Vahan (Byzantine commander)

Vahan (Armenian: Վահան) was a Byzantine military leader of Armenian origin. He was probably killed shortly after the Battle of Yarmuk in 636.

Vahan, an Armenian who had been the garrison commander of Emesa^[1] and served as magister militum per Orientem during the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628, was the overall field commander at the Yarmuk. While Vahan and part of his forces avoided destruction in the battle itself, they were pursued and killed by the Arab mobile guard during their subsequent retreat to Damascus, although other accounts state that a disgraced Vahan may have retired to a monastery in Sinai.^[2]

Arab sources emphasise the "noble and righteous conduct" of Vahan compared to other Roman commanders.^[3] Claims that Vahan or his soldiers had rebelled against Emperor Heraclius prior to Yarmouk are likely to be smears intended to pin the blame for the defeat on the Armenian.^[4]

Muslim sources record a conversation between Vahan and the Arab General Khalid ibn al-Walid before the battle of Yarmouk:^{[5] [6]}

Vahan: We know that it is hardship and hunger that have brought you out of your lands. We will give every one of your men 100 dinars, clothing and food if you return to your lands, For Abu Ubaydah, your general, 1,000 dinar and for your Khalifah, 'Umar, 10,000 and next year we will send you a similar amount if you vow never to return.

Khalid: "It was not Hunger that brought us here. what brought us out of our lands is that we Arabs are a people who drink blood, and we are told the blood of the Romans is the sweetest of its kind, so we came to shed your blood and drink it.”

Vahan: “So, we thought you came seeking what your brethren always sought (plunder, extortion, or mercenary work) but alas we were wrong. You came killing men, enslaving women, plundering wealth, destroying buildings, and seeking to drive us from our own lands.” Better people had tried to do the same but always ended up defeated (reference to the recent Persian wars). As for you, there is no lower and more despicable people—wretched, impoverished Bedouins who know nothing but poetry. Despite that, you commit injustices in your own rainless, famine-stricken nation and now ours..What havoc you have created! You ride horses not your own and wear clothes not your own. You pleasure yourselves with the young white girls of Rome and enslave them. You eat food not your own, and wrongfully fill your hands with our gold, silver, and valuable goods. Now we find you with all our possessions and the plunder you took from our co-religionists and we leave it all to you, neither asking for its return nor rebuking you. All we ask is that you leave our lands. But if you refuse, we will annihilate you!"

Khalid ibn al-Walid then began reciting the Koran and spoke of Muhammad. Vahan listened in quiet exasperation. The Arab General then began hinting at the possibility of “brotherly peace,” and Vahan eagerly inquired how this could be achieved. Khalid asked him to recite: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his slave and messenger, whom Jesus son of Mary prophesied.” Vahan replied: “You have called me to abandon my religion and enter yours; this is impossible for me.” “Then,” concluded Khalid, “because you cling to your misguided religion, so too is it impossible for us to ever be brothers.” Vahan continued to attempt to reason with Khalid and inquired if simply reciting the shahada would be enough or if actions were required Khalid replied, “You must also pray, pay zakat, perform hajj [pilgrimage] at the sacred house [in Mecca], wage jihad against those who refuse Allah, befriend those who befriend Allah (Muslims) and oppose those who oppose Allah (non-Muslims). If you refuse, there can only be war between us And you will face men who love death as you love life.” “Do what you like,” resigned Vahan. “We will never forsake our religion nor pay you jizya.” negotiations promptly ended there.^[7]