Gnuni

Gnuni (Armenian: Գնունի; c. 300–800.) was a princely family in Armenia, who ruled the region of Aliovit, including the cities of Archesh, Arberani and Berkri on the northern shore of Lake Van.^[1] They were an offshoot of the Orontids.^[1]

Origins

The Gnunis claimed descent from the Assyrian king Sennacherib (r. 705–681 BC).^[2] It mirrors the Bagratuni claim of Davidic descent and the Mamikonian claim of descent from the royal Han dynasty and is usually interpreted as a piece of genealogical mythology.^{[citation needed]} The Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi is the first to mention this claim. This tradition likely developed among those houses after the Christianization of Armenia in the early 4th century, drawing from the biblical account according to which Sennacherib's sons Adramelech and Sharezer fled to Armenia after murdering their father (Isaiah 37:38). Khorenatsi writes that the Armenian leader Skayordi settled one of the princes, Sanasar (biblical Sharezer), on the mountain of Sim (in the region of Sasun) and from him descended the Artsrunis and the Gnunis.^[3]

Main rulers

• Atat Gnuni c. 387, deposed
• Atom Gnuni c. 445
• Vahan Gnuni c. 451
• Atom Gnuni and Arastom Gnuni c. 480
• Mjej Gnuni c. 628
• Vahan Gnuni a.k.a. Dachnak Gnuni c. 772

Around 772, Manazkert and Aghiovit were occupied by the Qayasite Dynasty.

See also

• List of regions of old Armenia