Summary
Arman S. Yeghiazaryan
After prince of princes of Armenia Ashot Bagratuni was proclaimed king of Armenians and Georgians (887-891), the position of the prince of princes was preserved, but its functions were restricted. For more than 50 years only the members of the royal family with the right to inherit the throne were appointed to the position.
In the reign of the Armenian king Ashot I his son Smbat was appointed to the position of the prince of princes, in the reign of Smbat I – his brothers Shapuh and David and his son Ashot II the Iron (Yerkat), then in the reign of Ashot II his brother Abas and in the reign of Abas – his son Ashot. Afterwards Smbat, Ashot the Iron, Abas and Ashot, son of Abas inherited the Armenian throne. As for Smbat’s brothers, they were appointed as prince of princes because in 897-901 Ashot the Iron, the son and the successor of Smbat I was being held hostage.