[22] In the year 498 A.E. [1049] during the reign of Monomachus, two military commanders with numerous troops arose at the order of Sultan Tughril [Tughril-Beg, 1055-1063] and came against the land of the Armenians. This occurred because the Byzantines had removed the valiant fighting men of the Armenians and put eunuch military commanders in their places, wanting to keep the Eastern land [protected] by them. As soon as the foreigners learned that the land was lordless, they came and camped against the city called Artsn. They observed that [the city] was unwalled and very full of treasure and people, and they began to war against it. The citizens arose and the two sides waged a fierce battle, since [the inhabitants] had neither help from any source nor a place to flee to. Thus they hoped for death [in battle], were defeated by the huge multitude of the foreigners, and fled. The foreigners attacked the city with their swords and filled the squares up [g44] with corpses, putting everyone to the sword and loading up with treasures of gold and silver. In that city resided a corepiscopus named David. When [the Saljuqs] took his treasures, forty camels and eighty oxen [yoked in groups] of six [were required] to cart it out of his home. There were seven hundred magnificent and gorgeous churches in the city of Artsn which the nation of impiety put to the sword, while distinguished women and their children were taken in captivity to the land of Persia. This was the beginning of the destruction of the land of the Armenians. Now when Monomacus heard the evil news of this [event], he sent troops to the East and designated as military commander Grigor Pahlawuni magistros, son of Vasak, and Kame'n and the brave Liparit, brother of R'at, to preserve the land from the enemy. The same year Monomachus wrote to Lord Petros, kat'oghikos of the Armenians, summoning him. [Petros] went gladly, placing on his throne Lord Xach'atur, the son of his sister. He also secretly removed the holy oil (miwr'on) during the night and placed it in iron vessels which he buried in the river, so that the church of Armenia not be denied the blessed oil. Then Lord Petros set out for Constantinople with the knights of his House, three hundred soldiers, one hundred and twenty bishops, priests, deacons, vardapets, scribes and musicians and two hundred attendants. The city was stirred up and went forth to meet him, gloriously leading him to St. Sophia [g45] where the emperor and the patriarch met him. Then the emperor ordered that he be lodged in a dignified dwelling and given expenses for his needs. [23] On the second day the blessed patriarch, Lord Petros, went into the emperor's presence. The latter arose before [Petros], greeted him and seated him on a golden throne. As soon as Lord Petros arose from the golden chair, Lord Eghise' took it, while the emperor's attendants were unable to stop this. The emperor asked the reason, and they replied: "Oh emperor, henceforth this is the patriarchal throne, and no one else should sit on it." The emperor agreed and allowed [Petros'] attendants to take it, and thereafter, day by day, the blessed patriarch grew in splendor in the midst of the Byzantines. He remained in Constantinople for four years, after which they sent him to the land of the Armenians with great gifts from the emperor and the [Byzantine] patriarch. They also made Lord Petros' sister's son, Lord Step'anne', a syncellus and gave expensive gifts to his knights. But Lord Petros was not able to enter Ani; rather, he resided in Sebastia in great glory by the clan of Senek'erim. When the Byzantine military commander, Grigor Magistros, about whom we spoke earlier, and the others reached the East they went to Kaputr'u and descended to Arjovit. There they heard that the forces of Turks were encamped at the edge of the plain. The two sides clashed fiercely [g46]. Liparit valiantly pushed back the troops of the foreigners. But when the Byzantine soldiers observed this they were jealous of him and turned back, leaving him in the midst of the foreigners who seized him and took him to Sultan Tughril in Khorasan. The sultan who had previously learned of [the man's] bravery, freed him with great gifts after two years. [Liparit] then went to Constantinople where Monomachus further exalted him and sent him to his own home. Liparit was the brother of R'at and Zorat of Georgian nationality, and a brave man [g47].

Colophon Remember in Christ the sinful scribe, Vasil

History [from the start] of the year 500 A.E. [1051]. Events that occurred [beginning] in that year.

