| Kamsarakan | |
|---|---|
| Parent house | House of Karen |
| Country | Ayrarat Arsharunik |
| Founder | Prince Kamsar (d. 325)[1] |
| Cadet branches | Pahlavuni[1] |
The House of Kamsarakan (Armenian: Կամսարական) was an Armenian noble family that was an offshoot of the House of Karen, also known as the Karen-Pahlav. The Karens were one of the Seven Great Houses of Iran and were of Parthian origin.[1]
In the Byzantine-Sasanian era, the Kamsarakan were mostly known for following a pro-Byzantine policy. In the late 8th century, they met their downfall as a result of participating in an uprising against Arab rule.
After the 8th century, a branch of the Kamsarakan, the Pahlavuni, rose to prominence. According to Cyril Toumanoff the Pahlavunis in turn had two branches: the Mkhargrdzeli, associated with the Kingdom of Georgia; and the Hethumids, associated with the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia.[1]