Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia 1118477 223254754 2008-07-03T07:36:31Z Edward 4261 link [[trade embargo]] using [[User:Edward/Find link|Find link]] {{Infobox Former Country |native_name = Կիլիկիոյ Հայկական Թագաւորութիւն |conventional_long_name = Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia |common_name = Cilicia |continent = Asia |region = Asia Minor |era = Middle Ages |country = Armenia |government_type = Monarchy ||event_start = |year_start = 1080 |date_start = |event_end = |year_end = 1375 |date_end = |event1 = [[Leo II of Armenia|Leon II]] becomes the first King of Armenian Cilicia. |date_event1 = 1198 |event2 = |date_event2 = |p1 = Bagratid Armenia |flag_p1 = Bagrotuniflagx.jpg |s1 = Mamluk |flag_s1 = Mameluke_Flag.svg‎ |image_flag = Rubenid Flag.svg |image_coat = Armoiries Héthoumides.svg |image_map = Cilician Armenia-en.svg |image_map_caption = |capital = [[Kozan, Adana|Sis]] |national_motto = |common_languages = [[Armenian language|Armenian]], [[Latin]], [[French language|French]] |religion = [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] ||leader1 = Ruben I of Armenia |year_leader1 = 1080 |leader2 = |year_leader2 = |title_leader = |footnotes = }} The '''Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia''' (also known as '''Little Armenia''', '''Kingdom of Lesser Armenia''', '''Cilician Kingdom'''<ref>''Dictionary of the Middle Ages''</ref>; [[Classical Armenian]]: Կիլիկիոյ Հայկական Թագաւորութիւն, not to be confused with the [[Kingdom of Armenia|Armenian Kingdom]] of [[classical antiquity|Antiquity]]) was a state formed in the [[Middle Ages]] by Armenian refugees fleeing the [[Seljuk Turks|Seljuk]] invasion of [[Armenia]].<ref name="SAE">{{hy icon}} Poghosyan, S.; Katvalyan, M.; Grigoryan, G. et al. ''Cilician Armenia'' (Կիլիկյան Հայաստան). [[Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia]]. vol. v. Yerevan, Armenian SSR: Armenian Academy of Sciences, 1979, pp. 406-428</ref> It was located on the [[Gulf of İskenderun|Gulf of Alexandretta]] of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] in what is today southern [[Turkey]]. The kingdom remained independent from around 1078 to 1375. The Kingdom of Cilicia was founded by the [[Rubenian dynasty]], an offshoot of the larger [[Origin of the Bagratid dynasties|Bagratid family]] that at various times held the thrones of Armenia and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. Their capital was [[Kozan, Adana|Sis]]. Cilicia was a strong ally of the European [[Crusades|Crusaders]], and saw itself as a bastion of Christendom in the East. It also served as a focus for Armenian nationalism and culture, since Armenia was under foreign occupation at the time. King [[Levon I of Armenia]] helped cultivate Cilicia's economy and [[commerce]] as its interaction with European traders grew.<ref>{{cite book |last = Bournoutian |first = George A |authorlink =George Bournoutian |title = A Concise History of the Armenian People |year = 2006 |location = Costa Mesa, CA |pages = p. 99 |publisher = Mazda |isbn = 1-5685-9141-1}}</ref> Major cities and castles of the kingdom included the port of [[Korikos]], [[Lampron]], [[Partzerpert]], [[Feke|Vahka]] (modern Feke), [[Qal'at ar-Rum|Hromkla]], [[Tarsus (city)|Tarsus]], [[Anazarbus|Anazarbe]], [[Til Hamdoun]], [[Mopsuestia|Mamistra]] (modern Misis: the classical Mopsuestia), [[Adana]] and the port of [[Ayas (city)|Ayas]] (Aias) which served as a Western terminal to the East. The [[Pisans]], [[Genoese]] and [[Republic of Venice|Venetians]] established colonies in Ayas through treaties with Cilician Armenia in the thirteenth century.<ref name="Abulafia">{{cite book | last =Abulafia | first =David | authorlink =David Abulafia | title =The New Cambridge Medieval History | publisher =[[Cambridge University Press]] | date =1999 | pages =p. 440 | isbn = 052136289X}}</ref> [[Marco Polo]], for example, set out on his journey to [[China]] from Ayas in 1271.