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

Saxarar Reactions to Mongol Control Techniques of the
13-14th Centuries
Raiarar reactions to the different control techniques
used by the Mongols before and after their Islanlzation
were varied, but contained no elements previously unknown
in the long hietoiy of the naxarars. We have observed
naxarar reaction to the invasions: when united military
resistance proved impossible, the naxarars holed up in
their mountain fortresses; when they learned that the
Mongols apared those submitting peaceably, the naxarars
submitted, making separate often highly advantageous arrange-
ments with their new overlords. As for the domination,
naxarar reactions to Mongol control techniques in the
13-l4th centuries may be grouped under five major headings.
The lords (1) attempted when possible to exploit the
rivalry between different centers of Mongol authority;
(2) rebelled, when feeling themselves sufficiently
powerful or when driven to it by Mongol excesses; (3)
emigrated from the Armenian highlands In large numbers;
(4) lalamlzed in large numbers, and (5) withstood everything,
retaining the Christian faith and also a certain leverage
with the Turco-Mongol regimes. Some lords of totally
impregnable fortresses became caravan-looters and bandits.
Other lords sometimes were able to retain certain privileges
and even family lands through the process of giving their
220