic importance for Armenia. The border with Iran enhanced the export of vital energy resources from Armenia to Iran and other regions. Recently, a new 140-kilometer-long Armenia-Iran pipeline has been opened, projected to supply Armenia with up to 1.1 billion m of gas per year until 2019, when

9758-512: The region's troubled early years in the Soviet Union , it gradually began to recover with much of the area's infrastructure rebuilt and improved. During the Soviet era, Syunik was noted as a source of metal and ore production. However, the region was shaken by the renewal of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh with neighbouring Azerbaijan. In 1987–1989, the remaining Azeri inhabitants fled the region as

9877-499: The right to immunity, the conditions in that part of Armenia were relatively tolerable, which in turn promoted economic and cultural life across the region. A glaring example is the most prominent institution of higher learning of the time, the University of Gladzor , which functioned here. Meantime, the region also became the main stronghold of the national and state establishment across the entire territory of historical Armenia where

9996-596: The sites located as far as Lake Urmia in Iran such as Yanik Tepe and Dalma Tepe . The sites of interest in this area include, Around 74% (3,336 km ) of the total area of the province are arable lands , out of which 13.2% (440 km ) are ploughed. The rural population is mainly involved in agriculture and cattle-breeding. The province contributes 6.5% of the annual agricultural product of Armenia. The main crops are grains, dry grains, potatoes and vegetables. The village of Angeghakot has fish farming ponds, while

10115-640: The son of Andok was re-established as a Naxarar by the Mamikonian family. Babik had a sister called Pharantzem who had married the Arsacid Prince Gnel , nephew of the Armenian King Arsaces II (Arshak II) and later married Arsaces II as her second husband. Babik's rule lasted for less than ten years and by about 386 or 387, Dara was deposed by the Sassanid Empire . Valinak (c. 400–409)

10234-508: The south separates Syunik from Iran . Syunik covers an area of 4,506 km (1740 sq. mi.) (15% of total area of Armenia), making it the second-largest province in Armenia after Gegharkunik in terms of the total area. Historically, the current territory of the province occupies most of the historic Syunik province of Ancient Armenia. Syunik is a mountainous region, mainly covered with thick green forests. The Zangezur Mountains occupy most of

10353-499: The sovereign of Gegharkunik was Vasak Gabur. "At that time, Ishkhanats Ishkhan (Prince of Princes) Ashot appointed Vasak Haykazn (also known as Gabur) the Prince of Syunik, giving him a royal honor ...". In the run-up to the rebellion by the centralized Armenian state, Syunik was one of the three major political units of Armenia (along with the Artsruni and Bagratuni dynasties). The Siunia dynasty supported Ashot I upon ascension to

10472-462: The target of the supply is expected to rise to 2.3 billion m annually." The new pipeline attracted Armenia's northern neighbor Georgia, seeking to lessen its dependence on energy from Russia. In 2000, an old cemetery was found between the villages of Kornidzor and Khndzoresk near Goris. It was built during the Kara Koyunlu rule. As a result of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War , the territories to

10591-784: The territory of Syunik. Mount Kaputjugh with a height of 3905 meters (12,812') and Mount Gazanasar with a height of 3829 meters (12,562') are the highest peaks of the province. Many of the forests in Syunik are protected by the government, including the Arevik National Park , the Shikahogh State Reserve , the Boghakar Sanctuary, the Goris Sanctuary, the Plane Grove Sanctuary, the Sev Lake Sanctuary, and

10710-516: The throne sometime later. Sembat, with his three brothers Sahak, Babgen, and Vasak, governed again. Also in Western Syunik, Sahak, Ashot and Vasak, brothers of Grigor-Sufan II, were governing the country. After them the dynasty of Western Syunik became extinct and the territory was subsumed by the Muslims. The eastern part remained divided: Sembat, which had the main title, governed the western part of

