08 May 2003, 19:12
Kars empire
The Armenian feudal state in the area of Vanand with the capital in Kars (963-1064). It was allocated from a Shirak empire of Armenian Bagratids after declaration of the city Ani the capital of the state in 961. But the Kars kings of Bagratuni dynasty were in vassal dependence from the Ani ones. At a Musheg (ruled in 963-984) the Kars empire played a role of an advanced post of the Ani empire in the struggle against Byzantium. It has reached the greatest power during the Abbas reign (984-1029). After Turk-seldzhuk intrusion into Transcaucasia (1064-65) king Gagik (ruled in 1029-1065 years) had conceded its empire to Byzantium which used his territory for struggle against a Turk-seldzhuk invasion.
