00:24, 11 May 2003

Bagrateeds

Armenian Bagrateeds, Bagratuni - an ancient influential princely family in Armenia. The first data about Bagrateeds concerned to the I century B.C. Under arabs, in VIII-IX centuries, Bagrateeds gradually seized mostly Armenia. A nucleus of their possession became Shirak. Bagrateeds got a post of "prince of pronces" of Armenia and headed a struggle against arabs for the independence of Armenia. In 886 year Ashot I Bagrateed became a king. In 961 year Ani became the capital of the empire. Imperial dynasty of Bafrateeds reached its maximum bloom in the 2nd part of X - the beginning of XI centuries under Ashot III, Smbat II and Gagik I. In 1045 after capture of Armenia by Byzantium the Bagrateeds existence stopped.