Gagik I Artsruni

Gagik I Artsruni
King of Vaspurakan
Depiction of Gagik in the central medallion, from the eastern facade of the Church of the Holy Cross
Reign	904–937/943
Investiture	908
Predecessor	Ashot-Sargis Artsruni
Successor	Derenik-Ashot
Born	879/880
Died	936 or 943
Issue	Derenik-Ashot, Abusahl-Hamazasp
Armenian	Գագիկ Ա Արծրունի
House	Artsruni

Gagik I Artsruni (Armenian: Գագիկ Ա Արծրունի; 879/880 – 936/943) was an Artsruni ruler of Vaspurakan in southern Armenia, first as prince of northwestern Vaspurakan (Gagik III, 904–908) and after that until his death as king, claiming also the title of "King of Armenia" from the Bagratid line.

Since the end of the 7th century, Armenia was under Arab dominion and headed by an ostikan (governor) representing the Umayyad, and later Abbasid caliphates, and was the scene of numerous battles against the Byzantine Empire since the 9th century. To strengthen the Arab authority, these ostikans were implanted into various regions of Armenian emirs; the historical province of Vaspurakan was no exception to this. In opposition, the Armenian nobility created ishkhans (princes) to gradually extend their authority in the region.

Second son of Grigor-Derenik Artsruni, the Prince of Vaspurakan, and Sophia Bagratuni, the daughter of King Ashot I of Armenia, Gagik was born in 879 or 880. Upon the death of Grigor-Derenik in 887, Gagik Apumrvan Artsruni became regent of Vaspurakan (and later ishksan) and was given Grigor-Derenik's three children Gagik, Ashot-Sargis, and Gurgen. In response to Gagik Apumrvan Artsruni's defection in a military operation ordered by Smbat I, Gagik I Artsruni killed Gagik Apumrvan Artsruni and Ashot-Sargis was given the regency. In response to this, Smbat I promoted Gagik to the rank of general and Gurgen to marzpan (governor).