List of Historical Armenian Settlements

Battle of Holy Mother of God Monastery
Date	21 July 1896
Location	Derik, Iran
Result	Armenian victory
Belligerents
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Armenakan Party	Ottoman Empire Hamidiye
Strength
17 Fedayis	400-500 Hamidiye infantry 50 Cavalry
Casualties and losses
None	Unknown

Battle of Chkhur
Date	18 May 1895
Location	Chkhur, Van Vilayet, Ottoman Empire
Result	Armenian victory
Belligerents
Armenian Revolutionary Federation	Kurdish Tribes
Strength
unknown	Initially around 100 Additional reinforcements from neighboring villages
Casualties and losses
None	Unknown

Battle of Karakilisa
Date	8 June 1894
Location	Karakilisa, Erzurum Vilayet, Ottoman Empire
Result	Armenian victory
Belligerents
Armenian Revolutionary Federation	Ottoman Empire Kurdish Tribes;
Strength
unknown	initially unknown 40 mounted soldiers local Kurds
Casualties and losses
2 captured (Arakel and Mkron)	Heavy

Ayrarat Region


Name	Modern-day	Modern Country
Aghdzk	Aghdzk	Armenia
Anggh		Turkey
Ani	Ani	Turkey
Aramana		Turkey
Armavir	Armavir	Armenia
Artashat	Artaxata	Armenia
Artavazdakan
Argina
Ashotsk
Dvin
Garni
Urtsadzor
Oshakan	Oshakan
Nigatun
Kasagh	Aparan
Tandzut
Kumayri	Gyumri
Shirakavan
Yervandakert
Yervandashat
Bagaran
Mren
Shirakashat
Koghb
Erebuni	Yerevan
Vagharshapat
Yervandavan
Kars
Artagers
Kaghzvan
Zarishat
Tambat
Vorkovi
Tsolakert
Bagavan
Zarehavan
Tateon
Darevnitsberd
Vagharshakert
Zarehavan
Kechror
Avnik
Vagharshavan
Daroynk
Salkora
Mazhankert
Yervandakan
Talin	Talin

Artsakh Region

Foundation	Name	Modern-day	Canton	Modern Country
	Kayan
	Tavush
	Parisos
	Havkakhaghats
	Vararakn	Stepanakert
	Gish
	Ktish
	Tsri
	Nakorzan
	Berdakur
	Vaykunik
	Karhat
	Getabek

Utik Region

Foundation	Name	Modern-day	Canton	Modern Country
	Partav
	Tigranakert
	Kaghankatuyk
	Paytakaran
	Gandzak
	Shamkor
	Tigranakert
	Gardman
	Getabaks
	Zakam
	Terunakan
	Yergevank
	Tus
	Yergevank
	Kayen
	Lal
	Khaghkagh

Paytakaran Region

Foundation	Name	Modern-day	Canton	Modern Country
	Vardanakert
	Alevan
	Pichan
	Varzhakan
	Yotnporakyan Bagink
	Baghan Rot
	Paytakaran
	Bagavan
	Atshi-Bagavan
	Aparshahr
	Kaghan
	Aros
	Daran

Upper Armenia Region

Foundation	Name	Modern-day	Canton	Modern Country
	Karin	Erzurum
	Hindzk
	Artsati
	Artsn
	Jermuk
	Khaghtoyarich
	Kashe
	Jerm
	Bazmaghbyur
	Vzhan
	Derjan
	Bagarich
	Brnakapan
	Vardenik
	Smbatavan
	Sper	İspir
	Sinor
	Blur
	Ishkhanadzor
	Tsumina
	Bolormor
	Tandzik
	Yerez
	Ani
	Garni
	Kamakh
	Tordan
	Armatan
	Ani-Aghivn
	Arorak

Syunik Region

Foundation	Name	Modern-day	Canton	Modern Country
	Sisakan
	Angeghadzor
	Moz
	Shaghat
	Chambarakhach
	Baghaberd
	Meghri
	Kapan	Kapan
	Agarak
	Yernjak
	Chahuk
	Shoghvaga
	Jermuk
	Hrasekaberd
	Khoghotsim
	Kapuyt
	Arpaneal
	Parakan
	Vanavan
	Sotk	Sotk
	Kot
	Gegharkuni
	Noratus
	Brnakot