<ref name="Abulafia"/> ==Early Armenian links with Cilicia== [[Image: Tigranes.jpg|thumb|Coin of [[Tigranes II]]. The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΙΓΡΑΝΟΥ ("[coin] of King Tigranes").]] For a short time in the 1st century BCE the powerful kingdom of Armenia was able to conquer a vast region in the [[Levant]], including the area of Cilicia. In 83 BCE, after a bloody strife for the throne of Syria, governed by the [[Seleucids]], the Hellenic Syrians decided to choose the Armenian ruler [[Tigranes the Great]] as the protector of their kingdom and offered him the crown of [[Syria]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hyeetch.nareg.com.au/armenians/prominent_p5.html |title=King Tigran II - The Great |accessdate=2007-01-17 |work=Hye Etch }}</ref> Tigranes then conquered [[Phoenicia]] and [[Cilicia]], effectively putting an end to the [[Seleucid Empire]], though a few holdout cities appear to have recognized the shadowy boy-king [[Seleucus VII Kybiosaktes|Seleucus VII Philometor]] as the legitimate king during his reign. The southern border of his domain reached as far as [[Ptolemais]] (modern [[Akko]]). Many of the inhabitants of conquered cities were sent to his new [[Metropolitan area|metropolis]] of [[Tigranakert|Tigranakert (Latin name, Tigranocerta)]]. At its height his empire extended from the [[Pontic Alps]] (in modern north-eastern Turkey) to [[Mesopotamia]], and from the [[Caspian]] to the Mediterranean. Tigranes apparently invaded as far as [[Ecbatana]] and took the title [[king of kings]] which, at the time, according to their coins, even the Parthian kings did not assume. From the time of his conquests, some Armenian settlements are thought to have remained in the region of Cilicia. ==Mass Armenian migration to Cilicia under the Byzantines== Cilicia was reconquered from the [[Arabs]] by the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] Emperor [[Nicephorus II|Nicephorus II Phocas]] around 965. He expelled the [[Muslims]] living there, and Christians from Syria and Armenia were encouraged to settle in the region. Emperor [[Basil II]] (976-1025) attempted to expand into Armenian [[Vaspurakan]] in the East and Arab-held Syria towards the south. As a result of the Byzantine military campaigns, the Armenians spread into [[Cappadocia]] and eastward from Cilicia into the mountainous areas of northern Syria and Mesopotamia.<ref name="The Armenian Kingdom and the Mamluks">{{cite book | last = Donal Stewart | first = Angus | title = The Armenian Kingdom and the Mamluks: War and Diplomacy During the Reigns of Het'um II | publisher = Brill Academic Publishers |date= 2001 | location = Netherlands | pages = 33-34}}</ref> The Armenian immigration increased with the formal annexation of Greater Armenia to the Byzantine Empire in 1045 and the Seljuk conquest 19 years thereafter, giving two new waves of migration.<ref name="The Armenian Kingdom and the Mamluks">{{cite book | last = Donal Stewart | first = Angus | title = The Armenian Kingdom and the Mamluks: War and Diplomacy During the Reigns of Het'um II | publisher = Brill Academic Publishers |date= 2001 | location = Netherlands | pages = p. 33}}</ref> After the fall of Bagratid Armenia, and during the following centuries, the Armenian state was unable to re-establish itself and its sovereignty. It remained under the rule of Turkic tribes. ==Foundation of Armenian power in Cilicia== [[Image:Armoiries Héthoumides.svg|left|thumb|150px|The coat of arms of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, given to [[Leo II of Armenia]] of the [[Rubenid|Rubenid Dynasty]] by [[Pope Celestine III]] of Rome.]] {{History of Armenia}} The Armenians came to serve the Byzantines as military officers and governors; they were given control of important cities on the Byzantine Empire's eastern frontier. When Imperial power in the region weakened in the chaotic years after the [[Battle of Manzikert]], some of them seized the opportunity to set themselves up as sovereign Lords, while others remained, at least in name, loyal to the Empire. The most successful of these early Armenian warlords was [[Philaretos Brachamios]], a former general of [[Romanus IV Diogenes]]. Between 1078 and 1085 Philaretus built a principality stretching from [[Malatia]] in the north to [[Antioch]] in the south, and from [[Cilicia]] in the west to [[Edessa, Mesopotamia|Edessa]] in the east. He invited many Armenian nobles to settle in his territory, and gave them land and castles.<ref name="The Armenian Kingdom and the Mamluks">{{cite book | last = Donal Stewart | first = Angus | title = The Armenian Kingdom and the Mamluks: War and Diplomacy During the Reigns of Het'um II | publisher = Brill Academic Publishers |date= 2001 | location = Netherlands | pages = p. 33-34}}</ref> The state that Philaretus had created had begun to crumbled even before his death in 1090.<ref name="Runciman">{{cite book | last =Runciman | first =Steven | authorlink =Steven Runciman | title =A History of the Crusades Vol. I: The First Crusade and the Foundations of the Kingdom of Jerusalem | publisher =Cambridge University Press | date =1987 | pages =p. 195 | id =ISBN 0-5213-5997-X}}</ref> and after his death the remains of his dominion disintegrated into local lordships. One of those princes was Ruben, who had close ties with the last [[Bagratuni Dynasty]] Armenian king, [[Gagik II]]. He thought that he would never be able to reinstate the Bagratid kingdom, so he rebelled against the Byzantine Empire in Cilicia. He rallied with him many other Armenian landlords and nobles. Thus, in 1080, the foundations of the independent Armenian princedom of Cilicia, and of the future kingdom, were laid under Ruben's leadership and that of his descendants (who would be called [[Rubenid]]s) .<ref name="Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II">{{hy icon}} {{cite book | last = Kurdoghlian | first = Mihran | title = Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II | publisher = Hradaragoutioun Azkayin Oussoumnagan Khorhourti |date= 1996 | location = Athens, Greece | pages =pp. 29-56}}</ref> By the end of the 11th century, upon Ruben's death in 1095, there were several important Armenian principalities in the area:<ref>Runciman. ''A History of the Crusades'', pp. 195-201</ref> * Lampron (after Namrun, now Camliyayla) and Babaron (Candir Kale), located at the southern end of the [[Cilician Gates]], were controlled by the former Byzantine general [[Oshin of Lampron|Oshin]], the founder of the important [[Hethumid]] dynasty. * To the north east was the principality of [[Constantine I of Armenia]], the son of Prince [[Ruben I of Armenia|Rouben I]]. His power was based around the fortresses of Partzapert and Vahka. * Further to the north east, and outside of Cilicia, was the principality of Marash (modern Kahramanmaraş). It was ruled by [[Thoros of Marash|Thatoul]], a former Byzantine official. * East of Maraş, the Armenian [[Gogh Vasil]] (Basil the Robber) held the fortresses of Raban (modern Altınaşkale) and [[Kaysun|Kesoun]] as a [[Seljuk Turks|Seljuk]] vassal. * To the north of these, on the Upper Euphrates, lay the principality of [[Malatya]] (Melitene), held by [[Gabriel of Melitene|Gabriel]], one of Philaretus' former officers, under Seljuk overlordship. * Finally, beyond Malatya, was [[Edessa, Mesopotamia|Edessa]], controlled by [[Thoros of Edessa|Thoros]], another of Philaretus' officers, and son-in-law of Gabriel of Malatya. With the exception of Gogh Vasil and Constantine, these Armenian lords were alienated from most of their Armenian compatriots, and disliked by [[Syriac Christianity|Syrian Christians]], because they were either [[Greek Orthodox]] or held official titles conferred upon them by the Byzantine Emperor.<ref>Runciman. ''A History of the Crusades'', p. 196</ref> ==The First Crusade and the Rubenid principality== [[Image:BaudouinDeBoulogneAndThe_Armenians.jpg|thumb|190px|[[Baldwin I of Jerusalem|Baldwin of Boulogne]] receiving the hommage of the Armenians in Edessa.]] During the reign of [[Constantine I of Armenia|Constantine I]], the [[Crusaders]], in retaliation for the Seljuk invasion of Jerusalem, descended upon Anatolia and the Middle East. With the [[First Crusade]], the Armenians in Cilicia gained powerful allies among the Frankish crusaders. With their help, they secured Cilicia from the Turks, both by direct military actions in Cilicia and by establishing [[Crusader states]] in [[Principality of Antioch|Antioch]] and [[County of Edessa|Edessa]].