When the year 500 A.E. [1051] had ended, certain impious and slandering men came to Monomachus [to complain] about the Armenian princes dwelling in the district of Paghin, saying that "they are not obedient to your commands and are planning to rebel from you." And [Monomachus] believed [the slanderers] and sent a military commander with troops to Paghin. He vented his wrath upon the innocent and demoted all the princes from their stations, because the military commander, who was named Peroz, was one of the slanderers. He wanted to arrest the sons of Habel—Harpik, a valiant fighting man, and his brothers Dawit, Kostand, and Lewon. Then each of the princes covertly planned to hole up in his own fortress until the emperor was informed about the destruction of the district. But a certain one of the confederates betrayed his oath and informed Peroz, without the sons of Abel knowing about it. Rather, as they had planned, they fortified themselves into the stronghold of Arkni [near Amida], while their other comrades went to Peroz. [24] Peroz massed against the fortress but was unable to take it, since it was very high up [g48]. So he promised great riches to whomever would bring him Harpak's head. There was a spot near the fortress and across from it where Harpik had come forth with his followers and with great efforts was endeavoring to hold the fortress. Out of fear of the enemy he had not slept for three days. His treacherous comrades said to him: "Why not sleep and rest from your labors, for, lo, we will give our lives for your sake." [Harpak] believed them and lay down to take a brief rest. The someone, like unto Cain, cut off Harpak's head and sent it to Peroz during that night, receiving nothing but curses [for the effort]. Peroz ordered that Harpak's head be placed on a pole and displayed in front of the fortress in the morning. When [Harpak's] brothers saw it, they opened the gates, emerged, and threw themselves down before the severed head, weeping bitterly, to the point that the entire army cried along with them. Thus did [the Byzantines] take the fortress of Arkni and the brothers were sent to Monomachus in Constantinople. The emperor was astonished at their size, since they were taller and more handsome than any of the Byzantines. Thus he in no way punished them, instead he sent them off to some island.

In the year 502 A.E. [1053] great wonders took place in the great [city of] Antioch. For there were many people of Syrian nationality in the city enjoying enormous luxury and their women went about on feast days adorned with golden ornaments; their children, some five hundred of them, were similarly adorned and went to church on feast days riding on donkeys. As a result the Greeks were filled with wicked bitterness and harbored deep resentment against them. Now it happened that one of the most senior of the Syrian princes became entranced by the Byzantines [g49], converted to their doctrine, and began to slander his own people to them, claiming that they lacked the orthodox faith of the catholic church. Thereby he put the Syrian people into grave danger. The Byzantine patriarch joined with such wicked slanders together with his folk and ordered that the Syriac gospels be burned. As soon as they threw them into the fire, a voice was heard issuing from the gospels, which emerged [unharmed] from the fire. A second time they tossed [the books] into the fire, and again they emerged unharmed. When they insolently did this a third time, the gospels burned up.

As soon as this evil deed had been done, the patriarch and the entire mob joyfully entered [the church of] St. Peter. Once they were all assembled together inside the holy church, the church itself thundered out a loud sound, and the entire city trembled. The next day fire fell from the sky onto the church of St. Peter, burning stone and wood as though they were candlewax, and splitting apart the altar and causing the sacramental table to collapse into the chasm, together with the very precious luminous gem and one hundred and fifty thousand pieces of gold with which Constantine had adorned it. And thereafter [people] were unable to find [these treasures]. When this had occurred, the city of Antioch was awestruck and began offering prayers to God. Then the Byzantine patriarch arose with priests and deacons and a great mass of people, and they circulated about the city praying. As soon as [g50] they reached the pavillion of the Romans, where a small bridge was located, suddenly the earth groaned and shook at the sixth hour of the day. Then it split apart and swallowed the patriarch and ten thousand people. For fifteen days their cries could be heard from the depths. Then the earth closed above them and the entire multitude suffocated.

[25] In the year 503 A.E. [1054] Tughril, sultan of the Persians, arose with a countless multitude and came to the city of Berkri in the land of the Armenians. He took it through battle and subjected its inhabitants to the sword and slavery. He then went on to Arche'sh and for eight days harassed the city with warfare. The citizens, offering many gifts, decided to surrender and convinced [Tughril] to go and take Mane"tskerd. [The Saljuqs] camped at a place called K'araglux. The next day [Tughril] surrounded the city and began putting it into straits through battle. The chief of the city was Basil, son of Apukap, a brave and martial man who encouraged everyone to fight. Then the foreigners started to dig through the base of the wall. When the believers learned about this, they also dug opposite them and killed everyone they caught. Enraged, the sultan sent to Baghe'sh and had brought thence a large and very tall catapult [baban] which Emperor Basil had constructed out of fifteen segments for [the defence of the city of] Her. When [the Saljuqs] erected it, the city's inhabitants quaked with fear. Then they found a priest [with engineering skills] in the city and built a machine to counter [the catapult]. With the very first rock they damaged the catapult's beak and the residents revived somewhat. But after a few days the foreigners repaired their device and began striking the walls with huge rocks. Then Basil called out to [g51] the [residents of the] city, proclaiming: "If someone goes and burns down that catapult, he will receive from me gold and silver treasures as well as glory and authority from the king. And should that person die, his sons and relations will inherit what I promised him." Then, behold, a Byzantine Frank came forward and said: "I will burn it and spill my blood for the Christians." So they gave him a noble steed, armor, and a helmet, seated him on the horse and tied three bottles of naptha to his body, [also] affixing a letter to the edge of his bomb. Then [the Frank] asked for prayers and headed toward the foreigners. They thought that he was an emissary and did not [intercept him] to make inquiries. It was noontime and very hot and all the fighters were asleep. The Byzantine man approached the catapult, while [the Saljuqs] believed he was coming to see them. At that moment, he brought forth one of the bottles and hurled it at the catapult. Then, riding about, he threw the second and the third [bottles]. The catapult burst into flames, while the man turned in flight, pursued by the entire multitude [of Saljuqs]. The man escaped and fled into the city, while the catapult burned. The faithful were delighted and gave many valuables to the man. When Monomachus learned about this, he had the man brought to Constantinople and gave him gifts and an honored position. Meanwhile the sultan also was dumbfounded at the Frank's deed and asked Basil if he could see him, promising gifts. But he did not want this. So they began digging under the walls while the city's residents dug opposite them, dragging and slaying [the Saljuqs] with an iron claw. Then they took a pig, put it on a machine, and hurled it into the [Saljuq] camp, shouting out to the sultan: "Marry this one, and we will give you Mane"tskert as a dowry." Mortified [g52], [Tughril] killed the man who had brought them against the city, and he returned to his own land.

