To return to Armenia, it is interesting to note an important difference between the Arshakouni and Bagratouni dynasties: in the Arshakouni dynasty the offices in the government, such as the military supreme commander, were inherited within a specific noble family (the Mamikonian family during the previous dynasty), whereas during the era of the Bagratouni dynasty it was the king – often an inexperienced soldier – or his brother who possessed this title and led the country's army.
As in former times, strong battlements remained factors in the defence of Armenia and Armenians continued to build new fortresses in strategically important locations. As well as the castles, which were home to the Armenian feudal lords, the Armenian cities were defended in part by high walls and towers, safe havens where the population of the city could seek shelter should the city be besieged.
In his book, the Armenian architect Thoramanian, whom we have mentioned earlier, comes to the conclusion that the beautiful and strong fortresses of Ani, whose ruins are still standing, were only a small part of the old city of Ani and that the major part of the city was situated to the side of these fortresses. It is from this period that the majority of the fortresses originate, the remains of an annihilated civilisation still scattered across Armenian cities.
The fact that only in Vaspourakan alone (a province south-west of Lake Van belonging to the Artzrouni noble family), there were 70 fortresses indicates how important these were.
It was not only the palaces of the nobility and the cities who had fortresses, but also the suburbs, churches, monasteries and even the cottages were also equipped with defence mechanisms. "The Armenians regarded the countless walls, towers and the fortifications as an efficient guaranty for the defence of their property, freedom and independence. When these towers and fortifications were needed, they were armed with defenders. These consisted especially of the nobility and their loyal subjects. The peasants and the shepherds also defended themselves with their sPears and tools, as soon as they heard the call of their masters. The habitants of the villages and the mountain-dwellers were courageous people and were of great military importance, but the cities also had their own guerrilla-fighters. It was these forces that managed to drive the enemy back, conquer it in war, surprise it during its advancing march or even after its victory and destroy it during its plundering and murdering." 102
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