<ref name="Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II">{{hy icon}} {{cite book | last = Kurdoghlian | first = Mihran | title = Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II | publisher = Hradaragoutioun Azkayin Oussoumnagan Khorhourti |date= 1996 | location = Athens, Greece | pages = p. 29-30}}</ref> The Armenians also helped the Crusaders, as described by [[Pope Gregory XIII]]: {{quotation|Among the good deeds which the Armenian people has done towards the church and the Christian world, it should especially be stressed that, in those times when the Christian princes and the warriors went to retake the Holy Land, no people or nation, with the same enthusiasm, joy and faith came to their aid as the Armenians did, who supplied the crusaders with horses, provision and guidance. The Armenians assisted these warriors with their utter courage and loyalty during the Holy wars.|Ecclesia Romana, 1584}} The Armenians and crusaders were partly allied, partly rivals for two centuries to come. Eventually, there emerged some sort of centralized government in the area with the rise of the [[Roupenid]] princes. During the 12th century they were the closest thing to a ruling dynasty, and wrestled with the Byzantines for the power over the region. [[Prince Levon I of Armenia|Prince Leo I]] integrated the Cilician coastal cities to the Armenian principality, thus consolidating Armenian commercial leadership in the region. He was eventually defeated by Emperor [[John II Comnenus|John II]] in 1137, who still considered Cilicia to be a Byzantine province, and was imprisoned with several other family members.<ref name="Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II">{{hy icon}} {{cite book | last = Kurdoghlian | first = Mihran | title = Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II | publisher = Hradaragoutioun Azkayin Oussoumnagan Khorhourti |date= 1996 | location = Athens, Greece | pages = p. 29-56}}</ref> He died in prison three years later. Leon's son and successor, [[Thoros II of Armenia|Thoros II]], was also imprisoned, but escaped in 1141. He returned to lead the struggle with the Byzantines. Initially he was successful, but eventually, in 1158, he paid homage to Emperor [[Manuel I Comnenus|Manuel I]]. Cilicia had become so significant in these years, that in 1151, the head of the Armenian Church transferred his see to [[Rumkale|Hromkla]].<ref name="The Armenian Kingdom and the Mamluks">{{cite book | last = Donal Stewart | first = Angus | title = The Armenian Kingdom and the Mamluks: War and Diplomacy During the Reigns of Het'um II | publisher = Brill Academic Publishers |date= 2001 | location = Netherlands | pages = p. 33-34}}</ref> The Rubenid princes continued to rule Cilicia. ==The Kingdom of Armenia== [[Image:Fortressarmenians5.jpg|thumb|300px|Fortress of Korikos in Cilician Armenia built ca. the 13th century.]] King [[Leon I of Armenia|Leo I]] of the [[Rubenid dynasty]] started his reign as a Prince Leo II in 1187. He became one of the most important figures of the Cilician Armenian state. During his reign, he had to face [[Konya]]'s, [[Aleppo]]'s, and [[Damascus]]' rulers. By doing so, he integrated new lands to Cilicia and doubled the state's ownership of the Mediterranean coast. He also put great effort into augmenting the state's military might.<ref name="Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II">{{hy icon}} {{cite book | last = Kurdoghlian | first = Mihran | title = Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II | publisher = Hradaragoutioun Azkayin Oussoumnagan Khorhourti |date= 1996 | location = Athens, Greece | pages = p. 29-56}}</ref> At that time, [[Saladin]] of Egypt greatly weakened the Crusader states, forcing the Europeans to launch another Crusade. Prince Leo II profited from the situation by improving relations with the Europeans. Thanks to the support given to him by the [[Holy Roman Emperors]] ([[Frederick Barbarossa]], and his son, [[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VI]]), he was able to elevate the princedom's status to a kingdom. In 1198 Prince Leo II managed to secure his crown, becoming the first King of Armenian Cilicia as king [[Leon I of Armenia|Leo I]].