Smbat I (; 850–912/14), sometimes called Smbat the Martyr () was the second king of the medieval Kingdom of Armenia of the Bagratuni dynasty, and son of Ashot I.Багратиды // Большая школьная энциклопедия, том 2, издательство «Армянская_энциклопедия» He was the father of Ashot II and Abas I. He inherited the Armenian throne in 890, but his rule was firmly established only in 892. After the death of Ashot I, the Armenian throne passed to Smbat according to the principle of seniority. However, Ashot I’s brother, Abas Sparapet (Commander-in-Chief), also claimed the throne.. "K'art'velized branch of the Armenian Bagratuni family (as is evident from the early Georgian form of their name, Bagratuniani) — resuscitated local royal authority in the late ninth century and then assembled an all-Georgian kingdom." As a result, a struggle for succession broke out, leading to internal conflicts that developed into civil wars. Eventually, Smbat defeated his uncle and secured the Armenian throne in 892. In the same year, Smbat’s authority was officially recognized by the Arab Caliphate. Also in 892, he captured Dvin, the last Arab stronghold in Armenia. He incorporated the provinces of Tayk, Taron, Arzanene, Upper Armenia (Bardzr Hayk), and the Javakhk district of Gugark into the kingdom. According to the historian Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsi, during Smbat’s reign the borders of Armenia extended east to Atropatene (Adurbadagan), west to the Euphrates River, north to Georgia, and south to the Taurus Mountains.Անանունի պատմության այս հատվածը կցված է Սեբեոս պատմիչի Պատմությանը, Պատմութիւն Սեբէոսի, աշխատասիրությամբ Գ. Վ. Աբգարյանի, Երևան, 1979։
Smbat, continuing his father’s policy, concluded a treaty with the Byzantine Empire in 893, during the reign of Leo VI. The treaty was primarily a commercial agreement that played an important role in the economic development of Bagratid Armenia. At the same time, it also served as an alliance and a treaty of friendship. At that time, Afshin, the ruler of the Sajid emirate of Azerbaijan, had been appointed governor of Armenia. Unable to accept the growing Armenian-Byzantine rapprochement, he invaded Armenia with his army. However, Smbat I resolved the situation through diplomacy, and Afshin withdrew to Azerbaijan.
In 894, a devastating earthquake struck Armenia, leaving the capital Dvin half-ruined and defenseless. Approximately 70,000 people lost their lives in the disaster. Taking advantage of these favorable circumstances, Afshin gathered another army and invaded Armenia once again. The battle took place near the village of Doghs in the district of Aragatsotn, where Afshin’s forces suffered a crushing defeat and were compelled to seek peace from Smbat. A brief period of peace was established in Armenia, which Smbat used to strengthen and centralize the state. He launched campaigns into Gugark, which had been occupied by the Georgians, and reunified it with Armenia. In 899, Smbat crowned the Georgian prince Adarnase Bagratuni as King of Georgia, seeking to align Iberia with the interests of the Armenian kingdom. In 901, Afshin was succeeded by Yusuf, who invaded Armenia and captured Dvin. Smbat besieged the city and recaptured it, forcing Emir Yusuf to retreat to Atropatene. In 903, the Abkhazians began raiding Gugark and Iberia. Smbat assembled a large army, campaigned against the Kingdom of Abkhazia, conquered it, and annexed several Abkhazian districts to his kingdom, including Klarjeti and Ardahan.
Seeing that he could not defeat Smbat by military force, Yusuf resorted to cunning. At that time, internal conflicts had arisen between the Artsruni and Siuni noble houses, and Smbat had settled the dispute in favor of the Siunis. Gagik Artsruni was dissatisfied with this decision and rebelled. Yusuf seized this opportunity to sow discord among the Armenians. He immediately sent a crown to Gagik and recognized him as King of Armenia. At the same time, in 909, Yusuf invaded Armenia from Azerbaijan with his army. The decisive battle took place in 910 at Dzknavachar, where Smbat was defeated after the Sevordi princes betrayed him. At the same time, the Arab emirs in Armenia, who had previously paid tribute to Smbat, revolted. Many Armenian princes with separatist ambitions also joined the rebellion. Smbat took refuge in the Kapuyt Fortress, which Yusuf soon besieged. During the negotiations, Yusuf guaranteed Smbat’s personal safety. In order to spare the country from further devastation, Smbat surrendered. However, Yusuf broke his oath, subjected Smbat to torture, and took him to Dvin. There he attempted to force Smbat to order the defenders of the Armenian fortresses and strongholds to surrender, but Smbat refused. In 914, Yusuf had Smbat beheaded, and his body was crucified on the gates of Dvin.Մարիամ Գրիգորյան, ԲԱԳՐԱՏՈՒՆԻՆԵՐԻ ԾԱԳՄԱՆ ՀԱՐՑԻ ՇՈՒՐՋ։ Պատմաբանասիրական հանդես։ ՀՀ Գիտությունների ազգային ակադեմիա։ Երևան,, 2010 թվական, թիվ 2 (116)։
