Languages Armenian Prince Hamam Amatuni Established 8th century Capital Hemşin | Government Principality Historical era Middle Ages Disestablished 14th century | |
The Principality of Hamamshen was a small principality that was established in the 8th century by Armenians who fled the Arab invasions of Armenia.
Contents
Background
The Amatuni dynasty originated in the Artaz region in Vaspurakan who specialized in agriculture and architecture.
Migration
In the 8th century, Prince Hamam, his father Prince Shapuh Amatuni and their people migrated North to the Black Sea region in order to escape Arab invasions of Vaspurakan. They settled in the ruined city of Tambur and its surrounding villages. Prince Hamam rebuilt the city and named it Hamamshen ("Hamam's hamlet" in Armenian).
Principality
The Principality of Hamamshen was surrounded by foreign states, but they preserved their isolated independence until the 14th century.
Ottoman Conquest
In the 14th century, the region was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
Legacy
After several centuries, the name Hamamshen evolved into Hamshen in the Armenian language, and Hemshin in the Turkish language. The Armenians of Hamamshen were cut off from the rest of the Armenian social and cultural world and developed their own distinct ethnic identity.