List of Armenian monarchs


This is a list of the monarchs of Armenia, rulers of the ancient Kingdom of Armenia, the medieval Kingdom of Armenia, various lesser Armenian kingdoms, and finally the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. The list also includes prominent vassal princes and lords who ruled during times without an Armenian kingdom, as well as later claimants to the position.

Ancient Armenia (521 BC – AD 428)

Early satraps (521–401 BC)

Orontid dynasty (401–200 BC)

PortraitNameReignSuccessionLife details
Orontes I
 401–344 BC
Made satrap of Armenia under the Achaemenid king Artaxerxes II. Governed virtually autonomously.
Orontes II
 344–331 BC

331 BC
Died fighting on the side of the Achaemenid Empire against Alexander the Great at the Battle of Gaugamela
Mithrenes
 331–317 BC
Son of Orontes II, defected to join Alexander the Great and named the new ruler of Armenia by Alexander after his father's death
Neoptolemus
323–321 BC
Orontes III
 317–260 BC
Sames
 260 BC
Arsames
 260–228 BC
Xerxes
 228–212 BC
Orontes IV
 212–200 BC

Artaxiad dynasty (200 BC–AD 2)

PortraitNameReignSuccessionLife details
Artaxias I
 190–160 BC
Unclear succession. According to Strabo, Artaxias I was a general under the Seleucid king Antiochus III who seized power in Armenia, but according to Artaxias's own inscriptions he appears to have been part of a junior line of the Orontid dynasty.
Artavasdes
 160–115 BC
Tigranes I
 120–95 BC
Tigranes II "the Great"
 95–55 BC
Artavasdes II
 55–34 BC
Artaxias II
 34–20 BC
Tigranes III
 20–8 BC
Tigranes IV
 8–5 BC, 2–1 BC
Erato

 8–5 BC, 2–1 BC, 1-2 AD
Artavasdes III5-2 BC

Non-dynastic rulers (2–61)

The first century AD was a time of intense conflict between the Roman and Parthian empires. In Armenia, this resulted in rapid appointments and depositions of Armenian client kings by both sides.Ariobarzanes, 2–4, a Median prince and matrilineal descendant of Tigranes IIArtavasdes IV, 4–6, son of AriobarzanesTigranes V, 6–12, a Herodian princeVonones, 12–18, former king of the Parthian EmpireArtaxias III, 18–34, a Pontic princeArsaces, 34–35, son of the Parthian king Artabanus II Mithridates, 35–37, brother of the Iberian king Pharasmanes I Orodes, 37–41, son of the Parthian king Artabanus II Mithridates, 41–52 Rhadamistus, 52–54, son of the Iberian king Pharasmanes ITiridates I, 54–58, son of the Parthian king Vonones IITigranes VI, 58–61/62, nephew of Tigranes V

Arsacid dynasty (61–428)

Tiridates I, c. 61/66–c. 75/88Sanatruk, c. 75/88–c. 110, son of Tiridates I?Axidares, c. 110–c. 112, son of the Parthian king Pacorus IIParthamasiris, c. 112–c. 114, son of the Parthian king Pacorus II
In 384, the Sasanian Empire appointed Khosrov IV as Armenian king, in opposition to the Roman-supported Arshak III. This resulted in Armenia becoming informally divided under the two kings. In 387, the division was made formal through an agreement between the Roman emperor Theodosius I and Sasanian king Shapur III. The agreement saw Armenia be partitioned into a western and an eastern kingdom.

Western Armenia (387–389)

Arshak III, 387–c. 389, former king of all of Armenia
Upon the death of Arshak III in 389, Emperor Theodosius I chose to not appoint another king, ending the western kingdom. Arshak's lands were instead incorporated into the Roman Empire.

Eastern Armenia (384–428)

Khosrov IV, 384–389, son of Varazdat?Vramshapuh, 389/401–417, son of Varazdat?Khosrov V, 417–418, possibly the same person as Khosrov IVShapur, 418–422, son of the Sasanian king Yazdegerd I, later king of the Sasanian Empire Artaxias IV, 422–428, son of Vramshapuh
In 428, the Sasanian king Bahram V deposed Artaxias IV, with the permission of the Armenian nobility, and annexed his lands into the Sasanian Empire.

Vassal lords and princes (428–884)

''Marzbāns'' in Sasanian Armenia (428–646)

The Sasanian-ruled Armenian territories were after 428 placed under the rule of an official with the title marzbān. The first marzbān, appointed by Bahram V, was the military officer Veh Mihr Shapur.
The list of marzbāns is not entirely contiguous. This is due to gaps in the historical record as well as there having been periods without any appointed marzbāns. It was relatively common for the office to be vacant since the Sasanian Empire periodically tried to assert more direct control.