10829-554: The throne, recognizing his reign over Syunik. In 875 B.C., Grigor Supan II and Vasak Ishkhanik took part in the assembly of the Armenian intellectuals convened upon the initiative of George II of Armenia (who proposed the Khalif to bring Ashot II to the Armenian throne). Vasak Ishkhanik acknowledged the Vassal dependence on Ashot Bagratuni, the Prince of Princes. In an early X century record, Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsi wrote: However, Vasak,

10948-431: The title of Shah-i-Armen (King of Armenians), as well as appointed an ethnic Armenian advisor, Rustam, who was Prince Beshken Orbelian's son. Between 1425 and 1430, Rustam was the governor of Ayrarat, with Yerevan being the center of the province. His authority extended to Syunik which was ruled by his father (still holding the title of "prince of princes"). However, in 1435, as Shah Rukh launched his third raid against

11067-481: The tolerance of the leopards. During surveys in 2013–2014, camera traps recorded leopards in 24 locations in southern Armenia, of which 14 are located in the Zangezur Mountains. Inscriptions found in the region around Lake Sevan attributed to King Artaxias I confirm that the historic province of Syunik was part of the Artaxiad Kingdom of Armenia during the 2nd century BC. The first dynasty to rule Syunik

11186-552: The troops of Amir Kharon. In 1152, the Seljuks invaded the Fortress of Shlorut, and in 1157 the Fortress of Meghri. Between 1166 and 1169, Shams al-Din Ildeniz , Eldigüz, the Seljuk atabek at the time, annexed the fortresses of Grgham, Geghi, Kakavaberd and Kanots to his possessions. In 1170, Baghaberd was invaded, with over 10,000 Armenian manuscripts being burnt, thereby closing the chapter on

11305-401: The vassal Kingdom of Armenia. The division of the Armenian statehood between Byzantine and Persia drastically reduced Armenia's territory. In the second half of the 390s, Mesrop Mashtots , a great Armenian enlightener and scholar, engaged in enlightening Alinja, a gavar in the Syunik province, and after the invention of the Armenian alphabet in 406, he opened the first schools there with

11424-525: The vassal dependence upon the Bagratid Armenia. Both before and after the formation of the vassal Kingdom of Syunik, the paramount leaders of the region took part in all the politico-military actions of the Armenian statehood (974, 998, 1003, 1040 ), remaining true to the Bagratids' allies. In the early 990s, King Gagik I annexed the sovereign possession of Vayots Dzor while uniting Armenian lands under

11543-405: The village of Achanan is home to a poultry farm. Syunik is among the main contributing provinces in the industrial sector of Armenia. It has a share of 17% of the annual total industrial product of Armenia. The economy is of the province is mainly based on the industrial sector, including mining, building materials production and food-processing. The prospect of a uranium mine being exploited by

11662-468: The war against the Seljuks. The Orbelians in Syunik traced their ancestral roots to Liparit, Elikum's son, while Vasak descended from the from Khakhbakyan dynasty who came from the neighboring Armenian region of Khachen. As recounted by Kirakos, a 13th-century historian, "They were natives of Khachen, people of noble origin. adherents of the Christian creed and Armenians by nationality". Enthroned in Syunik,

11781-459: The withdrawal. Hrant Matevosyan This poet, Hamo Sahyan, comes from quails that fell in one of the Zangezur gorges. No, these are not just landscapes that Sagyan brought to our poetry, in the folds of these landscapes, in his largest layers, there is a movement of a just and kind, great and noble soul, the whole history of the soul, and a true poem is nothing more than the history of the soul hidden in

11900-537: Was again the head of the department in the magazine "Vozni". Between 1965 and 1967, he was the editor-in-chief of Literaturnaya Gazeta. In the following decades, he was mainly engaged in literary work. The first collection of poems by Sahyan, entitled "On the Edge of the Gate" «Որոտանի եզերքին» was published in 1946. In recent years, the cult of Stalin's personality has published three unsuccessful poetry collections. Later he published

12019-657: Was called Siounia Caucasiana in the 5-6th century by the Ravenna Cosmography . Syunik is located between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan from the west, and districts of Lachin , Qubadli and Zangilan of Azerbaijan from the east. It was bordered on the east by Kashatagh Province of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic between 1992 and 2020. The Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia forms its northern border, while Aras River at

