Categories: Antiquities

Cilician Armenian Coins – King Hethum, 1226-1270

The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia was a feudal kingdom that existed from 1080 to 1375.

The inhabitants of Cilicia were very freedom-loving and only nominally obeyed the Persians, Seleucids, and from 63 BC the Romans. The Romans kept in submission only the plain of Cilicia.

The Cilicians have always been distinguished by their courage and knack of the sea. Cilicia literally became a brothel of sea robbers, Cilician pirates, during the feuds between the Seleucids.

The rise of this Greek saying dates back to this time: “The three worst words beginning with the letter C are Cappadocians, Cretans, and Cilicians.”

King Hethum I with Queen Zabel, 1226-1270 AD.
King Hethum I with Queen Zabel.
King Hethum I.
King Hethum I.
A copper coin depicting a horse carriage. The king is riding a horse while holding a long cross in his hand. The inscription in Armenian reads: “Hethum, King of Armenians.” The reverse side features a large cross with two stars and two points in opposite quadrants.
Silver coins of the king of Armenian Cilicia Hethum with Queen Zabel. Zabel is on the left, Hethum on the right. Hethum is standing in royal vestments, a long cross can be seen in his hands in the middle. The inscription in Armenian reads: “By the will of God.” The inscription in Armenian on the reverse side reads: “Hethum, King of Armenians”.
Vigen Avetisyan

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