Smbat Zarekhavantsi

Smbat Zarekhavantsi 

Date of birth unknown; died in the 830’s or 840’s. One of the founders and leaders of the Thondraki movement in Armenia.

Smbat Zarekhavantsi was active in the area around the city of Manzikert, north of Lake Van. He and his adherents called for an end to inequality and feudal privileges and advocated equality in both property and legal rights. Smbat’s activities were suppressed by Abul-Bard, the Muslim emir of Manzikert, and Smbat himself perished. The Armenian feudal lords exulted in Smbat’s demise, and feudal Armenian historians called Abu-l’-Bard an instrument of punishment in the hands of god. The Thondraki movement, however, continued after the death of Smbat Zarekhavantsi.