Vaspurakan Region

Foundation	Name	Modern-day	Canton	Modern Country
	Van	Van
	Artashisean
	Gukants
	Tornavan
	Hayk
	Kangavar
	Voskiogha
	Nakhchavan
	Marand
	Jugha
	Avarayr
	Marakert
	Bakurakert
	Maku
	Arestavan
	Amyuk
	Karn
	Aghzi
	Akanis
	Hadamakert
	Arebanos
	Gazrik
	Nvarsak
	Hatsyun

Turuberan Region

Foundation	Name	Modern-day	Canton	Modern Country
	Archesh
	Zarishat
	Artske
	Tsumb
	Manazkert
	Dalaris
	Trndrak
	Khlat
	Teghut
	Metski
	Kop
	Haykashen
	Datvan
	Baghesh
	Khut
	Mush
	Tirakatar
	Hatsek
	Brgashen
	Yeghegerd
	Aspakank
	Sluk
	Tumb
	Voghakan
	Bestavan
	Mtsurn
	Dzernak
	Tardzeank
	Kavkav
	Dzyunkert
	Horeank
	Kvars
	Ashtishat
	Bazkan
	Oghnut
	Yeriza
	Tsakhnut
	Khnus
	Havchich
	Mardaghi
	Aghi

Artaxias

Early Life

According to Movses Khorenatsi, Artaxias was taken by his wet nurse to Her, to escape persecution from Orontes IV. After arriving, the wet nurse informed Artaxias's tutor, Smbat Bagratuni, of the situation. Upon receiving the message, Smbat left his daughters in the fortress of Bayberd, gathered some of his men and left for Her. When Orontes received news of Smbat's departure, he sent scouts after him, which only delayed Smbat. When Smbat arrived, he and Artaxias crossed into Seleucid borders. Khorenatsi's account does not give any details regarding the whereabouts of Artaxias's father, Zariadres, or his brother, Mithrobouzanes. Zariadres was most likely ruling over Sophene, which was under Seleucid Dominion.

Life in the Seleucid Empire

According to the Greek geographer Strabo, Artaxias and Zariadres were Macedonian generals of the Seleucid king Antiochus III the Great (r. 222 – 187 BC). While Zariadres ruled over the Kingdom of Sophene, Artaxias was responsible for the Armenia Strategia. However, Strabo's assertion about the two kings' Macedonian origins has been disproved by the discovery of boundary stones with Aramaic engravings in Armenia, in which Artaxias proclaims himself to be an "Orontid king" and "the son of Zareh (Zariadres)."[4] This demonstrates that Artaxias and Zariadres were most likely members of the Orontid dynasty, albeit probably belonging to collateral branches.

The escape of Artaxias put plenty of stress on Orontes, who feared that he would return and dethrone him. Orontes had Smbat's men killed, and his daughters imprisoned in Ani. He sent messengers and offerings to Antiochus III to give up Artaxias. Claiming that he was just a random Median child that Smbat picked up from a family of shepherds.

"Why do you, my own blood and family, nourish the Mede Artashes in opposition to me and my kingdom, hearkening to the words of the brigand Smbat who claims that Artashes is the son of Sanatruk, and who tries to make the son of shepherds and herdsmen an Arsacid and puts him out to be your blood and kin? He is not the son of Sanatruk, but Smbat deceitfully found some Median child and is making a mockery."

Orontes also sent letters to Smbat, telling him that he was deceived by the wet nurse and to end his efforts in placing Artaxias on the throne.

"Why do you put yourself to so much futile trouble? You have been deceived by that wet nurse, and you are bringing up the son of a Mede in opposition to me."

Smbat responded in an unpleasant letter, which led to Orontes killing the guards in Bayberd and imprisoning his daughters at Ani.

Establishment of the Kingdom of Armenia

After the defeat of Antiochus III the Great at the battle of Magnesia, both Artaxias and Zariadres established themselves as Kings, with Artaxias ruling over the Araxes valley, and Zariadres continuing his rule over Sophene.