Presiding princes of Armenia (628–884)

In the sixth century, the Byzantine Empire established the position of presiding prince of Armenia. This office was created in an attempt to legitimize a local vassal leader with Byzantine backing and counteract Sasanian efforts in the region. During later centuries, the princes often wavered in allegiance between Byzantium and the Islamic Caliphates, who competed over influence in the region. The princes were most often autonomous tributary vassals. The earliest known presiding prince of Armenia is Mjej II Gnuni, appointed by the Byzantines in the early seventh century.

Restored kingdom (884–1045)

Bagratuni dynasty (884–1045)

After more than four centuries of dormancy, the Armenian kingdom was restored under the Bagratuni dynasty, from which several presiding princes had hailed. The Abbasid caliphs were prominent supporters of the Bagratuni princes gaining power over other Armenian nobles due to fears of Byzantine influence in the region. In 884, Prince Ashot V Bagratuni was crowned king by his peers. Ashot's new position was recognised by both the Byzantine Empire and the Abbasid Caliphate; Emperor Basil I and Caliph Al-Mu'tamid each sent him a royal crown.Ashot I "the Great", 884–890, previously princeSmbat I "the Martyr", 890–913, son of Ashot IAshot II "the Iron", 914–928, son of Smbat I
The Bagratid kingdom and its capital of Ani was conquered by the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos in 1045.

Lesser medieval Armenian kingdoms

Vaspurakan, Artsruni dynasty (908–1021)

The Artsruni family ruled in Vaspurakan as princes under the Bagratuni kings. The Artsruni family revolted after King Smbat ceded some of the Artsruni lands to the nearby princes of Syunik. Shortly thereafter, in 908, Vaspurakan became a separate kingdom with Gagik Artsruni's recognition as a king by Abbasid caliph.
Senekerim-Hovhannes, the last king of Vaspurakan, surrendered his crown to the Byzantine Empire in 1021 under pressure from incursions by the Seljuk Turks and resettled with his family in Cappadocia.

Vanand, Bagratuni dynasty (961–1065)

The Kingdom of Vanand was created as a vassal state by the Bagratuni kings in 961, ruled by members of their own dynasty.Mushegh, 961/962–984, son of Abas I of ArmeniaAbas I, 984–1029, son of Mushegh
  • Gagik-Abas II, 1029–1065, son of Abas I; claimed the position of king of all Armenia after the collapse of the main Bagratid kingdom in 1045.
Vanand was ceded to the Byzantine Empire by Gagik-Abas II in 1065.

Tashir-Dzoraget, Kiurikian dynasty (982–c. 1145)

The Kingdom of Tashir-Dzoraget was a vassal kingdom founded in 982 by Kiurike I, youngest son of Ashot III of Armenia, and was thereafter ruled by his descendants. It was for most of its history ruled from the fortress of Lori.Kiurike I, 982–989, son of Ashot III of ArmeniaDavid I "the Landless", 989–1046/1048, son of Kiurike IKiurike II, 1046/1048–1081/1089, son of David IDavid II and Abas, c. 1089–c. 1145, sons of Kiurike II
Tashir-Dzoraget was largely conquered by the Seljuk Turks in 1081/1089. In the early 12th century, further conquests led to David II and Abas only retaining control of the fortress of Macnaberd. The kingdom was fully conquered by around 1145, though it is possible that some members of the Kiurikian dynasty retained control of fortresses and settlements in the region thereafter.

Syunik, Siunia dynasty (970–1170)

The independent Kingdom of Syunik was established under the Siuni prince Smbat Sahak in 970.Smbat I Sahak, 970–998Vasak, 998–1019, son of Smbat ISmbat II, 1019–1044, cousin and nephew of VasakGrigor I, 1044–1084, brother of Smbat IISenekerim Sevadian, 1084–1094, adoptive son of Grigor IGrigor II, 1094–1166, son of SenekerimHasan of Gerakar, 1166–1170, son-in-law of Grigor II
The Kingdom of Syunik was conquered by the Seljuk Turks in 1170.

