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The Turco-Mongol Invasions and the Lords of Armenia in the 13 ...

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Dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mongol</strong> dom<strong>in</strong>ation de-naxararization<br />

occurred <strong>in</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong> as a result <strong>of</strong> different <strong>Mongol</strong><br />

policies. Dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> <strong>13</strong>th century, <strong>in</strong> some oases it was<br />

temporary <strong>and</strong> perhaps un<strong>in</strong>tentional, such as <strong>the</strong> de-naxar-<br />

arization result<strong>in</strong>g from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mongol</strong>s' <strong>in</strong>sistence that<br />

important lords visit <strong>the</strong> center <strong>of</strong> <strong>Mongol</strong> power (be it<br />

<strong>in</strong> Qara-Qorum <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Par East, or later <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Il-Khanid<br />

centexs<strong>of</strong> Iran <strong>and</strong> <strong>Armenia</strong>). Sometimes de-naxararization<br />

occurred through deaths <strong>of</strong> naxarars <strong>in</strong> foreign wars which,<br />

as <strong>Mongol</strong> clients, <strong>the</strong> naxarars were obliged to participate<br />

<strong>in</strong>. In o<strong>the</strong>r cases, de-naxararization was <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>in</strong>tentional policy: punishment for rebellion <strong>and</strong> punishment<br />

for association with certa<strong>in</strong> <strong>Mongol</strong> noy<strong>in</strong>s who had fallen<br />

<strong>in</strong>to disfavor. With <strong>the</strong> Islamization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mongol</strong> court<br />

<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> 14th century <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> concomitant <strong>in</strong>ception <strong>of</strong> anti-<br />

Christian persecution, de-naxararization, by def<strong>in</strong>ition<br />

directed aga<strong>in</strong>st one segment <strong>of</strong> society, degenerated Into<br />

massacres (premeditated <strong>and</strong> "spontaneous11) directed aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />

all levels <strong>of</strong> Christian <strong>Armenia</strong>n society.<br />

<strong>Armenia</strong>n <strong>and</strong> Georgian sources conta<strong>in</strong> numerous references<br />

to <strong>the</strong> long <strong>and</strong> difficult journeys to <strong>the</strong> Par East undertaken<br />

by Caucasian lords. Apparently, <strong>the</strong> first naxarar to be<br />

sent to Qara-Qorum was Awag1. Atabek Iwane's renowned<br />

KG pp. 262-63: "After a short time had passed, <strong>the</strong>y sent<br />

Awag on a ..distant journey to <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>ast to <strong>the</strong>ir k<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

called Khan, for <strong>the</strong>y did <strong>the</strong> same to all <strong>the</strong> gr<strong>and</strong>ees<br />

whom <strong>the</strong>y wished to honor. <strong>The</strong>y sent him to <strong>the</strong> k<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong>,<br />

receiv<strong>in</strong>g [<strong>the</strong>ir] ruler's comm<strong>and</strong>, implemented it, for<br />

191

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