After failure of embassy, war against Gagik II to win Armenia

Summary:
When Gagik II refused to abide by the agreement to hand over Ani and Armenia to the Byzantines, he was attacked by the forces of Konstantinos IX. Michael Iasites, katepano of Iberia, tried a swift attack, but Gagik organised his defences. Later Nikolaos, domestikos of the scholai and parakoimomenos, arrived with superior forces. Nikolaos carried letters from the emperor for the ruler of Dvin Abu'l-Aswar, urging him to attack Gagik's lands. Nikolaos wrote himself too, promising gifts to Abu'l-Aswar. Attacked by Nikolaos and with his territory ravaged by Abu'l-Aswar, Gagik came to an agreement with Nikolaos to hand Ani to the emperor 
Dates:
1045 
son of Vahram Pahlavuni (Anonymus 396)
  • Perished during the battle beneath the walls of Dvin which had been attacked by Asit (Michael 111 Iasites), causing much distress to the Armenians յորում տեղւոջ մեռաւ մեծ իշխանն Հայոց Վահրամ հանդերձ որդւովն Aristakes 63.19-20 (56)
Abu'l-Aswar, ruler of Dvin (Aplesphares 101)
  • Was sent letters with Nikolaos 101 from the emperor (Konstantinos 9), urging him to attack the lands of Gagik 101, and was also encouraged by Nikolaos himself with gifts and promises to carry out the emperor's wishes (:) Skylitzes 436.10-16
Gagik II, king of Armenia (Gagik 101)
  • Attacked by a Roman army (first under Michael 111 and then Nikolaos 101) and his lands ravaged by the ruler of Dvin (Aplesphares 101) he despaired, came to an agreement with the parakoimomenos (Nikolaos 101), and handed the city (Ani) to the emperor (:) σπένδεται πρὸς τὸν παρακοιμώμενον Skylitzes 436.23-437.27
Emperor Konstantinos IX Monomachos (Konstantinos 9)
  • Declared war on the ruler of Ani (Gagik 101), although the latter had not provoked him (in the 13th indiction:ἰνδικτιῶνος τρισκαιδεκάτης) καὶ μηδὲν ἀπαίσιον διαπραττομένῳ Skylitzes 435.72-75
Michael Iasites, katepano of Iberia (Michael 111)
  • Sent by Konstantinos 9 at the head of an army against Gagik 101, he hurried as much as possible to execute his orders, but faced difficulties when Gagik organised his defences (:) κακῶς δὲ φερομένων τῶν πραγμάτων τῷ Ἰασσίτῃ Skylitzes 435.1-436.7
Nikolaos, domestikos of the scholai and parakoimomenos (Nikolaos 101)
  • Was sent with his superior forces to subdue Gagik 101, carried letters for the ruler of Dvin Aplesphares 101 from the emperor (Konstantinos 9) urging him to attack Gagik's lands, and wrote himself too, promising gifts to Aplesphares (:) Skylitzes 436.6-16
  • Concluded an agreement with Gagik 101 who was forced to surrender Ani to the emperor (Konstantinos 9) in despair after being attacked by both the Roman army and the ruler of Dvin (Aplesphares 101) (:) σπένδεται πρὸς τὸν παρακοιμώμενον Skylitzes 436.23-437.27
Vahram Pahlavuni, supporter of Gagik II of Armenia (Vahram 101)
  • Perished during the battle beneath the walls of Dvin which had been attacked by Asit (Michael 111 Iasites), causing much distress to the Armenians յորում տեղւոջ մեռաւ մեծ իշխանն Հայոց Վահրամ...որ մեծ սուգ հասոյց Հայոց։ Aristakes 63.19-20 (56)