 During the 4th century, the historic settlement of Shaghat near Sisakan, became the residence of the Siunia princes; the ruling dynasty of historic Syunik.It remained the spiritual and the political center of the region until the end of the 10th century, when the fortified town of Kapan in the southern "Baghk" canton became the capital of the newly established Kingdom of Syunik in 987 under the protectorate of the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia.In 1103, the region was invaded and looted by the Seljuks.