Gagik I

Gagik I succeeded his brother Smbat II in 989 and ruled Armenia until 1020. His son Hovhannes-Smbat followed him.¹²

Under Gagik the Bagratid kingdom of Ani reached the height of its power. The cathedral of Ani was completed, and churches, chapels, monasteries and schools were built across the country.¹ The architect Trdat the Architect, who built the cathedral, also worked on the Church of Gagik.²

The kingdom grew rich from trade between the East and the Mediterranean. Nakhichevan, Ardzen and Baghesh (Bitlis) became major trade centers, where goods from Persia, Arabia, India and China were exchanged.¹ Gagik kept clear of the wars of the Byzantine emperor Basil II. After his death the Byzantines pressed Armenia hard, and Senekerim gave up his kingdom of Vaspurakan to Basil in exchange for Sebastia, now Sivas.¹