Armenia's Lost Kingdom: The Principality of Khachen

After the fall of the Bagratuni kingdom and the Seljuk invasions, much of historic Armenia fell under foreign rule — but in the rugged mountains of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), a small Armenian principality not only survived but thrived for centuries. This episode explores the Principality of Khachen (also known as the Kingdom of Artsakh), a little-known but resilient Armenian state that endured from the 10th to the 18th century. We discuss how its mountain fortresses, like the impenetrable fortress of Kachen, and its strategic location along trade routes allowed it to resist Mongol, Turkic, and Persian invasions. We also cover its unique cultural legacy, including the creation of the Dadivank monastery complex and the spectacular Haghpat Monastery (though it's in neighboring Lori, the cultural ties are deep). And we touch on the rise of the melikdoms — the Armenian noble houses that preserved a degree of autonomy under Persian rule, and whose legacy fueled later Armenian nationalism. This is a story of survival against the odds, and a crucial chapter in Armenia's long history of endurance. #Khachen #Artsakh #NagornoKarabakh #Dadivank #Haghpat #Melikdoms #ArmenianHistory #Caucasus #MedievalArmenia #Seljuk #MongolInvasion #Safavid #ArmenianNobility #Fortress #MountainKingdom #Survival #History #FexingoHistory #MountArarat #Urartu Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo