|
The Armenian nobility ((アルメニア語:Հայ ազնվականություն)) was a class of persons which enjoyed certain privileges relative to other members of society under the laws and customs of various regimes of what is now Armenia, also Russia, Iran and Turkey until the beginning of the 20th century. Governments which recognized or conferred nobility were the Orontid Armenia (570-331 B.C.), Great Armenia (331 B.C.-428 A.D.), Bagratid Armenia (885-1045) and the a Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (1198-1375). Also Armenian nobility was recognized by Sassanid Empire (Marzpanate Armenia, 428-642) and Byzantine Empire (Byzantine Armenia, 387-650), Arab caliphate (Arminiya 654-884), also Seljuk Empire (Armenian Kingdoms of Vanand 963-1065, Syunik 987-1170 and Lori 978-1113), Mongol Empire (Zakarid Armenia, 13-rd century), Kara Koyunly and Ak Koyunlu turkomans (14-15-rd centuries) Ottoman Empire, Safavid Iran and Russian Empire. All legal privileges of the nobility were officially abolished after the Armenian Genocide in Turkey (1915) and the October Revolution in Russia (1917). The little number of Armenian noble people that lived in Iran, lost their noble rights after the Islamic Revolution (1979). The system of nobility in the former Armenian states was similar to the nobility of Cilicia. ==Terminology== Members of the upper class of medieval Armenian society were known as ''nakharars'' ((アルメニア語:նախարար)) and ''azats'' ((アルメニア語:ազատ)), (also ''aznvakans'' ((アルメニア語:ազնվական))). Translated from contemporary Armenian the word ''azat'' literally means "the one who is free", a "freeman." The word ``Azat" is derived from the Middle Persian word "azat" and equivalent to modern Persian "âzâd". The lower-aristocratic portion Sassanid Persian society was dominated by the ''Azatan'', who guarded their status as descendants of ancient Aryan conquerors. The ''Azatan'' were low-level administrators, mostly living on small estates. This knightly caste provided the cavalry backbone of the Sassanid army. Armenian noble clans traced their origins either back to the gods of the old Armenian religion - most of which were based on the Persian Zoroastrian faith - or to the heroes and patriarchs of the Armenian people or the origins of non-Armenian families. For example, the noble houses of Vahevuni and Mehnuni were believed to be offspring of Vahagn and Mihr, ancient Armenian deities of fire and war, and heavenly light and justice respectively. The House of Artzruni traced its origins to Sanasar, son of Mher from the Armenian epos Sasna Tzrer, i.e. to the same Persian deity Mihr. According to the Armenian aristocratic tradition, the princely houses of Khorkhoruni, Bznuni, Mandakuni, Rshtuni, Manavazian, Angelea (Angegh tun), Varajnuni, Vostanikyan, Ohanian, Cartozian, Apahuni, Arran tun and some others, are all believed to be direct descendants of Nahapet (Patriarch) Hayk, whose epithet was ''Dyutsazn'' (from Ancient Greek ''θεός'', meaning "divine"), or of Hayk's descendants. It is quite common in all parts of the world for members of the nobility to purport to trace their ancestry back to gods, or legendary heroes. Besides that, Bagratuni dynasty is believed to have origins from Israel, according to Movses Khorenatsi, as they transferred to Armenia in 6th century B.C. Mamikonyan dynasty comes from Chineses Mamgun, Kamsarakans - from Persian Karen and so on. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Armenian nobility」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|