12138-418: Was deposed by the Sassanid Empire . Valinak (c. 400–409) was followed by Vasak (409–452). Vasak had two sons: Babik (Bagben), Bakur and a daughter who married Vasak's successor, Varazvahan (452–472). Varazvahan's son Gelehon ruled from 470 to 477, who died in 483. Babik (Bagben) the brother of Varazvahan became the new nakharar in 477. Hadz the brother of Gelehon died on 25 September 482. The Syunik Province

12257-763: Was dissolved in May 1918, Zangezur, Nakhchivan , and Nagorno-Karabakh became heavily contested between the newly formed and short-lived states of the Republic of Armenia and the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic . At the time, Syunik had an Armenian majority of 350,000 and a Muslim population of 180,000. According to Thomas de Waal , the dispute over Syunik resulted in the displacement of region's Caucasian Tatar minority through direct military action by Armenian guerrilla commanders Andranik , Rouben Ter Minassian and later Garegin Nzhdeh . Between 1918 and 1920 Syunik

12376-412: Was divided into two princedoms between his sons. Prince Smbat came into possession of Western Syunik (Chaguk) and his brother, Sahak of the eastern part, the region of Balk along the river Akera. During the reign of King Ashot II , the northern part of Syunik – along Lake Sevan (to the north of Vardenis ridge) – was united to the estates of the Bagratid family. From 970 until 980 the political center of

12495-531: Was established in 1868, the region became part of the Zangezursky Uyezd , with its administration based in the town of Geryusy starting from 1870. According to the official census of the Russian Empire in 1897, the total population of Zangezursky Uyezd was 137,971, with 51.6% of them were Caucasian Tatars and 46,1% were Armenians. The beginning of 20th century saw an outbreak in ethnic tensions between

12614-532: Was followed by Vasak (409–452). Vasak had two sons: Babik (Bagben), Bakur and a daughter who married Vasak's successor, Varazvahan (452–472). Varazvahan's son Gelehon ruled from 470–477, who died in 483. Babik (Bagben) the brother of Varazvahan became the new Naxarar in 477. Hadz the brother of Gelehon died on September 25, 482. The Syunik Province was later governed by Vahan (c. 570), Philip (Philipo, c. 580), Stephen (Stephanos, c. 590–597), Sahak (Isaac, c. 597) and Grigor (Gregory, until 640). Syunik

12733-493: Was followed by his son Grigor of Syunik and Aghuania , who governed until 1166 when the country was conquered by the Seljuq Turks. It was ruled by Seljuks of Hamadan , Atabegs of Azerbaijan , Kingdom of Georgia , Khwarezmshahs , Ilkhanate , Chupanids , Jalayirids , Kara Koyunlu , Timurid Empire and Aq Qoyunlu successively before Safavid rule. It mostly had autonomous rule and was for some periods fully independent under

12852-410: Was followed by his son Vasak, and Sahak in turn by his son Sembat. Vasak received the royal title from the Muslims at the end of his reign, which lasted until 963. The throne was inherited by his nephew Sembat (963–998) who was recognized as king by the emirs of Tauris and of Arran . He was married to the princess of Aghuania, Chahandoukht . At his death, he was followed by Vasak (c. 998–1019). Vasak

12971-524: Was included in the short-lived Republic of Armenia . After the Sovietization of Armenia, Syunik became the main centre of the resistance against the Bolsheviks, thus becoming part of the unrecognized Republic of Mountainous Armenia . The city of Goris became the capital of the unrecognized state, and Garegin Nzhdeh was chosen as prime minister and minister of defence. Later, in July, Simon Vratsian took

13090-509: Was killed, presumably by the Emir of the Shaddadids . The latter, according to a medieval historian "cheated the Armenian king into death, seizing the land of Syunik". Afterwards, the territory of Syunk, like a range of other regions of Armenia, passed, little by little, under Seljuk control. In early 1103, the Seljuks, led by Chortman, destroyed Kapan, the kingdom's capital city. In 1104, they invaded

