Vaspur was a fierce hound belonging to the Videssian priest of Phos, Zemarkhos. He had named the dog after the first man created by Phos in Vaspurakan legend as an insult to their heresy. Zemarkhos brought Vaspur with him when he confronted Gagik Bagratouni at the latter's home over a misguided attempt to convert the Ronams to Phos-worship. He threatened Onomagoulos and his guards with Vaspur but they were ready for him. One guard threw a sack over Zemarkhos and knocked him to the ground. A second seized Vaspur and while dog tried to bite him, he could not chew through the man's gauntleted arm. He forced Vaspur into the sack with his master. Upset, the dog began biting Zemarkhos and would have killed him if Marcus Scaurus had not intervened and convinced Onomagoulos to spare him.