Mariam of Vaspurakan

Who is Mariam of Vaspurakan?

Mariam was the daughter of John-Senekerim Artsruni, an Armenian king of Vaspurakan, and the first consort of the king George I of Georgia. As a Dowager Queen of Georgia, she was a regent for her underage son, Bagrat IV, from 1027 to 1037, and was involved in diplomacy with the Byzantine Empire.

Mariam was married to George I as his first wife, but seems to have been divorced by the king so that he could marry Alda, daughter of the king of Alania. Mariam returned to prominence upon the death of George and the ascension of their son, Bagrat IV, to the throne of Georgia in 1027. During Bagart’s minority, she shared the regency with the grandees, particularly with the dukes Liparit and Ivane. In 1031/2, Mariam paid a visit to Romanos III Argyros's court at Constantinople on behalf of Bagrat, and returned with a peace treaty, the dignity of curopalates and the Byzantine bride Helena for her son.

Mariam continued to play a prominent role in Georgia’s politics even after Bagrat assumed full reigning powers.