[26] In the year 504 A.E. [1055] Monomachus died after reigning as emperor for fourteen years. His sister-in-law, Theodora [1055-1056], ruled in his place. She ordered that peace be made throughout all lands. She retrieved the sons of Habel from exile and returned them to their patrimony in honor, to the fortress of Arkni. She also removed the catepan Peroz from power and established in his place Melissenus (Melesan), a merciful and good man. She herself ruled for two years and three months, and then was translated to Christ. Michael the Elder then occupied the throne [Michael VI, Stratioticus, 1056-57]. During his day a certain prince from the Byzantine House of Comnenus arose against Michael and came with troops against Constantinople, seeking to become emperor by force. Michael assembled all the Western forces and went against Comnenus. However Michael's forces were defeated and put to flight during a great slaughter. All of Michael's princes were seized. The remainder, seeing such a bloodletting, accepted Comnenus. So the patriarch and all the princes took and seated Comnenus on the imperial throne. But there was great devastation before Comnenus was confirmed, since he and Michael between them had mercilessly laid waste the land [g53]. Comnenus greatly honored those who had gone along with him, and ordered that coins be struck having his image with a sword drawn to indicate that he had taken the empire by the sword. He did not increase the bloodletting [in the East], rather he went to the West, crossing the Danube where he wrecked the land of the Christians. For this a fitting anger was visited upon him from the Lord with thunder, lightning, and very large pieces of hail, which caused all [his troops] to flee. Those who lost their way were unable to find each other. The emperor with three men strayed and reached the Danube River where they realized that this vengeance came from God because of [Comnenus'] evil deeds. Arriving in Constantinople, [Comnenus] prostrated himself before God's mercy with many regrets, seeking forgiveness. He sent to Dukas, the duke of Edessa, had him brought [to Constantinople], and then seated him on the throne, while he himself became a cleric. The same year, which was 507 A.E. [1058], the blessed patriarch, Lord Petros, was translated to Christ. He had held the patriarchate for forty-two years [1019-1058], and had enthroned [as a successor] Lord Xach'ik [Xach'ik II Anets'i, 1058-1065]. [27] [Petros] himself was buried in the monastery of the Holy Cross in Sebastia. In the same year a Persian emir named Dinar arose with many troops and peacefully and harmlessly passed through numerous localities until he reached Melitene of the Armenians, since [the Saljuqs] had long since been informed by many [scouts] that it was extremely rich [g54] [and ripe] for looting. The city was unprepared and had neither fighting forces nor a place to flee to for refuge. Yet one and all took to flight, with the foreigners pursuing and mercilessly cutting them down, until the city was filled up with the blood of the slain. Attractive women and children were taken into captivity and [the Saljuqs] happily returned [to their camp]. Because it was winter they stayed in the district of Hantsit'. When spring arrived they went to the district of Taro'n and camped by the base of the mountain, close to Sasunk'. When T'or'nik, son of Mushegh, the valiant warrior of the Armenians saw this, he went against the foreigners with his troops and the two sides engaged in battle. Valiant T'or'nik raised his eyes On High and said: "Come to our aid, Saint Karapet [John the Baptist] of Glak monastery." Then he immediately attacked and mowed through them as though they were sheaves [for harvesting]. He put [the Saljuqs] to flight, then brave T'or'nik and his troops took the goods and captives and returned to their village, thanking God and Saint Karapet. During the winter of the same year snow fell for sixty days, falling at night and melting during the day. The water was red and bitter-tasting. There was severe famine for the wild animals and birds since they could not find food. Out of hunger they turned to the cultivated places, and the people mercilessly devoured them. [Some] merciful folk fed them during the winter and then released them when spring came. A certain emir named Nasir-ad-Daulah (Nsrt'ol), the lord of Nisibis, ordered his servants on a daily basis to spread forty k'or of wheat, forty k'or of barley, forty k'or of millet and other types of feed on the plain, so that the wild animals and birds might come and eat it [g55], and he ordered that none of them be killed. [He further ordered that] everyone, according to ability, should care for them. That year a severe famine occurred because, due to the snow, there had been no sowing.