13209-502: Was later governed by Vahan (c. 570), Philip (Philipo, c. 580), Stephen (Stephanos, c. 590–597), Sahak (Isaac, c. 597) and Grigor (Gregory, until 640). A dynasty was formed, governed by a branch of the Bagratuni , with minor vassal princes from one or more previous dynasties. Vasak III (c. 800) suffered an assault from the emir of Manazkert , Sevada. He established a garrison in Chalat , in

13328-449: Was one of the 15 provinces of the Kingdom of Armenia . The early Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi connected the name of the province with Sisak , a descendant of the legendary Armenian patriarch Hayk and supposed progenitor of the ancient Siunia (or Syunik) dynasty , which ruled Syunik from the first century CE. However, historian Robert Hewsen considered Sisak to be a later eponym. Historian Armen Petrosyan suggested that Syunik

13447-414: Was one of the most powerful houses of nakharars in ancient Armenia. Ancient records which have survived to the present bear vivid evidence. Thus, according to Zoranamak , a state register regulating the quantity and order of military troops in the ancient states, the province of Syunik displayed its cavalry designed for 9,400 chevaliers in wartime. According to Gahnamak , a register of noble families in

13566-516: Was recognized as part of the Sasanian Dynasty. With the onset of the Arab invasion in the early 8th century, the Armenian Syunik, along with Eastern Georgia and the territory of the former Sasanian Albania, was integrated into one of the regions of Armaniya, a vicegerency also known as Ostikanate of Arminiya . From 821 onwards, a larger part of Syunik belonged to Vasak Siwni, who ruled

13685-449: Was robbed of its lands which later became home to the nomad re-settlers; a part of the Armenian population was forced into exile from the historic homeland. In 1410, Qara Yusuf , the Qara Qoyunlu leader, appropriated Smbat Orbelian's possessions, forcing the latter to flee to Georgia with his sons Ivane, Beshken and Shah. In 1417, Ivane and Pashken were re-appointed as rulers of the lands under their control. According to Tovmen Motspatsi,

13804-507: Was sheltered in the fortress of Erendchak (today Alinja , northeast of Nakhchivan) and Yusuf remained owner of Eastern Syunik. Sembat requested refuge from his brother-in-law Khatchik-Gagik , which was granted. In the same year (909), the prince of Western Syunik, Grigor Sufan II, submitted to the emir Yusuf in Dwin . Only Byzantine movements and the withdrawal of the Sadjids permitted him to recover

13923-495: Was succeeded by three children ( Babgen , Vasak-Ichkhanik and Achot ) that ruled jointly. Babgen fought with Grigor-Sufan and killed him (sometime in 849–851) but Babgen died shortly after (851) and Vasak-Ichkhanik (Vasak IV) followed him. Vasak-Ichkhanik had peaceful relations with Vasak-Gabor , who had ascended to the throne of Western Syunik, replacing his father Grigor-Sufan. Nerseh Pilippean , brother of Babgen, directed (822–23) an expedition to Aghuania defeating and killing

14042-489: Was succeeded by two nephews (the children of his sister and a Prince Achot) called Sembat and Grigor (1019–1084). During his periods Syunik was vassal of Great Seljuk Empire . Grigor was married with the princess Chahandoukht, daughter of Sevada of Aghuania . The only successor to the two princes, was a daughter of Grigor's called Chahandoukht . Rule passed to the prince of Aghuania, Seneqerim Ioan who governed both territories from 1084 until his death in 1105. Seneqerim Ioan

14161-602: Was the Siunia dynasty , beginning in the 1st century. The first known nakharar ruler was Valinak Siak (c. 330) and his successor was his brother Andok or Andovk (Antiochus, c. 340). In 379, Babik (Bagben) the son of Andok, was re-established as a nakharar by the Mamikonian family. Babik had a sister called Pharantzem who had married the Arsacid Prince Gnel , nephew of the Armenian King Arsaces II (Arshak II) and later married Arsaces II as her second husband. Babik's rule lasted for less than ten years and by about 386 or 387, Dara

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