| Mamikonian Մամիկոնյան | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Armenia Persia |
| Founded | 314 |
| Founder | Artavasdes I |
| Current head | Extinct |
| Final ruler | Musel VI |
| Titles | |
| Dissolution | 1189 |
| Cadet branches | Liparitids Tumanishvili |
| History of Armenia |
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| Timeline • Origins • Etymology |
Mamikonian, or Mamikonean (Old Armenian: Մամիկոնեան, reformed orthography: Մամիկոնյան, Western Armenian pronunciation: Mamigonian), was an Armenian aristocratic dynasty which dominated Armenian politics between the 4th and 8th centuries. They were the most notable noble house in Early Christian Armenia after the ruling Arsacid dynasty and held the hereditary positions of sparapet (supreme commander of the army) and dayeak (royal tutor), allowing them to play the role of kingmaker for the later Armenian kings.[1][2] They ruled over extensive territories, including the Armenian regions of Tayk, Taron, Sasun, and Bagrevand, among others.[1] The Mamikonians had a reputation as supporters of the Roman (later Byzantine) Empire in Armenia against Sasanian Iran, although they also served as viceroys under Persian rule.[1][2] Their influence over Armenian affairs began to decline at the end of the 6th century and suffered a final, decisive blow after a failed rebellion against Arab rule over Armenia in 774/75.[1]
- ^ a b c d Garsoian 2005.
- ^ a b Garsoïan 1991, pp. 1278–1279.