[quote=gamavor,Sep 12 2003, 07:20 PM]
DO YOU KNOW...?
That there were 20 emperors of armenian origin
Here they are:
1. Morick Oshakanatsi (Mavrikiy) 582-602.
2. Vardan Pikick 711-713.
3. Artavazd - 742-743.
4. Levon (Lion the V) Artsruni - 813-830.
5. Barseg Arsha - kuni (Vasil the I - the founder of armenian Makedonian dinasty) - 867-886.
6. Levon Arshakuni (Lion the VI, philosopher) 886-912.
7. Alexander 912-913.
8. Kons tandin the VII Bagrianorodny 913-959.
9. Romanos Vashtakian (Roman the I) 919-949. Ruled with Konstandin the VII Bagrianororodny).
10. Romanos the II - 959-963.
11. Nikiphor the II Phoka (the Great) - 963-969.
12. Hovanes Chimishk (Ioan Tsimiskhy) 969-976.
13. Vasily the II Bulgaroboyts 976-1025.
14. Konstandin the VIII - 1025-1028.
15. Roman the III 1028-1034.
16. Mikhael Paflagon (Mikhael the IV) - 1034 1041.
17. Mikhael Kalapat (Mikhael the V) - 1041-1042.
18. Konstandin the IX Monomakh - 1042-1054.
19. Teodora the II (Phedora the II) empress - 1054-1056.
20. Mikhael Stratiotik (Mikhael the II) - 1056-1057.
This is a very valuable topic, easily ignored, but so pivotal in the shaping of the European and Middle Eastern future.
However I like to verify this list and add one you mislayed...
1. Morick Oshakanatsi (Mavrikiy) 582-602.
Also known as Maurice, he hailed from Cappadocia in central Anatolia.
He conducted deportations of Armenians to Thrakia (Bulgaria) jointly with the Persian Shah.
The one you mislayed, and perhaps the greatest...
Haig.
Also known as Heraklios/Heraclius.
His aristocratic family had been resettled in the region of Cathage (Tunisia) during the reconquest of north Africa in the reign of Emperor Justinian around 534 AD.
He was trully great yet a trully tragic person, learn more
here.
2. Vardan Pikick 711-713.
Known also as Phillipikos Bardanes, he came to a bloddy end...
3. Artavazd - 742-743.
Known also as Artabasdes, most noted for his rebellion, 1 year reign as Emperor and restorer of Icons for worship
4. Levon (Lion the V) Artsruni - 813-830.
Known also as Leo, most notable for his Iconoclasm
5. Barseg Arsha - kuni (Vasil the I - the founder of armenian Makedonian dinasty) - 867-886.
Known also as Basilios, he came from the large Armenian diaspora in Thrakia (Bulgaria) he trekked to Contantinople, got employment as a stable boy, then showed of his strength by hurling the wrestling champion across the yard.
This event got him into the Imperial Court and his progress was swift.
Amoung his feats such as defeting the Bulgar Khanate and the Saracens, he also campaigned against
the Paulicians and destroyed their stronghold, Tephrike.
Although he hailed from Thrakia, that region, in the process of administrative boundary changes was known as 'Makedonia'.
6. Levon Arshakuni (Lion the VI, philosopher) 886-912.
Known also as Leo VI, there is some doubt as to him being the son of Basil, most likely he was the son of the previous Emperor, Mikhail III, whom Basil had murdered.
7. Alexander 912-913.
Brother of Leo VI, an alcoholic, worshipped pagan statues to cure his impotence.
8. Kons tandin the VII Bagrianorodny 913-959.
9. Romanos Vashtakian (Roman the I) 919-949. Ruled with Konstandin the VII Bagrianororodny).
Son of Theophylaktos the Unbearable (!) he gave the Empire much needed stability, cared for the people, although they did not reurn the adoration.
He defeated the Russians and kept the Saracens at bay.
10. Romanos the II - 959-963.
During his reign Crete, then under Saracen rule, was recaptured, as was Cilicia.
Aleppo, which had been a base for raids into Anatolia, was captured and sacked.
11. Nikiphor the II Phoka (the Great) - 963-969.
Also known as Nikephorus Phakos, there is much controversy about his Armenian origins.
Though his brother was called Bardas, Vartan.
He was know as the White Death to the Saracens, and for good reason...
12. Hovanes Chimishk (Ioan Tsimiskhy) 969-976.
Also known as John Tzimisces, a charismatic man, and military genius.
He murdered Nikephorus.
He defeated the russians, captured eastern Bulgaria, captured Syria and was on the verge of taking Jerusalem.
It is said he was poisoned by the rich landowner and Eunuch, Basil Lekapenus, himself Armenian, fearing John would take his pwers from him and give the lands to the peasant soldiers.
13. Vasily the II Bulgaroboyts 976-1025.
Also known as Basil 'bulgaroktonos' (bulgar killer)
It was rumoured his father was a European mercenary soldier in the service of the Imperial Court, or more precisely, in the service of his mother...
Learn more
here
14. Konstandin the VIII - 1025-1028.
The useless hedonist brother of Basil II
15. Roman the III 1028-1034.
Learned but never suited to the job of Emperor, his reign marked the begining of Byzantine military disasters.
In general, most of the suceeding emperors may well have had Armenian blood in them, but they would have considerd themselves as 'Romans' and would not have thought twice about campaigning against Armenians either in the homeland or in Cilicia.