The Zakarids: Armenia's Last Feudal Lords Under Mongol Rule

In the shadow of the Mongol Empire, a noble Armenian family rose to power, ruling a semi-autonomous principality that preserved Armenian culture, rebuilt churches, and kept the flame of Armenian statehood alive. The Zakarids (Zakare and Ivane) served the Ilkhanate as vassals, managing to protect their people from the worst of Mongol demands while maintaining Armenian identity. This episode explores their delicate balancing act: how they navigated Mongol taxation, the tamgha, and military conscription, while patronizing monasteries like Haghpat and Sanahin, and commissioning the famous khachkars that dot the landscape. We also uncover the little-known role of Ivane's conversion to Chalcedonian Christianity and the resulting split with his brother Zakare, who remained Armenian Apostolic. This is a story of pragmatic survival, cultural resilience, and the quiet heroism of ruling under an empire that could crush you at any moment. #Zakarids #MongolArmenia #Zakare #Ivane #Ilkhanate #Caucasus #Haghpat #Sanahin #khachkar #ArmenianHistory #MongolEmpire #Feudalism #MedievalArmenia #Chalcedonian #Tamgha #History #FexingoHistory #ArmenianChurch Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo