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

Another tendency of medieval Armenian life reoelTing
a stimulus (or perhaps, reaffirmation) from the Saljuq
domination was centrifugation, a key feature of Armenia's
socio-geopolitical system, naxararlsm?'
. The
Saljuqs were
even less successful than their Armenian predecessors
(Arsaeids,Bagratids) in holding together in one state the
different parts of eastern Asia Minor. As was mentioned
above, centrifugal tendencies were inherent in the very
nature of the Turkish migrations/invasions. Furthermore,
the ruling family of the Saljuas--just as their Armenian
predecessors-was obliged to grant appanages to Junior
the Turks had slain BeSken in Jawaxet' and had come and
encamped on the shores of the Araz. He went against them,
destroying and capturing their entire army....He struck
at the Turks in [their] wintering grounds of T '
uiark '
and
filled up with booty. On the 13th of February and on the
same septenary of fasting, he took Kapa city and filled
up Georgia with gold and silver. 0n May 5th he raided
v
LayiSk' as far as K'urdawan and Xstalan and returned to
X '
art '
11 in wealth. The same year he went to Alomi and
beat the army of Turks until there were not left [even]
mourners in their tents....Now the Turkmens ascended the
mountains of Armenia in summertime and in wintertime
descended to the warm meadows by the banks of the Kur
river-but not without great preparation due to fear of
David. However, that year they were without a care because
of the king's distance. The king returned, sklring Mt.
Lixt before him, and came to X'art'll. He found prepared
troops in the month of March and went to Zunan and did
not allow [any] of the multitude of Turks to live. He
crossed to Partaw and discovered in the villages, fugitives
from the Turks. .He put them to the sword and returned
in peace" (Juanser, p.118-20).
1
See the Introduction and also ch. 3 below.
76