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Teodoros RshtuniCommander and politician
Country:
 Armenia |
Content:
- Theodore Rshtuni: A Prominent Armenian Leader
- Collaboration with Byzantium
- Conflict and Division
- Imprisonment and Release
- Arab Invasions and Alliance
- Civil Strife and Death
Theodore Rshtuni: A Prominent Armenian Leader
Early Life and Rise to PowerTheodore Rshtuni's exact birth date remains unknown. In 639, he became the presiding prince of a unified Armenia, holding this position until 643.
Collaboration with Byzantium
In 641, the Armenian Catholicos Nerses appealed to Byzantine Emperor Constans II to recognize Theodore's authority. The emperor appointed him as sparapet (commander-in-chief) of Armenia and sent the Byzantine general Procopius with troops to assist against Arab incursions.
Conflict and Division
In 643, a conflict erupted between Theodore and Procopius, leading to the division of the army into two factions. Theodore subsequently defeated the Arabs while the Byzantines suffered a setback.
Imprisonment and Release
Infuriated by these events, the Byzantines conspired to arrest and send Theodore to Constantinople. In 646, however, he was reinstated as ishkhan (presiding prince) of Armenia, holding this position until 653.
Arab Invasions and Alliance
In 650, Arab forces launched a new invasion of Armenia, devastating the regions of Vaspurakan and Ayrarat. Theodore retaliated with a significant victory over the Arabs in Vaspurakan. Subsequently, in 652, he recognized the authority of the Arab Caliphate, securing the position of supreme ruler over Armenia, Georgia, and Caucasian Albania in return.
Civil Strife and Death
Feudal conflicts within Armenia prompted another Arab incursion in 654. Theodore was taken captive with 2,000 hostages and sent to Syria, where he died in Damascus in 658.