<ref name="Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II">{{hy icon}} {{cite book | last = Kurdoghlian | first = Mihran | title = Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II | publisher = Hradaragoutioun Azkayin Oussoumnagan Khorhourti |date= 1996 | location = Athens, Greece | pages = 29-56}}</ref> [[Image:Kilikia Cavalry.jpg|thumb|left|A Cilician Armenian [[cavalry|cavalryman]]]] The crown later passed to the rival [[Het'umid dynasty]] through Leon's daughter [[Queen Isabella of Armenia|Zabel]]. When she was Queen, her first husband was poisoned in 1225 by [[Constantine of Baberon]], who then in 1226 forced Zabel to marry Constantine's son, who became co-ruler [[Hetoum I of Armenia|Hetoum I]]. During the rule of Zabel and Hetoum, the [[Mongol Empire]] was rapidly expanding from Asia, and had reached the Middle East. The Mongols rapidly conquered Mesopotamia, Baghdad, and Syria, in their advance towards Egypt. The Mongol conquest was disastrous for Greater Armenia, but this wasn't the case for those in Cilicia, as Hetoum chose to preemptively subject Cilicia to Mongol authority, sending his brother [[Sempad the Constable|Sempad]] to the Mongol court in 1247 to negotiate an alliance.<ref>[[Claude Mutafian]] in ''Le Royaume Arménien de Cilicie'' describes "the Mongol alliance" entered into by the king of Armenia and the Franks of Antioch ("the King of Armenia decided to engage into the Mongol alliance, an intelligence that the Latin barons lacked, except for Antioch"), and "the Franco-Mongol collaboration" (Mutafian, p. 55).</ref><ref>Claude Lebedel in ''Les Croisades'' describes the alliance of the Franks of Antioch and Tripoli with the Mongols: (in 1260) "the Frank barons refused an alliance with the Mongols, except for the Armenians and the Prince of Antioch and Tripoli".</ref><ref>Amin Maalouf in ''The Crusades through Arab eyes'' is extensive and specific on the alliance (page numbers refer to the French edition): “The Armenians, in the person of their king Hetoum, sided with the Mongols, as well as Prince Bohemond, his son-in-law. The Franks of Acre however adopted a position of neutrality favourable to the muslims” (p. 261), “Bohemond of Antioch and Hethoum of Armenia, principal allies of the Mongols” (p.265), “Hulagu (…) still had enough strength to prevent the punishment of his allies [Bohemond and Hethoum]” (p. 267).</ref> ===Campaigns with the Mongols=== Hetoum and his forces fought under the Mongol banner of [[Hulagu]], in the conquest of Muslim Syria and the capture of [[Aleppo]] and [[Damascus]] in 1259-1260.<ref>"The king of Armenia and the Prince of Antioch went to the military camp of the Tatars, and they all went off to take Damascus". Le Templier de Tyr. Quoted in "Histoire des Croisades III", Rene Grousset, p586</ref> [[Image:Coin06of.jpg|thumb|290px|Coin of the Cilician Armenian kingdom, ca. 1080-1375.]] In 1266, the Mamluk leader [[Baibars]] summoned Hetoum I to abandon his allegiance to the Mongols, and instead accept Mamluk suzerainty, and remit to the Mamluks the territories and fortresses Hetoum had acquired through his submission to the Mongols. Following these threats, Hetoum I went to the Mongol court of the [[Il-Khan]] in [[Persia]] to obtain military support. During his absence however, the Mamluks marched on Cilician Armenia, led by [[Mansur II]] and the Mamluk commander [[Qalawun]], and defeated the Armenians at the [[Battle of Mari|Disaster of Mari]], killing Hetoum's son Thoros , and capturing Hetoum's son [[Levon II of Armenia (King)|Leo]] along with tens of thousands of other Armenia soldiers. Hetoum ransomed his son for a high price, paying the Mamluks a large sum and signing over to them many fortresses. Soon after, the huge [[1268 Cilicia earthquake]] further devastated the country. In 1269, Hetoum I abdicated in favour of his son Leo II, who was forced to pay large annual tributes to the Mamluks. Even with the tributes though, the Mamluks continued to attack Cilicia every few years. ===Truce with the Mamluks (1281-1295)=== In 1281, following the defeat of the Mongols and the Armenians under [[Möngke Temur]], against the Mamluks at the [[Second Battle of Homs]], a truce was forced on Armenia by the Mamluks. Further, in 1285, following a powerful offensive by [[Qalawun]], the Armenians had to sign a 10 year truce, which left many Armenian fortresses to the Mamluks, prohibited the Armenians from rebuilding their defensive fortifications, had them pay tribute of one million [[dirhams]],<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Cilician Kingdom|title= Dictionary of the Middle Ages|volumes=13 vols.