To that end, he began supporting the rebel Vest Sarkis, an Armenian pro-Byzantine prince and adviser of king Smbat III, who took over the city of Ani with the intention of handing it over.
The princes and nobles that remained loyal to the Bagratuni dynasty, rallied around Vahram Pahlavuni and resisted three assaults of the Byzantine Army over the Kingdom of Ani, compelling the imperial forces to retreat.
[citation needed] During a fierce battle that was fought in 1042 under the walls of the capital city of Ani, general Vahram Pahlavuni soundly defeated the Byzantine army.
[3][4] This victory allowed Vahram Pahlavuni along with Catholicos Petros Guedadarts to crown Gagik II as king of Armenia[5] and subsequently take the fortress of Ani, which was in the hands of Vest Sarkis.
[citation needed] After these victories, Vahram and the new Armenian king defeated an army of the Seljuk Turks and the security of the kingdom was temporarily restored.