BAGRATIDI. – A powerful dynasty of Armenian princes, knights of the Armenian crown, possessing the prerogative of crowning the king. During the period of Arab domination, the B., having won the favor of the caliphs, created an independent kingdom (885–1045), during which Armenia experienced an era of great prosperity, and a great number of churches and monasteries were built through royal munificence. Many kings and princes were honored on the altars, such as Sahak, martyred in the 5th century; Sembat, commander-in-chief (9th century); Sembat I, and other confessors.
BIBL.: H. Thopdschian, Politische und Kirchengeschichte Armenicus unter Arat I und Sembat I, Berlino 1905; K. Aslan, Etudes historiques sur le peuple arménien, Parigi 1928, pp. 203–304; G. Amaduni, Monarchismo, Venezia 1940, p. 135.