|author=American Council of Learned Societies|publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons|date=1989|location=Reproduced in [[History Resource Center]]. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale| url=http://0-galenet.galegroup.com.iii.slcl.org:80/servlet/History/}}</ref> and forced them to trade with the Mamluks, thereby circumventing the [[trade embargo]] imposed by the Pope.<ref>{{fr icon}} Luisetto, Frédéric. ''Arméniens et autres Chrétiens d'Orient sous la domination Mongole''. Geuthner pp. 128-129</ref> The Mamluks kept raiding Cilician Armenia on numerous occasions however. In [[1292]] Cilician Armenia was invaded by [[Khalil]], the [[Mamluk]] sultan of [[Egypt]], who had conquered the remnant of the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]] in [[Acre, Israel|Acre]] the year before, and [[Qal'at ar-Rum|Hromkla]] was sacked, forcing the [[Holy See]] to move to [[Sis]]. Hetoum was forced to abandon [[Behesni]], [[Marash]] and [[Tel Hamdoun]] to the Turks. In [[1293]], he abdicated in favour of his brother [[Thoros III of Armenia|Thoros III]] and entered the monastery of Mamistra. ===Campaigns with the Mongols (1299-1303)=== {{see also|Armeno-Mongol alliance}} In the summer of 1299, Hetoum I's grandson, [[King Hetoum II of Armenia]], again facing threats of attack by the Mamluks, sent a message to the Mongol khan of Persia, [[Mahmud Ghazan|Ghâzân]] to obtain his support. In response, Ghazan marched with his forces towards Syria and sent letters to the Franks of Cyprus (the King of Cyprus, and the heads of the [[Knights Templar]], the [[Hospitallers]] and the [[Teutonic Knights]]), inviting them to come join him in his attack on the Mamluks in Syria. The Mongols successfully took the city of [[Aleppo]], where they were joined by King Hetoum, whose forces included some Templars and Hospitallers from the kingdom of Armenia, who participated in the rest of the offensive.<ref>Demurger, Alain (2005). ''The Last Templar: The Tragedy of Jacques de Molay, Last Grand Master of the Temple''. London: Profile Books, p. 93. ISBN 1-8619-7529-5. "He was soon joined by King Hethum, whose forces seem to have included Hospitallers and Templars from the kingdom of Armenia, who participate to the rest of the campaign."</ref> The combined force then defeated the Mamluks in the [[Battle of Wadi al-Khazandar]], <!-- Note: Demurger says that this was the Second Battle of Homs --> on December 23 or 24, 1299.<ref>Ibid., p. 93</ref> The bulk of the Mongol army then had to retreat, probably because their horses needing grazing room. In their absence, the Egyptian Mamluks regrouped, and then retook the area in May 1300. [[Image:GhazanAndKingOfArmenia1303.JPG|thumb|Ghazan ordering the King Of Armenia [[Hetoum II]] to accompany Kutlushka on the 1303 attack on Damascus.<ref>Mutafian. ''Le Royaume Armenien de Cilicie'', pp. 74-75</ref>]] In 1303, the Mongols tried again to capture Syria, this time in greater strength (about 80,000) together with the Armenians, but they were defeated at Homs on March 30, 1303, and at the decisive [[Battle of Shaqhab]], south of Damas, on April 21, 1303.<ref>Demurger. ''Tragedy of Jacques de Molay'', 109</ref> It is considered to be the last major Mongol invasion of Syria.<ref>[[David Nicolle|Nicolle, David]] (2001). ''The Crusades''. Oxford: Osprey, p. 80 ISBN 1-8417-6179-6</ref> When the Mongol leader Ghazan died on May 10, 1304, dreams of a rapid reconquest of the Holy Land were destroyed. Hetoum II abdicated in favour of his nephew [[Levon III]] and became a [[Franciscan]] monk. In 1307 Hetoum II, his nephew Levon III, and his entire entourage were murdered by [[Bilarghu|Bularghu]], the Mongol's representative in Armenian Cilicia and a recent convert to Islam, while visiting Bularghu's encampment just outside [[Anazarbus|Anavarza]]. <ref>Angus, Stewart, "The assassination of King Het'um II". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 2005 pp. 45-61.