War with Orontes

Seeking to unite the Armenian highlands, Artaxias and Zariedres gathered their armies and met up at the center of the Araxes. Artaxias, with the aid of Smbat, would expand eastwards towards Syunik and Vaspurakan, while Zariedris would expand westwards, towards Acilisene and Taron. Orontes was in the province of Utik when he heard the news of Artaxias's arrival, and left immediately, leaving many princes to guard the region.

Upon entering Yervandashat, Orontes gathered troops from Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Iberia. Within this army was Argam, who was the head of the Muratsean family, who had his second rank restored by Orontes after he took it away and gave it to his brother-in-law Mithridates.

The morale in Utik was low, as Artaxias's army arrived, most of the princes surrendered. Artaxias recruited additional Alvanian men into his army and advanced from the edge of Lake Sevan to the base of Mt Aragats towards Orontes's camp, which lied 300 stadia north of Yervandashat on the Akhurean River. Knowing about Argam's army of lancers, Artaxias treaded carefully. He sent Argam a message, promising him that he would keep what he already has and double it if he was to abandon Orontes and join Artaxias.

As Artaxias and Orontes's armies confronted each other, Argam ordered his infantry to march off to the side and join Artaxias. This prompted Orontes's left and right wing to switch sides as well. The Iberians, who advanced to assault, also switched sides. When both lines clashed together, two horsemen attacked Artaxias, but was defended by Gisak Dimaksean, the son of Artaxias's wet nurse, who killed them both on foot but died having his face cut in half. The battle resulted in victory for Artaxias, forcing Orontes to flee to Yervandashat. Smbat, on the orders of Artaxias, pursued after him, while the rest of Artaxias's army encamped at Orontes's former camp, which Artaxias named Yervandavan.

When morning came, Artaxias ordered that the dead be buried and set out for Yervandashat. He would meet up with Smbat's forces at the gates of the city and commanded his army to shout "Mar amat," meaning "The Mede has come." Referencing Orontes's insults in his letters towards Artaxias by calling him a Mede. Which would culminate to the renaming of the city to Marmet.

When Artaxias's soldiers attacked the city, the garrison of the fortress surrendered and opened the gate. However, before Artaxias was able to see Orontes, one of his soldiers struck him with the head of a saber, killing him instantly. Since Orontes belonged to the Orontid dynasty, his corpse was buried with the funerary columns under the orders of Artaxias.

Following the death of Orontes, Artaxias ordered Smbat to Orontes's brother, Mithras (Armenian: Երւազ; romanized: Yeruaz), who was appointed by Orontes as the Krmapet. Smbat marched his army to Bagaran, captured him, hung a millstone around his neck, and threw him into the Akhurean river.

rewarding his allies

After the end of the civil war, Artaxias rewarded his army for their participation. He preserved Argam's role as second rank and gave him a crown decorated with rubies and sapphires, earrings, the right to use a golden fork and spoon and to drink from golden goblets, and one red slipper for his right foot. Smbat would get the same rewards as Argam minus the red slipper and the two earrings, but entrusted him with the entire Armenian army, governors of the land, and over all royal households. Smbat was also allowed to keep the slaves that he captured from Bagaran, however he would found a town with the same name behind Mt. Masis, and settle them there. Artaxias would raise the rank of Nerses Dimaksean, son of Gisak Dimaksean and grandson of Artaxias's wet nurse, to aspet. After the execution of Mithras, Artaxias gave the rank of Krmapet to a trusted dream interpreter named Mogpashte. Finally, Zariadres would continue to rule over his kingdom in Sophene.

Iberian Invasion

Following the overthrow of Orontes, the kings of Iberia, Armazel and Azork, began planning an invasion of Armenia. They managed to discretly gather support from the Jiks and Pechengs, as well as the king of the Leks, who brought Durdzuks and Didoians. When the attack commenced, the joint Ibero-Leki army managed to ravage a large part of the Ayrarat province, including the regions of Shirakan, Vanand, Bagrevand, Basen, and even down to Nakhchavan. The Iberian forces were on the road to Parisos when Artaxias managed to raise an army that could counter them. Smbat was sent to counter the North Caucasian armies, which at that point were camped on the banks of the Lori river in Kambechovani.

