Vahram Pahlavouni
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Vahram Pahlavouni (967 - 1045) was one of the greatest Armenian commander and Prince of Bjni and Nik and sparapet of the Armenian army.
In 1041 Vahram Pahlavouni prepared the coronation of the successor to Smbat III, king’s nephew Gagik II who at that time was only fourteen years old, the Byzantine emperor began supporting a rebel, Vest Sarkis, an Armenian pro-Byzantine prince of and minister of the former King who took over the city of Ani with Byzantine support. After this the Kingdom of Ani resisted three assaults of the Byzantine Empire, forcing them to retreat. Byzantium exerted its forces to the outmost in order to conquer Armenia and once for all annex it to the empire. To this end, they sent a great army to the southern part of Armenia and at the same time convinced the Albanian king to attack Armenia from the east. At the fierce battle that was fought by the walls of Ani, general Vahram Pahlavuni heavily defeated the Byzantine army, forcing them to leave 20,000 dead behind. This victory allowed Vahram Pahlavuni along with Catholicos Petros Guedadarts to crown Gagik II king of Armenia and subsequently take the fortress of Ani, which was in the hands of Vest Sarkis. Sarkis ran away to the fortress of St. Mary and was eventually captured. After this great victory, the new Armenian king, together with Vahram, defeated the Seljuk Turks. Nevertheless, Byzantine diplomacy, the fault of Gagik II, treachery of Catholicos Petros led to the occupation of the Kingdom of Ani in 1045 by Byzantine troops.
Vahram's military talent and heroic contributions were sung in the Armenian literature and popular songs. Vahram built a monastery and the Marmarashen fortress.
