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

through Naxijewan, Juia, through A*zarbaljan to Marand,
Tabriz and Qazvin in 1211-121.
Emigration of naxarara from Armenia was caused
by two factors: the breakdown of conditions deemed
essential by the mecatuns for international trade, and (from
the inception of Islamization) anti-Christian terror
aimed especially at the prominent and well-to-do.
Emigration to escape Mongol domination probably began
in the 1220's during the decade of chaos. Already
by the time of the French Franciscan William of Subruck's
visit to Ani (1255), even the Zakarids were looking for
1 •It was about this time [1405/6] that the king ofGeorgia
of whom we have already spoken, came out in rebellion.
He invaded the country round and about Ani and Erzerun,
which is of Greater Armenia, and extended his raid down
even to Tabriz, plundering and burning many villages and
hamlets, spreading terror on all hands. The Moslems
of Tabriz held that Prince Omar must of his duty march
to their defence, but he failed to oome. But next he
sent in his place, giving him command in Tabriz, a certain
great noble [of whom we have already spoken] a very old
man, him whose name was Omar Toban, who at the head of
some 5,000 horse had hitherto been stationed on the Georgian
frontier of those parts. From the country round Tabriz
troops were hurriedly collected, these numbering some
15,000 horse, and forthwith proudly marched through the
streets of that city, where they made a very fine display.
Then these all took their departure for the frontier in
the region of the Alatao. plains, which are of Greater
Armenia. No sooner had king George heard of their approach
than he marched out with 5,000 of his horsemen to encounter
them:»and coming fell on them at night. Taking them thus
by surprise, he slew most of these men, while such as
•escaped fled back to Tabriz, where the terror and confusion
of the Moslem folk became very great"(Clav* p. 323).
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