Smbat offered them an ultimatum; they may keep the spoils they have gained, but must return the prisoners. The North Caucasian kings refused, saying that they got what they came for, and challenged Smbat to a duel, and threatened him that they would come for him. Thus, Smbat crossed the Mtkvari with his army, and arrived at their camp.

As Smbat arrived, the king of the Alans, Bazuk, came out and challenged him to a duel. As Smbat came out on his horse, and armed with a spear, Bazuk charged at him. However Smbat struck Bazuk on the spear and threw him off his horse. Anbazuk, the brother of Bazuk, rushed to aid his brother, but Smbat speared him too, threw him off his horse, and said.

“This is for the Armenian women, men and children you have killed.”

In shock, the North Caucasian Armies rallied with the Georgian kings Armazel and Azork and charged at the Armenian army. Heavy fighting would persist for seven hours until the Armenian army gained victory. The North Caucasians fled, however Smbat pursued them and defeated the Ossetians and the Leks, while the Iberians, knowing the land, managed to flee without sustaining additional losses.

Smbat led the Armenian army into the region of Kartli and devastated it. He founded the fortress of Demotistsikhe and left a garrison in the region before he returned to Armenia. However the kings of Iberia regrouped and continued skirmishing with the garrison, they were also aided by the Alans, who seeked revenge for the death of their king. Fighting also broke out at the Armeno-Iberian border at Tayk.

Thus, King Artaxias, along with Smbat, brought his army to Mtskheta and initiated a siege that lasted for 5 months. However in the end, the joint Iberian Alanian forces began to face problems and appealed for peace. King Artaxias heeded their request and vassalized Iberia and Alania.

Reign

According to the Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi, Artaxias ordered the delimitation of villages and farmland, which has been confirmed by the discovery of boundary stones with Aramaic inscriptions in Armenia. Over a dozen of these boundary stones have been found and have been used to deliminate villages, farmland, and fishing spots. Despite overthrowing the satraps, many achaemenid customs would be preserved by King Artaxias. However Greek influence began to spread throughout the country. Aramaic, once used as the language of the court, was phased out and replaced with Greek, which is shown through numismatic evidence.

Founding of Artaxata

Artaxias founded the city of Artaxiasata (from Middle Persian Artaxšas-šāt, "the joy of Artaxias," abbreviated to Artaxata in Greek and Artashat in Armenian)[8] on the left bank of the Araxes River, which would serve as the capital of Armenia until the 2nd century CE.[6] It is unlikely that the former Carthaginian commander Hannibal took refuge at the Armenian court and played a role in the establishment of the city.[6] Artaxias resettled residents from Yervandashat and Armavir to Artaxata and transferred the idols of Tir, Anahit, and various other statues from Bagaran. The statue of Tir would be placed outside the city near the roads. The result of these policies led to the quick development of Artaxata, which became an important administrative, trade, cultural, and religious center. Artaxias also founded the city of Arxata, which was mentioned by Strabo, as well as the cities of Zarehavan and Zarishat, which were both named after his father, Zariadres.

Conflict with the Alans

see also Satenik

Khorenatsi writes about an Alanian incursion occurring at the Northern borders of Armenia. The Alans, having conquered the lands of Iberia, moved further southwards into Armenia. Artaxias gathered a large amount of troops and marched north to push the Alans back. After a fierce battle occurring between them, which resulted in the capture of the Alanian king's son, thus forcing the Alans to retreat north behind the Kura river, and set camp. Artaxias would further pursue them up north and set up camp south of the Kura river. The Alanian king asked for an eternal peace between the Armenians and the Alans, promising to give anything Artaxias wanted so long as he would release his son. However Artaxias refused to do so.

One day, Satenik, the king's daughter, came to the shore of the Kura river with an interpreter and begged Artaxias to release his brother.

"I speak to you, oh brave Artashes,

For you have defeated the brave Alan people;

Come, listen, to the bright-eyed Alan princess

And return the youth.