In the year 508 A.E. [1059] the entire House of Persia was on the move. Boasting, they came against the Armenians, subjecting many districts to the sword and to captivity and reaching Sebastia. Now Atom and Abusahl, the sons of Senak'erim [Artsruni], had learned of the coming of the infidels in advance and had fled to Xawatane'k'. At first the forces of the infidels did not dare to enter the city since, seeing the domes of the churches, they thought that they were the tents of the Byzantine troops. But when they learned that the city was devoid of defenders, they surrounded it and attacked it with their swords, cutting down everyone they encountered, then leading away countless people into captivity. [28] This was the result of [Armenia] being without its leaders and also due to the wicked actions of the Byzantines, since they had removed Armenians from the leadership of the country of Armenia, treacherously killed the valiant Armenian warriors, and installed eunuchs as leaders and officials in the land who had no enthusiasm for deeds of valor and blinded the eyes of brave Armenian and Byzantine soldiers. Weak and prone to flight, they eventually fled to Constantinople, since in one year [the Saljuqs] had taken the entire land from them. In this period [Emperor] Ducas thought to remove the patriarchate from Armenia [g56]. And, in fact, they did this. For following the death of Lord Petros, they took Lord Xach'ik to Constantinople with the bishops and kept them in confinement for three months. [Ducas] demanded that [they hand over] the treasures of Lord Petros and, employing all efforts, he wanted to turn the Armenians to Chalcedonianism. At that point King Gagik and the sons of Senak'erim, Atom and Apusahl, and the princes of the Armenians with great labor were able to release them and locate the patriarchal throne at T'awblur, close to Kokist, where it remained for three years.

In 511 A.E. [1062] Persian military commanders came from Sultan Tughril with many troops, reaching the district of Balin and T'llxum and Arkni. They wrought incalculable slaughter and took much booty. There Kristap'or, a priest of God, with his two sons went into the church and gave communion to the entire populace. Exiting [the church] they met their ends and became martyrs. The emir who resided in Amida wrote to the Persian military commander and made friendship with him, seeking to buy the captives of his district and he urged his entire principality to purchase captives and free them, for he was a merciful man. He himself freed many [captives]. Now as soon as this evil news reached Emperor Ducas, he ordered a huge assembly [of troops], designating the great prince Francopoulos (Fr'angapol) as their military commander, and then sent them to the district of T'llxum to exact vengeance on the Persian nation. The duke of Edessa, Dawatanos, also came and joined the emperor's forces. When they arrived there and observed the multitude of the slain, they wept bitterly. Then they attacked the Tachiks but [the latter] had heard about [these plans] and fled [g57] to the land of Persia. Then Dawatanos attacked the city of Amida. When the residents of the city heard about the coming of the Byzantines they sent 10,000 dahekans to Francopoulos. When they reached the city gates, the entire force of the foreigners emerged to battle. Francopoulos fought Dawatanos; then, idly going to one side, he quit the battle with 60,000 horsemen. Now a certain brave chief of the foreigners' troops broke through and began slaying the Christian forces. When Dawatanos saw this, he turned his horse about and killed that brave man with his sword. Dawatanos himself was killed there. When Francopoulos heard about this, he attacked and destroyed the foreigners' troops, then turned back triumphantly. Now a certain Armenian named Yohnuk assembled 5000 infantry and, reaching the district of T'llxum, brought grief to the Kurds and Tachiks. Then he came again to Sewerakk' with great spoil and captives. A Tachik chief, Shahashdak, caught up with Yohnuk who then left his troops and fled. Taking their booty, they turned back. Francopoulos went to T'e'odupo'lis, encountered and destroyed them, and captured their loot. He destroyed nomadic ("tented") Turks wherever he came upon them, taking their goods. When Ducas heard about Dawatanos' death he summoned Frankopoulos, tied a stone around his neck, and threw him into the sea. This was because of [Frankopoulos'] treacherous deed of standing aside and not aiding Dawatanos, who [therefore] perished [g58].

Return to Historical Sources Menu
Return to History Workshop Menu