Biography The Bagratid Kingdom during the Reign of Ashot the Great’s Successors In 890, Ashot I, the first king of the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia, died. Following the principle of primogeniture, the throne passed to his eldest son, Smbat I. However, Smbat was unable to attend his father’s funeral because he was engaged in military campaigns in Gugark. After returning to Armenia and observing the customary mourning rites, he ascended the vacant Armenian throne. Smbat’s uncle, Abas Sparapet (Commander-in-Chief), also harbored ambitions for the Armenian crown. For this reason, he withdrew to the district of Vanand and waited for a favorable opportunity to rebel. The occasion arose with the visit of Adarnase Bagratuni, the Georgian prince who was heir to the Georgian throne. Adarnase first visited Abas, offering his condolences on the death of Ashot I. He then informed Abas that he also intended to visit Smbat. Abas advised him not to do so, but Adarnase assured him that he held no bias between the rival claimants to the throne and proceeded to meet Smbat. After expressing his condolences, Adarnase dressed Smbat in royal garments as a sign of recognition of his kingship. Abas interpreted this act as a betrayal. Consequently, when Adarnase returned to Abas, the latter had the Georgian prince arrested.V. Minorsky / Caucasica IV/ Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. Volume 15, Issue 3 October 1953, pp. 504-529The Barda-Ardabil road crosses Armenia, and all the villages and towns on this section belong to Smbat I, who was taken from him by Yusuf ibn Abil-Saj (may Allah be pleased with him) because of betrayal and encroachments and contrary to the commands of God and His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him).
This incident led to a conflict between Smbat and his uncle Abas. Seeing to prevent internal strife, the Catholicos of Armenia appealed to Abas and asked him to release Adarnase. In return, Abas demanded that two fortresses, which Adarnase had previously taken from Gurgen, the husband of Abas’s sister, be restored to him. Adarnase immediately complied with this demand. Nevertheless, Abas broke his oath and continued to keep Adarnase imprisoned. Disappointed by Abas’s actions, the Catholicos turned to Smbat for assistance. Outraged by his uncle’s conduct, Smbat resumed hostilities. Realizing the superiority of Smbat’s military forces, Abas withdrew into the fortress of Kars and soon sought peace negotiations. Wishing to avoid a civil war among the Armenians, Smbat agreed to negotiate and, in exchange for peace, demanded the release of Adarnase from prison. Abas accepted this condition, and Adarnase was freed.
After the succession struggle had ended, in 892 the Abbasid Caliph al-Mu’tadid Billah sent a crown and royal robes to Smbat through Afshin, thereby formally recognizing him as King of Armenia. At the same time, Afshin was appointed governor of Armenia while also administering Atropatene. Smbat’s coronation took place in the capital, Shirakavan. Witnessing these developments, Abas once again became consumed by jealousy and began taking action against Catholicos Gevorg, who supported Smbat. He attempted to spread false accusations against the Catholicos, but his efforts proved unsuccessful.
Leo VI the Wise of the Armenian (Macedonian) Dynasty in the Byzantine Empire Smbat faithfully continued the policies of his father, Ashot I. In 893, he traveled to Byzantium and began negotiations with the imperial court in Constantinople. At that time, the Byzantine Empire was ruled by Leo VI the Wise, a representative of the Armenian (Macedonian) dynasty. A commercial treaty was concluded between Armenia and Byzantium. This agreement was of great importance not only for Byzantium and Armenia but also for the Arab Caliphate, since the Byzantine–Arab frontier was closed, preventing direct trade between the two powers. Armenia, therefore, could serve as the intermediary connecting them. However, the principal objective of the treaty was not economic cooperation but the establishment of an alliance and friendly relations. As a result, Armenia and Byzantium developed an allied relationship, although this alliance was not formally stipulated in the text of the treaty.
Afshin closely monitored these developments from Atropatene. Understanding the true nature of the Armenian–Byzantine agreement, he invaded Armenia with his army. In response, Smbat assembled an army of 30,000 men and marched to confront him. Afshin had not expected such a large military force. Smbat sent envoys to Afshin, assuring him that there was no reason for concern, since the Armenian–Byzantine treaty was merely a commercial agreement. Afshin, however, agreed to withdraw peacefully less because he trusted Smbat’s assurances than because he feared the strength of the Armenian army. Smbat then turned to one of his principal objectives: to unite all Armenian lands under a single kingdom and establish a unified Armenian state. To achieve this, he decided to capture Dvin. He laid siege to the city and spent two years attempting to conquer it. Eventually, Dvin surrendered. Smbat arrested its two Arab governors and sent them to Byzantium to Leo VI the Wise. After securing Dvin, Smbat launched a campaign to the north and brought several kingdoms located on the opposite bank of the Kura River under his authority. His rule was also extended over the Alan Gates and Kakheti.