</ref> ==Religious rapprochement with Rome== {{main|Roman Catholicism in Asia}} In 1198, a Union was proclaimed between [[Rome]] and the [[Armenian Church]] by the Armenian [[catholicos]] of [[Sis]] [[Gregory VI of Cilicia|Grigor VI Apirat]]. This was not followed in deeds however, as the local clergy and populace was strongly opposed to such a union. Numerous Roman Catholic missions were also sent to Cilician Armenia to help with rapprochement, with limited results. The [[Franciscans]] were put in charge of this missions. [[John of Monte Corvino]] himself arrived in Cilician Armenia in 1288.<ref>Luisetto. ''Arméniens et autres Chrétiens d'Orient'', p. 98</ref> The Armenian king [[Hethoum II]] would himself become a Franciscan monk upon his abdication. The Armenian historian [[Nerses Balients]] was a Franciscan and a member of the "Unitarian" mouvement advocating unification with the Latin Church. Again in 1441, long after the fall of the Kingdom, the Armenian Catholicos of Sis [[Grigor IX Musabekiants]] proclaimed the union of the Armenian and Latin churches at the [[Council of Florence]], but this was countered by an Armenian schism under [[Kirakos I Virapetsi]], who installed the Catholicos see at [[Edjmiatzin]], and maginalized Sis.<ref>{{fr icon}} Mahé, Jean-Pierre (2005). ''L'Arménie à l'épreuve des Siècles''. Découvertes Gallimard, pp. 71-72</ref> ==Culture and society== [[Image:Toros Roslin Manrankar.jpg|thumb|180px|An [[Armenian illuminated manuscript|illuminated manuscript]] of [[John the Apostle]] by [[Toros Roslin]] completed in 1268.]] Contact with crusaders from Western Europe, particularly France, brought important new influences on Armenian culture. The Cilician nobility eagerly adopted many aspects of Western European life, including [[chivalry]], fashions in clothing and the use of French Christian names. The linguistic influence was so great that two new letters (Ֆ ֆ = "f" and Օ օ = "o") were added to the Armenian alphabet. The structure of Cilician society became closer to Western [[feudalism]] than to the traditional [[nakharar]] system of Armenia in which the king was merely "first among equals" among the nobility. In other areas, there was more hostility to the new trends. Above all, most ordinary Armenians frowned on conversion to Roman Catholicism or Greek Orthodoxy. The Cilician period also produced some important examples of Armenian art, notably the illuminated manuscripts of [[Toros Roslin]], who was at work in [[Hromkla]] in the 13th century.<ref>[[Richard G. Hovannisian|Hovannisian, Richard G.]] (ed.) (1998). ''The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times, Volume I: From Antiquity to the Fourteenth Century''. New York: Palgrave, p. 283, pp. 289-90</ref> ==Decline with the Lusignan dynasty== [[Image:Constantin5Armenie.jpg|thumb|[[Constantin III of Armenia]] on his throne with the [[Hospitallers]]. "Les chevaliers de Saint-Jean-de-Jerusalem rétablissant la religion en Arménie", 1844 painting by [[Henri Delaborde (painter)|Henri Delaborde]].]] The Hethoumids ruled Cilicia until the murder of [[Leo IV of Armenia|Leo IV]] in 1341. In spite of his alliance with the Christian [[Kingdom of Cyprus]], Leo IV was unable to resist the attacks of the Egyptian Mameluks.<ref>Mahé. ''L'Arménie'', p. 77</ref> In 1341, his cousin [[Constantine IV of Armenia|Guy Lusignan]] was elected king. The [[Lusignan dynasty]] was of French origin, and already had a foothold in the area, the Island of [[Cyprus]]. There had always been close relations between the Lusignans of Cyprus and the Armenians. However, when the pro-Latin Lusignans took power, they tried to impose Catholicism and the European way of life. The Armenian leadership largely accepted this, but the peasantry opposed the changes. Eventually, this led way to civil strife. <ref name="Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II">{{hy icon}} {{cite book | last = Kurdoghlian | first = Mihran | title = Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II | publisher = Hradaragoutioun Azkayin Oussoumnagan Khorhourti |date= 1996 | location = Athens, Greece | pages = p. 29-56}}</ref> In the late 14th century, Cilicia was invaded by the [[Mameluks]]. The fall of Sis in April, 1375 put an end to the kingdom; its