Smbat II ( hy, Սմբատ Բ Տիեզերակալ, Smbat II Master of the Universe) reigned as King of
Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ' ...
from 977 to 989. He was of the Bagratuni line of kings, and the son of Ashot III, whom he succeeded.
Life
Smbat was crowned king on the same day of his father's death. He ruled from the city of
Ani
Ani ( hy, Անի; grc-gre, Ἄνιον, ''Ánion''; la, Abnicum; tr, Ani) is a ruined medieval Armenian city now situated in Turkey's province of Kars, next to the closed border with Armenia.
Between 961 and 1045, it was the capital of the ...
, which he fortified. In particular, he ordered the construction of a wall around Ani, also building towers and fortifications to protect the city from north to west. He began the construction of the
Cathedral of Ani
The Cathedral of Ani ( hy, Անիի մայր տաճար, ''Anii mayr tačar''; tr, Ani Katedrali) is the largest standing building in Ani, the capital city of medieval Bagratid Armenia, located in present-day eastern Turkey, on the border with ...
. His reign was generally a time of peace, only disturbed by conflict between Smbat and his uncle Mushegh in Kars. The latter in 982 incited the Sallarid ''
emir
Emir (; ar, أمير ' ), sometimes transliterated amir, amier, or ameer, is a word of Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person possessing actual or cer ...
'' of Āzarbāijān, Abu'l-Haija, to capture and Dvin, attack Smbat's domains and demand from him a tribute. This state of affairs was quickly brought to an end when Abu'l-Haija was captured by Abu Dulaf, the Muslim ''emir'' of Goght'n. Smbat concluded a peace with Abu Dulaf that left the ''emir'' in control of Dvin and Goght'n. Smbat inspired contention with the
Armenian Church
Armenian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent
** Armenian Diaspora, Armenian communities across the ...
when he married his own niece (sister's daughter), which the church strongly opposed.
King Smbat died and was buried in Ani in 989,Manuk-Khaloyan, Armen, "In the Cemetery of their Ancestors: The Royal Burial Tombs of the Bagratuni Kings of Greater Armenia (890-1073/79)," ''
Revue des Études Arméniennes
''Revue des Études Arméniennes'' is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes articles relating to Classical and medieval Armenian history, art history, philology, linguistics, and literature.Trdat, by order of the king, had started laying the foundations of the Cathedral of Ani. This building is still standing today, and with its unique style and simple decorations, is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Armenian architecture. As he did not have any male issue Smbat II succeeded by his brother Gagik I.
See also
*
Smbat Walls
The Smbat walls were made to the highest standards of mediaeval fortifications and were also a work of elegant architectural style.
Background
The walls were made from smoothly hewn yellow stones, decorated in places with red and black stones, ...