sparapet
Events
Date of Birth: unknown.
Place of Birth: unknown.
Date of Death: 25 April 775.
Place of Death: the Battle of Bagrevand.
The date and place are given by Garsoian (1997, p. 132).
Relationships
Father: Ashot III Bagratuni (“the Blind”).
This relationship is given by Garsoian (1997, p. 130). It is recorded by Vardan Arewelc‘i (p. 184), probably relying on the now lost history of Šapuh Bagratuni, or on Yovhannēs Drasxanakertc‘i, who was relying on him.
Mother: unknown.
Spouse: a sister or daughter of Samuel Mamikonian.
Lewond (p. 137) states that Samuel was the father-in-law of Smbat. Settipani argues that, for chronological reasons, it is more likely that Samuel was Smbat’s brother-in-law. This seems consistent with Lewond’s description of Samuel as “a lively and a handsome young man” at the time of his death, but I haven’t read Settipani’s argument.
Children:
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)
Ashot IV Bagratuni (Msaker)
Šapuh Bagratuni (died 824)
Evidence
from Vardan Arewelc‘i:
44. But here we must speak about the origin of the kings of Armenia and Georgia, who descended from the Bagratunis. For as was said [above], after the valiant Vardan there were princes for Armenia according to circumstances, down to Smbat Bagratuni. After him [was] Ašot, son of Vasak, whom the Mamikoneans blinded. He had two sons: Smbat, ancestor of the kings of Armenia, and Vasak, the founder of the kings of Georgia. … Now Smbat, the ancestor of the [kings of] Armenia, had a son Ašot Msaker; his son [was] Smbat the Confessor. His son was this Ašot the Pious, who was named prince of princes by Ali, son of Vahe, on the orders of Jap‘r the chief emir…
from Lewond (p. 137):
…These are the names of the generals [who gave their lives]: High Constable Smbat from the house of Bagratunik'; Sahak, his ally and co-warrior; General Mushel from the house of Mamikoneank' and Samuel the Ter (Lord) of the Mamikoneank', a lively and a handsome young man, who was the father-in-law of the High Constable; …
References
Garsoïan, Nina. “The Arab Invasions and the Rise of the Bagratuni” in The Armenian People from Anicent to Modern Times v. 1 (Richard G. Hovannisian ed.) (St Martin’s Press, 1997).
Garsoïan, Nina. Interregnum: Introduction to a Study on the Formation of Armenian Identity (ca. 600-750) (2012).
History of Lewond, The Eminent Vardapet of the Armenians (Z. Arzoumanian tr.) (1982). The history was written towards the end of the 8th century.
Thomson, Robert W. “The Historical Compilation of Vardan Arewelc‘i” in Dumbarton Oaks Papers v. 43 (1989) pp. 125-226.