Background
Second son of Grigor-Derenik Artsruni, the Prince of Vaspurakan, and Sophia Bagratuni, the daughter of King Ashot I of Armenia, Gagik was born in 879 or 880.
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Gagik Gagik I of Vaspurakan
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Since the end of the seventh century, Armenia was under Arab dominion and headed by an ostikan (governor) representing the Umayyad, and later Abbasid caliphates, and was the scene of numerous battles against the Byzantine Empire since the ninth century. To strengthen the Arab authority, these ostikans were implanted into various regions of Armenian emirs. The historical province of Vaspurakan was no exception to this.
In opposition, the Armenian nobility created ishkhans (princes) to gradually extend their authority in the region.
Youth and regency
Upon the death of Grigor-Derenik in 887, Gagik Apumrvan Artsruni became regent of Vaspurakan (and later ishksan) and was given Grigor-Derenik"s three children Gagik, Ashot-Sargis, and Gurgen. In response to Gagik Apumrvan Artsruni"s defection in a military operation ordered by Smbat I, Gagik I Artsruni killed Gagik Apumrvan Artsruni and Ashot-Sargis was given the regency.
In response to this, Smbat I promoted Gagik to the rank of general and Gurgen to marzpan (governor). Ishkhan
King
However, Gagik later reversed his position and allied himself with Smbat"s son and successor, Ashot World War II