For it is unbecoming of heroes

To destroy the liveliness of other great warriors

Or to take and keep them in enslavement,

So that two valiant peoples

Are consigned to perpetual enmity."

Upon hearing the voice of Satenik, Artaxias traveled down the river to see her, and was immediately captivated by her beauty. Artaxias called on Smbat and confessed his desire for Satenik, and was willing to make peace with the Alans. Smbat dispatched a messenger to the Alanian king, who asked when Satenik should be brought. However Artaxias sought to abduct Satenik instead, as it was viewed more honorable during this period than formal acquiescence.

Artaxias mounted his horse and rode to the Alanian camp, where he lassos Satenik with his red leather and gold studded rope, and brought her back to the Armenian camp.

Marriage and family

Following Satenik's abduction, Artaxias agreed to pay the Alans vast amounts of gold and red leather, the latter of which was highly valued material among the Alans. With this, the two kings would conclude their peace treaty and a lavish wedding took place. Artaxias would go on to have five sons and would assign them various positions in the kingdom as they reached maturity:

Artavasdes, being the oldest, was the prime inheritor of the throne. He was responsible for governing the eastern regions of the kingdom and was assigned to Sparapet. Khorenatsi described Artavasdes as a brave, but jealous, cruel, selfish, and power hungry man.

Vruyr, the second oldest and wisest, was given responsibility over managing taxation, infrastructure, and all affairs in the court and was given the title hazarapet.

Mazhan, the third oldest, held a position in the army, but was later made Krmapet of the god Aramazd in Ani.

Tigran, the fourth oldest, was entrusted with the western half of the Armenian army.

Zariadres, the fifth oldest, was entrusted with the Northern half of the army. He was described by Khorenatsi as a boastful man who was an expert huntsman, but was incompetent at warfare.

However, unbeknownst to Artaxias, Satenik would fall in love with a man named Argavan who was a descendant of the Vishaps, which Khorenatsi associates to Argam Muratsean.

Conflict with Argam

Despite Artaxias not knowing about Satenik's affair with Argam, Artavasdes finds out and convinces Artaxias that Argam was plotting against him and planned to take over the kingdom. Artaxias would strip Argam of his second rank and transfer it to Artavasdes. After this, Artaxias and Artavasdes went to Argam's banquet, and on the pretext of a suspicion that a plot was planned against the king, Artavasdes started a fight with Argam.

During the confusion, Artaxias returned to Artaxata and sent Mazhan to slaughter the Muratseans and burn down Argam's palace. Two years later, Artaxias ordered Argam to give up his possessions, with the exception of his concubine. However Artavasdes was not satisfied with depriving Argam of his second rank, thus he seized the city of Naxuana, all the villages belonging to the Muratseans, and appropriated their palaces and fortresses for his own inheritance. Unable to bare this, one of Argam's sons instigated a revolt, but was put down by Artavasdes, which resulted in a massacre of all able bodied men and confiscation of their villages. Those who survived escaped to Artaxata and gained refuge at the court.

Death of Zariadres and conflict over Sophene

In 188 BC, Zariadres would die, leaving the throne open. Using this opportunity, King Artaxias attempted to take over the kingdom and unite Sophene with Armenia, however Artaxias's brother, Morphilig, (Known in Armenian as Meruzhan, Մերուժան) ascended to the throne, thus causing conflict. Morphilig would Sophene to Cappadocia, and requested Ariarathes V to send aid, which he agreed. The Cappadocian army pushed Artaxias's army out of Sophene and reinstalled Morphilig on the throne.

The Death of Satenik's father and usurpation

After the death of Satenik's father, a usurper took over the Alanian kingdom, and Satenik's brother requested Artaxias's aid. Upon the order of King Artaxias, Smbat swiftly put the usurper to flight and reinstalled Satenik's brother on the throne. The prisoners captured after the battle were resettled to the region of Artaz, which was renamed to Shavarshan but kept its original name. The Araveleank royal house claims be the descendants of the Alans and related to Satenik.

