Armenian noble Philip Siwni, marzbān 574–576, Armenian noble Mushegh II Mamikonian, marzbān 591?, Armenian noble Varaztirots II Bagratuni, marzbān 628 – after 631, Armenian noble Presiding princes of Armenia (628–884) The position of presiding prince of Armenia (formally "prince of the Armenians") was created by the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century in order to legitimize a local vassal leader with Byzantine backing and counteract Sasanian efforts in the region. During later centuries, the presiding princes wavered in allegiance between Byzantium and the Caliphates, who competed over influence. Most often they were largely autonomous tributary vassals. The earliest known presiding prince was Mjej II Gnuni, appointed by the Byzantines in the early 7th century. Mjej II Gnuni, 628–635 (for the Byzantine Empire) David Saharuni, 635–638 (for the Byzantine Empire) Theodore Rshtuni (first time), 638–c. 645 (for the Byzantine Empire) Varaztirots II Bagratuni, c. 645 (for the Byzantine Empire) Theodore Rshtuni (second time), 645–653 (for the Byzantine Empire), 653–655 (for the Rashidun Caliphate) Mushegh IV Mamikonian, 654 (for the Byzantine Empire) Hamazasp Mamikonian, 655–657 (for the Rashidun Caliphate), 657–658 (for the Byzantine Empire) Grigor I Mamikonian, 662–684/685 (for the Umayyad Caliphate) Ashot II Bagratuni, 686–689/690 (for the Umayyad Caliphate) Nerseh Kamsarakan, 689/690–691 (for the Byzantine Empire) Smbat VI Bagratuni, 691–697; 700–711 (for the Byzantine Empire), 697–700 (for the Umayyad Caliphate) Ashot III Bagratuni "the Blind", 732–748 (for the Umayyad Caliphate) Grigor II Mamikonian, 748–750 (for the Umayyad Caliphate) Mushegh VI Mamikonian, c. 750; head of insurgent members of the nobility Sahak III Bagratuni, c. 755–761 (for the Abbasid Caliphate) Smbat VII Bagratuni, 761–772 (for the Abbasid Caliphate) Tatzates Andzevatsi, 780–782/785 (for the Abbasid Caliphate) Ashot IV Bagratuni "the Carnivorous", 806–826 (for the Abbasid Caliphate) Smbat VIII Bagratuni "the Confessor", 826–855 (for the Abbasid Caliphate) Bagrat II Bagratuni, "Prince of Princes" 830–852 (for the Abbasid Caliphate) Ashot V Bagratuni "the Great", 856–884 (for the Appasid Caliphate); "Prince of Princes" in 856 and king in 884 Restored kingdom (884–1045) Bagratuni dynasty (884–1045) After more than four centuries of dormancy, the Armenian kingdom was restored under the Bagratuni dynasty, which had already produced several vassal princes during the previous centuries. The Bagratuni princes were during their efforts to gain power of the other Armenian noble families supported by the Abbasid caliphs, who feared Byzantine influence in the region. In 884, the Bagratuni prince Ashot V was crowned king (as Ashot I) by his peers.