It is interesting to note, however, that from the 8th century the Arab armies, which were sent to Armenia to repress the Armenian uprisings, consisted in part of ethnical Arabs, but in greater numbers of Turkish hired mercenaries at the service of the caliph.
The Armenians, during this entire period, lived up to their reputation and fame as skilled soldiers. From the 3rd century, when the Armenians fought with the Romans against the Sasanids; throughout the great Armenian national uprisings against Persia during the 5th century; and resistance against the Arab invasion during the 7th century; and finally in the battles against the ruling Arabs during the 8th century, the Armenian forces held their own, showing the same courage and heroism which their forefathers had displayed in defence of their fatherland.
We shall now take a look at some details regarding the Armenian military organization as it was during the Middle Ages. 48
The foundation and core of the Armenian army, which was constantly prepared to go out to battle, consisted of the princes' forces. The structure of this army was affected by the social system which prevailed in Armenia (we will view this in greater depth later on).
In Armenian society at that time, social rights were limited to those persons who served in the armies of the principalities. It was this service, for instance, which gave the person in question the right to inherit a piece of land. Every baron (nakharar), who was lord or chief over a land, owned a small army, exclusively consisting of the minor nobles and the free men (azatani or sepouh) who where his subjects. In case of war, and also in military exercises, these people were obliged to serve under the flag of their nakharar. These warriors were all riders, but needed (in the mountains or in case of a siege) there was also an infantry present. In this way, every nakharar had his own army consisting of some hundred men.
The princes of higher nobility (ishkhans) owned entire provinces which they ruled over, regarding the nakharars as their subjects. The entire armed forces of the nakharars obeyed one and the same ishkhan and constituted his army, usually of a number of several thousand men.
The total armed force of Armenia was around 15,000 men and stayed constant during over centuries.
This nobility class, with its warrior nature and almost exclusive occupation with weapons and war, makes for an interesting study. Laurent writes: "The nobility and their armed men did not know anything else but the profession of war. Each one of them and their horses were covered with steel and metal. They devoted all their time to training in handling weapons, always cleaning and polishing them, and were never separated from them voluntarily. They were able to use their weapons with great skill, both on horse and on foot. They participated in all kind of sports, among others a polo-like sport which was played on horseback. These noblemen were known for their physical strength and beauty. A handsome and strong appearance was one of the great characteristics which the contemporary Armenian historians continuously praised in their princes. According to the Armenians, the best warrior was the person who by one strike of his sword, could cleave his enemy who wore a helmet and full armour from head to waist. The Armenian historians have mentioned examples of this in their works." 52
Besides this feudal army, which although not a permanent army, undertook similar tasks and was a ready for service at any time, Armenia was able to enlist villagers and guerrilla fighters during great wars, for the defence of the country against an invading army, or during national uprisings. The temporary division consisting of villagers and guerrilla-fighters came up to 25,000 men, giving a potential total of 40,000 men in armed forces in Armenia.
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