- Sparapet
Sparapet (Armenian: Սպարապետ) was a hereditary military rank used in ancient and medieval Armenia, such as the
Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia . The bearer of the title, sometimes translated as Constable, was supreme commander of the armed forces. It was the equivalent of theParthia nSpahbod (cf. Georgian "spaspet ";Commander in chief ). The House ofMamikonian traditionally held the title until their weakening and eventual settlement in theByzantine Empire in the eighth century, whenBagratuni and Artsruni feudal lords adopted the rank.Modern usage
After his assassination, Armenian Prime Minister
Vazgen Sargsyan was called the Sparapet in some popular songs in reference to his military leadership inNagorno-Karabakh . The title is also used for the Grand Commander of the Knights of Vartan, an Armenian American fraternal order. The title was held byAlex Manoogian during his leadership of that organization.ee also
*
Sempad the Constable External links
* [http://rbedrosian.com/spar1.htm The Sparapetutyun in Armenia in the Fourth and Fifth Centuries]
* "Cilician Kingdom", "Dictionary of the Middle Ages"
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