Nvarsak Treaty

The Nvarsak Treaty was signed between the Armenian general Vahan Mamikonian and the representatives of the Sassanian Persian king Balash at Nvarsak in 484.[1]

Overview

The Nvarsak Treaty was concluded after king Peroz I was killed by the Hepthalites[2] amid the 30-year Armenian guerrilla efforts.[3] An account also cited that the Battle of Avarayr and the Armenian resistance to paganism contributed to the agreement.[3] This treaty ensured religious freedom and autonomy for Armenians.[4]

The conditions of the treaty were as follows:

  • 1. All existing fire-altars in Armenia should be destroyed and no new ones should be constructed.[5]
  • 2. Christians in Armenia should have freedom of worship and conversions to Zoroastrianism should be stopped.[6]
  • 3. Land should not be allotted to people who convert to Zoroastrianism
  • 4. The Persian King should, in person, administer Armenia and through the aid of Governors or deputies.[7]

Following the treaty, Vahan Mamikonian was appointed governor of the Persian province of Armenia.

The treaty, however, was breached when, in 572, the Persian king, Chosroes I, built a Zoroastrian fire-temple in Armenia. It was part of the conflict between Persia and Byzantium, with the former demanding that Armenians abjure their faith.[8] The move incited a new Armenian rebellion.

References
  1. A. Hacikyan, Nourhan Ouzounian, Edward S. Franchuk, Gabriel Basmajian, The Heritage of Armenian Literature, Vol.1, (Wayne State University Press, 2000), 259.
  2. Nicholson, Oliver (2018). The Oxford Dictionary of Late Antiquity. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 137. ISBN 9780198662778.
  3. JWD. "Feast of Vardanats on Thursday March 7, 2019 | Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem". Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  4. Razmik Panossian, The Armenians: From Kings And Priests to Merchants And Commissars, (Columbia University Press, 2006), 48.
  5. The Political History of Iran under the Sasanians, R.N. Frye, The Cambridge History of Iran, Vol.3, Ed. Yarshater, 149.
  6. The Political History of Iran under the Sasanians, R.N. Frye, 149.
  7. The Political History of Iran under the Sasanians, R.N. Frye, 149.
  8. Byfield, Ted; Byfield, Michael; Byfield, Virginia; Demmon, Calvin (2004). The Sword of Islam: A.D. 565 to 740 : the Muslim Onslaught All But Destroys Christendom. Christian History Project. p. 261. ISBN 0968987346.
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