Marzpanate Period

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Marzpanate period is the time in Armenian history after the fall of the Arshakuni Dynasty of Armenia in 428, when Marzbans (Governors-general of the boundaries), nominated by the Sassanid Persian King, governed the eastern part of Armenia. Meanwhile, Byzantine Armenia was at that time ruled by several princes under Byzantine control and was finally organized into four provinces under the emperor Justinian in 536 (Governors). The Marzpanate period ended with the Arab conquest of Armenia in the 7th century.

The Marzpan was invested with supreme power, even to the imposing of death sentences; but he could not interfere with the age-long privileges of the Armenian nakharars. The country as a whole, enjoyed a considerable autonomy. The office of Hazarapet, corresponding to that of a Minister of the Interior and Public Works, was entrusted to an Armenian, as was also the post of Sparapet, Commander-in-chief. Each nakharar had his own army, according to the extent of his domain. The "National cavalry" or "Royal force" was under the Commander-in-chief. The tax collectors were all Armenians. The courts of justice and the schools were directed by the Armenian clergy. Several times an Armeian nakharar became Marzpan, as Vahan Mamikonean 485 after a period of rebellion against the Persians.

Three times during the Marzpanic period, Persian kings launched persecutions against Christianity in Armenia. The Persians had tolerated the invention of the Armenian alphabet and the founding of schools, thinking these would encourage the spiritual separation of Armenia from the Byzantines, but, on the contrary, the new cultural movement among the Armenians actually proved to be conducive to closer relations with Byzantium.

• This article incorporates text from History of Armenia by Vahan M. Kurkjian, a publication in the public domain.

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Last updated on Saturday February 09, 2008 at 10:48:29 PST (GMT -0800)
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