Sper was an old district of historical Armenia c. 400–800. Sper is the largest district of Bardzr Hayk province (ashkharh) of Armenia. Located Northwest of Karin (modern Erzurum), high in the mountains, Sper corresponds to the modern-day Turkish province of Bayburt (Arm. Baberd) and Northern mountainous areas of [Erzurum Province]]. The Çoruh river originates there, on the southern side of the Pontic Mountains. The area's topography and climate are considered very rough. Sper used to be the main fiefdom of the House of Bagratids long before the Bagratids became Kings of Armenia.