''Shah-i Armen''s (1100–1185; 1420–1437)

Ahlat ''Shah-i Armen''s (1100–1185)

In the decades following the Battle of Manzikert, one of the Turkmen vassal dynasties of the Seljuk Turks gained control of Ahlat, in the former Armenian heartland. These Muslim emirs took the title Shah-i Armen ; the same title Islamic sources had previously used for the Bagratuni kings.Sökmen I, 1100–1111Zahireddin Ibrahim, 1111–1127Ahmed, 1127Sökmen II, 1128–1185
Sökmen II left no heirs, his death in 1185 terminating the Shah-i Armen dynastic line. Ahlat was thereafter ruled by a series of slave emirs;'''' Seyfeddin Bektimur 1185–1193, Bedreddin Aksungur 1193–1198, Sücaeddin Kutlug 1198, Melukülmansur Muhammed 1198–1207, and Izzeddin Balaban 1207. The city's period of relative autonomy came to an end when it was captured by the Ayyubid Sultanate in 1207.

Qara Qoyunlu (1420–1437)

The title Shah-i Armen was temporarily revived in the 15th century under the rule of the Turkmen Qara Qoyunlu, being used by Sultan Qara Iskander as part of his policy to cultivate the Armenian population.Qara Iskander, 1420–1437

Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (1080–1375)

The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia was a state formed in the Middle Ages by Armenians who fled the Seljuk invasion of their homeland. It was initially ruled by the Rubenids, an offshoot of the Bagratuni dynasty. While the Rubenid rulers were initially regional princes, their close ties with the Western world after the First Crusade saw the principality recognised as a kingdom under Leo I by the Holy Roman Empire in 1198. The rulers of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilia thereafter styled themselves simply as "King of Armenia".

Rubenid dynasty (1080–1252)

Hethumid dynasty (1226–1341)

The Hethumid dynasty gained power through marriage with Isabella of the Rubenid dynasty. Upon her death, her husband Hethum I became sole ruler and he was followed as king by their descendants.Hethum I, 1226–1269, second husband of IsabellaLeo II, 1269–1289, son of Hethum I and IsabellaHethum II, 1289–1293, son of Leo IIThoros, 1293–1294, son of Leo IIHethum II, 1294–1296Smbat IV, 1296–1298, son of Leo IIConstantine I, 1298–1299, son of Leo IIHethum II, 1299–1305Leo III, 1305–1308, son of ThorosOshin, 1308–1320, son of Leo IILeo IV, 1320–1341, son of Oshin

Lusignan and Neghir dynasties (1342–1375)

After the death of Leo IV in 1341, Leo's cousin Guy de Lusignan was elected to succeed him as Constantine II, beginning the rule of the Lusignan dynasty. This dynasty ruled for just over three decades before Cilicia was captured by the Mamluks, bringing an end to the kingdom.Constantine II, 1342–1344, cousin and chosen successor of Leo IV Constantine III, 1344–1363, elected by the Armenian nobility; grandnephew of Hethum I Leo (V) "the Usurper", 1363–1365, unknown lineage; seized the throne and then abdicated after a reign of two yearsConstantine IV, 1365–1373, cousin of Constantine III
  • * Peter de Lusignan, King of Cyprus, was invited to become king by some Armenian barons in 1368 but died in 1369 while making preparations to cross the sea to Cilicia with his forces
  • Marie of Korikos, regent 1373–1374, widow of Constantine III and Constantine IV; served as regent while delegations were sent to negotiate with prospective new candidates for the kingshipLeo V, 1374–1375, nephew of Constantine II

Later claimants

Lusignan claimants (1375–1489)

Leo V continued to claim the title "King of Armenia" in exile until his death in 1393. Leo's claims were then inherited by James I, his cousin who ruled as King of Cyprus. From 1393 to the end of the Cypriot kingdom in 1489, the rulers of Cyprus claimed the full title "King of Cyprus, Jerusalem and Armenia".
After the fall of the Kingdom of Cyprus in 1489, Catherine Cornaro sold her claims and titles to the Republic of Venice, which at times thereafter advanced a shadowy claim to Cilicia or Armenia as a whole.

Savoyard claimants (1485–1946)

Charlotte, who ruled as Queen of Cyprus 1458–1464, was deposed in 1464 but maintained claims to her titles in exile. In 1485, she ceded all her titular claims to her first cousin once removed, Charles I, Duke of Savoy. As a consequence of Charlotte's sale, the House of Savoy is often seen as the heirs of the Lusignan kings of Cyprus and Armenian Cilicia. For centuries thereafter, the heads of the family maintained the style "Duke of Savoy and titular King of Cyprus, Jerusalem and Armenia".
The title "King of Cyprus, Jerusalem and Armenia" was maintained even after the Savoyard dynasts became kings of Italy, for instance being used by both Victor Emmanuel II and Victor Emmanuel III.