What is "sparapet"

n. (context historical English) the hereditary title of the military commander-in-chief in ancient Armenia

Sparapet was a hereditary title of supreme commander of the armed forces in ancient and medieval Armenia. It originated in the 2nd century BC, under the reign of King Artaxias I, and was used in the Kingdom of Armenia and the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (in Cilicia, the bearer of the title was known as a Gundstabl (գունդստաբլ, from the Byzantine and Western title of constable). Sparapet was the equivalent of the Parthian '' Spahbed ''(cf. Georgian spaspet "high constable, commander in chief").

The title of Sparapet was traditionally held by the representatives of the House of Mamikonian since the beginning of the rule of the Arsacid kings of Armenia. Later in history, the title was held by the Bagratuni and Artsruni dynasties.