last King, [[Levon V of Armenia|Leo V]], was granted safe passage and died in exile in Paris in 1393 after calling in vain for another Crusade. The title was claimed by his cousin, [[James I of Cyprus]], uniting it with the titles of Cyprus and Jerusalem. <ref name="Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II">{{hy icon}} {{cite book | last = Kurdoghlian | first = Mihran | title = Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II | publisher = Hradaragoutioun Azkayin Oussoumnagan Khorhourti |date= 1996 | location = Athens, Greece | pages = p. 29-56}}</ref> Thus ended the last fully independent Armenian entity of the Middle Ages after three centuries of sovereignty and bloom. ==Dispersion of the Armenian population of Cilicia== [[Image:Armenians.jpg|thumb|left|Before the [[Armenian genocide]], in Cilicia still lived an important Armenian population]] Although the Egyptian Mameluks had taken over Cilicia, they were unable to maintain their hold on it. Turkic tribes eventually made their way to the region and established themselves there, leading to the conquest of Cilicia by [[Tamerlane]]. As a result, 30000 wealthy Armenians left Cilicia and settled in Cyprus, which continued to be under French rule until 1489. Only the humbler Armenians remained in Cilicia, and by doing so, conserved the Armenian foothold in the region until the [[Armenian genocide]] of 1915. Their descendants are now dispersed in the [[Armenian diaspora]], and the [[Holy See of Cilicia]] is now based in [[Antelias]], [[Lebanon]]. <ref name="Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II">{{hy icon}} {{cite book | last = Kurdoghlian | first = Mihran | title = Badmoutioun Hayots, Volume II | publisher = Hradaragoutioun Azkayin Oussoumnagan Khorhourti |date= 1996 | location = Athens, Greece | pages = p. 29-56}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==Bibliography== <div class="references-small"> *{{cite book |last=Boase |first=T. S. R. |title=The Cilician Kingdom of Armenia |year=1978 |pages=206 |publisher=Scottish Academic Press |location=Edinburgh |id=ISBN 0-7073-0145-9}} *{{cite book | last = Redgate | first = Anne Elizabeth | title = The Armenians | edition = First | year = 2000 | publisher = Blackwell Publishers Inc. | location = Massachusetts | pages = 356 |id=ISBN 0-631-22037-2}} *{{cite book | last =Hovannisian | first =Richard G. | title =The Armenian people from ancient to modern times: from antiquity to the fourteenth century | publisher =Palgrave Macmillan | date =1997 | pages =493 | id=ISBN 0-312-10168-6 }} *{{cite book | last =Ghazarian | first =Jacob G. | title =The Armenian kingdom in Cilicia during the Crusades | publisher =Routledge | date =2000 | pages =256 | id=ISBN 0700714189 }} *{{cite book | last =Luisetto | first =Frédéric | title =Arméniens et autres Chrétiens d'Orient sous la domination Mongole |publisher =Geuthner | date =2007 | pages =262 | id=ISBN 9782705337919 }} * Mahé, Jean-Pierre. ''L'Arménie à l'épreuve des siècles'', Découvertes Gallimard, 2005, ISBN 9782070314096 </div> ==See also== *[[Cilicia]] *[[Rubenid dynasty]] *[[List of monarchs of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia]] *[[1268 Cilicia earthquake]] ==External links== *[http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Asia/Armenia/_Texts/KURARM/27*.html Barony and Kingdom of Cilicia] (Kurkjian's History of Armenia, Chs.&nbsp;27‑31) {{Historical regions of Armenia}} {{Armenia topics}} [[Category:Medieval Armenia]] [[Category:Noble jurisdictions of the Crusader states|Cilicia]] [[Category:Crusades]] [[Category:Former countries in Asia]] [[Category:1080s establishments]] [[Category:1375 disestablishments]] [[Category:Armenian kingdoms]] [[Category:Cilicia]] [[ca:Regne d'Armènia Menor]] [[cs:Arménské království v Kilíkii]] [[de:Armenisches Königreich von Kilikien]] [[es:Reino armenio de Cilicia]] [[eo:Armena reĝlando en Kilikio]] [[fr:Royaume de Petite-Arménie]] [[hy:Կիլիկիայի Հայկական Թագավորություն]] [[it:Regno armeno di Cilicia]] [[he:ממלכת קיליקיה הארמנית]] [[nl:Cilicisch Armenië]] [[ja:キリキア・アルメニア王国]] [[pl:Armenia Mała]] [[ru:Киликийское царство]] [[simple:Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia]] [[uk:Кілікійське царство]]