Kingdom of Tashir-Dzoraget | ||||||||||
Տաշիր-Ձորագետի Թագավորություն | ||||||||||
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Kingdom of Tashir-Dzoraget c. 1017 A.D.
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Capital | Matsnaberd (979-1065) Lori (1065-1118) |
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Languages | Armenian | |||||||||
Religion | Armenian Apostolic Church | |||||||||
Government | Monarchy | |||||||||
King | ||||||||||
• | 979–989 | Kiurike I | ||||||||
• | 1089–1118 | David II of Lori | ||||||||
Historical era | Middle Ages | |||||||||
• | Established | 979 | ||||||||
• | Kiurike I becomes the first ruler. | 979 | ||||||||
• | David II transfers and rules in Matsnaberd till 1118, some of his heirs continue existence to lesser extent till later. | |||||||||
• | Disestablished | 1118 | ||||||||
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Kingdom of Tashir-Dzoraget (Armenian: Տաշիր-Ձորագետի Թագավորություն Tashir-Dzorageti t'agavorut'yun), alternatively known as the Kingdom of Lori or Kiurikian Kingdom, was a medieval Armenian kingdom formed in 979 by the Kiurikian dynasty under the protectorate of the Bagratid kings of Armenia. The capital of the kingdom was Matsnaberd, currently part of modern-day Azerbaijan.
It was located on the territories of modern-day northern Armenia, northwestern Azerbaijan and southern Georgia. The founder of the kingdom and the Kiurikian dynasty was king Kiurike I (also known as Gurgen I).
In 979 King Smbat II of Armenia granted the province of Tashir to his brother Kiurike with the title of king. The branch went on to outlive the main one in Ani.
It became especially strong during the reign of King David I Anhoghin who succeeded his father Kiurike and ruled between 989 and 1048. David I Anhoghin conquered some territories from Emirates of Tbilisi and Ganja, and chose Samshvilde as his residence. Later on, he tried to gain independence from the Bagratid kings of Ani. However, after failing he was punished by King Gagik I. His properties were confiscated to become known as "Anhoghin" meaning "the Landless." David I was succeeded by Kiurike II who ruled between 1048 and 1089). After the fall of the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia, Kiurike II was bestowed by the Byzantines with the title of Kouropalates.
Kiurike II moved the capital from Matsnaberd to Lori in 1065.