Aranshahik was the first ruling dynasty of Caucasian Albania from an unknown date until the late sixth century AD. According to Movses Khorenatsi, the dyansty of Aranshahik was established by the Armenian king Vagharshak.[1]
Almost no information exists about Prince Arran and his early successors. According to tradition, in the beginning of the 7th century the Mihranids had invited 60 men of the Aranshahiks to a banquet and had killed them all, with the exception of Zarmihr Aranshahik, who had married a Mihranid princess. Hence the Mihranid family had becomen princes of Gardman and presiding princes of all Caucasian Albania. Sahl Smbatean was a descendant of Zarmihr Aranshahik. According to Arakel Babakhanian Esayi Abu-Muse was a member of the local house of Aranshahik too.[2]
