ABSTRACT
The naxarar system and political–military circumstances of the Armenian principalities at the time do not indicate any sort of territorial, administrative, and constitutional centralization. In addition to the Bagratunis, the Arcrunis of Vaspurakan and the Siwnis consecutively headed dynastic principalities or "kingdoms." The age is usually referred to as the Age of Kingdoms. Popular uprisings east and west of Armenia, including Vaspurakan and Taron were similar and part of the same general phase in Armenian as well as regional history. The short period of Hamdanid rule in Vaspurakan and Rstunik and Hamdanid–Armenian contacts have not been studied fully. The role of Tzimiskes is vital at this junction in Armenian and Near Eastern history. Matthew also repeatedly speaks of Byzantine plots to eradicate the Armenian Catholicosate and annex the Church as well. Systematically dismissed and marginalized as a heresy, Tondrakism was one of the most intriguing aspects of Armenian dissident culture.