Caspian Rebellion

Khorenatsi also writes about a revolt by the Caspians, which was first started off by disobedience by the Gelae in the region of Patizhahar, which later was joined by the Caspians, who in turn began to rebel. Thus King Artaxias sent Smbat, and the entire Armenian army, to deal with the revolt. Artaxias joined Smbat for seven days, subduing the revolt and capturing the king, Zardmanos. As a reward for his service, Artaxias granted the royal portion of the villages of Goghtan to Smbat, as well as the springs of Ught and the spoils gained.

Smbat's Departure

Artavasdes became jealous of Smbat's gains, and began plotting for his murder, However both King Artaxias and Smbat found out of the plot. Disturbed, Smbat willfully abandoned his post and left for Corduene, and settled in the region of Tmorik and married an Assyrian wife. In the absence of Smbat, King Artaxias granted Artavasdes the command of the entire army, while also assigning his sons various other positions. Seeking to avenge the wrong doings that have been done against Smbat, Mazhan requested King Artaxias to strip Artavasdes and Tigranes's positions in the Armenian army, and instead entrust Zariadres with the army. However King Artaxias denied his request, and Mazhan began plotting against Tigranes. Upon finding out, Artavasdes and Tigranes ambushed and killed Mazhan during a hunt, and buried him at Bagavan as chief priest. The Vahevunis would take over the position as chief priest.

Seleucid and Iberian Invasion

In 165/4 BC, Antiochus IV Epiphanes invaded Armenia, pushing back Tigran's western army to the region of Basen. The Iberians, aided by Alans, using this opportunity, also began raiding Armenia. According to Appian, King Artaxias was captured during this invasion, however details regarding his capture aren't specified. Artavasdes, Smbat, and his brothers hastened to oppose Antiochus IV's forces, while Zareh was sent to Javakhk to repel the Iberians. The Seleucids would be defeated, and were forced to retreat. However, in Javakhk, Zareh lost the battle and was captured by the Iberians. Three years later, Smbat, Artavasdes, and Tigranes brought their armies to Trialeti, however negotiated with the Iberians to return Zareh, in exchange for an alliance with Armenia, as well as the ceding of the regions of Javakhk and Ardahan, the town of Tsunda, and the fortress of Demotistsikhe to the Iberians. In 161/0 BC, Artaxias managed to aid the satrap of Media, Timarchus, who rebelled against Seleucid rule. Artaxias most likely used this opportunity to return to Armenia.

Death and Funeral

King Artaxias would fall ill in 160 BC at the town of Bakurakert, located in the region of Marand. He sent Abeghoy, the head of the Abeghean family to the temple of Anahit located in Yekegheats to seek healing and long life from the gods. However, King Artaxias passed away prior to Abeghoy's return. Khorenatsi wrote that many would commit suicide in hearing the news of the King's death. It was said that he was placed in a gold coffin, with silk bier and litter, gold threaded robes, and his crown. His body was surrounded by his sons and his friends, as well as the military. Eventually the public joined and King Artaxias was buried.

folktale

Khorenatsi writes about a folktale that the minstrels of Goghtan sung about, that King Artaxias curses Artavasdes for his jealousy. Saying that if Artavasdes was to go hunting near Mt. Masis, the Kaj would capture him and imprison him in the mountain. Eventually, Artavasdes would go hunting near Masis and get captured by the Kaj and would be chained in a cave. It was also said that two Aralezs would try to break the chains, but the Kaj would continue to strengthen the chain.

Kukunian Expedition

The Gugunian Expedition (Armenian: Կուկունեանի արշաւանքը) was an attempt by a small group of Armenian nationalists from the Russian Empire to launch an armed expedition across the border into the Ottoman Empire in 1890 in support of local Armenians.

Background

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation was the Armenian organization of the Armenian national movement active in the region. However the newly formed party, while acting as the embodiment of the Armenian national movement, was unable to centralize the various groups operating within Russia, the Ottoman Empire, and Persia. Those of the west were preoccupied with smuggling weapons into the Ottoman Empire through Persia, while in Russia, armed groups of Armenian men were preparing expeditions to cross the border to help their western compatriots following the failure of the demonstrations in Erzurum. Of the earliest of these expeditions was that of Sargis Kukunian's (1866-1913). The leader of the expedition was a former student from the Polytechnic School in Saint Petersburg. Sargis and two other organizers of the expedition, Konstantin Lisinian and Ruben Hovhannisian, came to Tiflis from Petrograd to meet with a Deacon named Hakob who had came from the Ottoman Empire to negotiate with them on behalf of a secret organization to form an armed detachment and cross the border to fight off the various Kurdish groups plundering Armenian villages, while also explaining that the English had promised support. In June, Harutyun Agha, coming from Alashkert, had arrived in Kaghzvan to form Armenian groups in the region to fight off the Kurds, which he managed to gather around 400 men. Harutyun Agha would then cross Mount Matur with 12 men and join up with Kaj Aram from Khnus.

Kukunian would eventually get a letter, dated September 8, 1890, from this secret organization that the Russian's were already aware of the expedition and were waiting on the of the governor of the Caucasus, Sheremetev, before they could act

Like many other Russian Armenians, he was concerned with the fate of Ottoman Armenians living under the rule of the Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Initially, Gugunian had the backing of the leading Armenian nationalist party in Russia, the Dashnaks, but they soon tried to dissuade him from embarking on such an unrealistic scheme.

With financial support from wealthy Armenians living in Tbilisi and Baku, Gugunian was able to buy weapons and raise a volunteer force of 125 men.

Conflict

Gugunian went ahead with his expedition and his volunteer force set off on September 27, 1890. They crossed the border but ran low on food supplies and after a clash with Turkish and Kurdish troops, they retreated to Russia. Here they were intercepted by Cossacks who arrested 43 members of the expedition. The Russian authorities treated any Armenian nationalist activity within their empire with deep suspicion and the arrested members were put on trial. They had fought under a banner with the initials "M.H.", which could stand for either "Mother Armenia" or "Union of Patriots" in Armenian. The prosecutor at the trial, which took place in Kars in 1892, alleged that the letters meant "United Armenia", another possible – and more subversive – interpretation. 27 of the accused were convicted and exiled to Siberia.

Aftermath

Although the expedition was a failure, its members became heroes of the Armenian nationalist cause and the subject of patriotic songs.

Sources

Suny, Ronald Grigor (1993). Looking Toward Ararat: Armenia in Modern History. Indiana University Press. pp. 304 pages. ISBN 0-253-20773-8.
Ternon, Yves (1996). Les Arméniens. Seuil. pp. 436 pages. ISBN 2-02-025685-1.

The Battle of Karakilisa

The Battle of Karakilisa (Armenian: 1894 թվականի Կարաքիլիսեի կռիվը) was a small battle that occurred near the Kurdish inhabited village of Karakilisa between Armenian revolutionaries of the ARF and Ottoman soldiers later aided by local Kurds.

Background

Following constant Kurdish raids on Armenian settlements, enabled by intentional neglect by the state or sometimes direct involvement, the demand among Armenians for weapons for self defense, or even retaliation rose. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation had involved itself in organized weapons smuggling through both Persia and Russia in hopes that they could arm the Armenians of Turkish Armenia. During June of 1894, one of these groups of Armenians crossed the Russo-Turkish border and entered the region of Basen to deliver weapons and try to spread Armenian revolutionary ideas. It was on June 8th, 1894, when the Armenians were passing by the village of Karakilisa, that they had encountered Ottoman soldiers. The Armenians, who had no intention of engaging in a battle with them made it an attempt to avoid them. However the Ottoman soldiers grew suspicious of them, pursued and eventually opened fire.

The Battle

The Armenians, initially did not respond back in an attempt to avoid a confrontation, but the Ottoman soldiers were persistent and eventually the Armenian Fedayis were forced to engage in battle. The Armenians took evasive maneuvers while the local Kurds were rushing to aid the Ottoman soldiers as a result of the gunshots that could be heard across the village. The Armenians, holding more superior positions, fired back, resulting in the soldiers retreating until they could be able to muster up a stronger force. With the arrival of more local Kurdish forces from the near by villages of Mughara, Arpachay, and others, as well as the arrival of 40 mounted soldiers, the Ottomans resumed their attack on the Armenians. The battle lasted for 4 hours, with the Ottoman forces suffering significant casualties. The Armenians, on the other hand, did not suffer any casualties, and by evening escaped. Though two members from the group, Arakel and Mkron, would split off from the main group to support rear, who were transporting weapons. Although they were successful in aiding the rest of the men's' escape, the two ran out of ammunition and tried to escape through an alternative route but were captured and beaten to reveal the location of their destination, to no avail, and later imprisoned. The rest of the men would successfully escape to their destination.

The Battle of Chkhur

The Battle of Chkhur (Armenian: Չխուրի կռիվը) was a clash that occurred near the village of Chkhur between a group of Armenian fedayis and the local Kurdish inhabitants.

Background

On May 30th 1895, a small group of Armenian fedayis belonging to the Armenian Revolutionary Federation were travelling towards Van and had descended into a valley near the village of Chkhur to get some rest, and had stationed a guard on a nearby hill to keep watch. However the fedayis were spotted by a Kurdish shepherd, who then alerted the rest of the village. Soon around 100 Kurds armed with rifles would surround the Armenians and a battle would begin the mouth of Güzaldara.

The Battle

As the Kurds approached, the Fedayis began shooting, forcing them to retreat as their rifles were not very effective from a far, and were unwilling to risk their lives getting closer. The Fedayis, realizing this weakness, split into two groups, one holding their positions, while the other resting, switching intermittently until night time. As evening arrived, the Kurds managed to gather enough men from surrounding villages to fight back. However the Armenians, noticing the reinforcements, split into three groups in preparation of an attack. When the Kurds began their advance, the Armenians waited until they were close enough. The Kurds continued to advance slowly and became more confident as the Armenians held their fire. When the Kurds came close enough, the Armenians began firing from three sides, catching the Kurds completely off guard and retreating. The Armenians, using this opportunity, continued moving as night fell.

Aftermath

After the battle, an official telegram was sent from Khojab to Van reporting on the appearance of the Fedayis and Chkhur. As a result, police cordons were placed near the gorges of Varag mountain to prevent any Armenian Fedayis from entering Van.

The Battle of Arshavan

The Battle of Arshavan

Background

In the midst of the Hamidian massacres, there were only a handful of Armenian villages that had managed to resist the Turkish and Kurdish mobs. However, prior to the massacres, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation had organized itself in the region of Basen and had centered itself in the village of Arshavan. As a result of failing reforms, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation took it upon themselves to arm the villagers from any incoming threats. It was, during the massacres, that a group of Turkish looters,

Battles Source list for future reference

Sources

Դրւագներ Հ․ Յ․ Դաշնակցութեան 1

Ազատագրական Պայքարի Ռազմավարությունը Եվ Էջեր Նրա Հերոսապատումից 2

Դրօշակ 3

Մշակ 4

Karakilisa Կարաքիլիսա: 1

Sparkert Սպարկերտ: 1, 3 (10 April, 1896, No 11) (1 May, 1896, No 12)

Derik Դերիկ: 2, 3 (October 1894, No 12) (January 1930), 4 (13 August, 1894)

Arshavan Արշավան: 3 (1 July 1896, No 14)

Soghord: 1

Akhorka: 1

Սուրբ Խաչ Վանք: 1 3 (June, 1896, No 15) (June, 1896, No 16)

Spahan Lake: 1

Hayots Dzor: 1

Հեղին: 3 (January 1905)

Յունան: 3 (January 1905)

Տափըքի: 3 (January 1905)

Լաճըկանցիք: 1 (February 1905)

Շենըք: 3 (February 1905)

Սէմալ: 3 (February 1905)

Մերկեր: 3 (March 1905)

Իշխանձոր: 1 (March 1905)

Կէլի: 1 (March 1905)

Baku: 1 (March 1905)

Interesting things I've come across

Գէորգ Չաւուշի ինքնակենսագրութիւնը 3 (September 1929)

Նիկոլ Դուման (November 1929)