At the end of the 11th century, when most of Armenia was under foreign rule, a new Armenian state emerged on the northeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, in Cilicia. This state existed for nearly three centuries, from 1080 to 1375, and became a significant center of Armenian political and cultural life.
Geography and Natural Resources
Cilicia, located in the southeastern part of Asia Minor, is divided into two distinct regions: mountainous and flat. The Cilician Plain, situated at an altitude of 150-200 meters above sea level, is one of the most fertile areas in Asia Minor, known for its subtropical crops, cotton, rice, and grapes. The region is also rich in minerals and has a diverse fauna.
Historical Background
In ancient Armenian sources, Cilicia is referred to as the “Cilician land,” while Arab authors called it the “Country of Sisa” after its main city. In the first century BC, Mountainous Cilicia came under Roman rule, while its flat part was briefly annexed by Tigran II to his state before being ceded to Rome and later coming under Byzantine control.
Cilicia was initially inhabited by tribes from Asia Minor, and later by Greeks and Syrians. Armenians first settled in Cilicia during the reign of Tigran II (95-55 BC). The region saw the arrival of Arabs and Seljuks in the 8th-12th centuries, and Italian artisans and merchants from the 13th century onwards.
The Armenian Principality of Cilicia
The number of Armenians in Cilicia increased significantly in the 11th and early 12th centuries, as many Armenians from Asia Minor sought refuge from the Seljuks in the mountainous regions of Cilicia. The Tatar-Mongol invasion later brought a large influx of immigrants from central Armenia.
In the 11th century, several Armenian principalities existed in Cilicia, with the most prominent being the principality founded by Prince Ruben in Mountainous Cilicia. In 1080, Ruben expelled the Byzantines and proclaimed an independent Armenian principality. His successor, Constantine, expanded the principality by acquiring new regions and fortresses.
Struggles and Expansion
The Armenian Principality of Cilicia faced numerous challenges from the Byzantine Empire, the Seljuk Sultanate of Iconium, and the Latin Principality of Antioch. Despite these struggles, the Rubenids skillfully navigated the political landscape, gradually expanding the principality’s borders. By the first half of the 12th century, they had captured key cities such as Siye, Anarzaba, Adana, and Tare (Tarson).
The Kingdom of Cilicia
In 1198, the Armenian Principality of Cilicia was proclaimed an independent state in Tarsus, with Prince Levon crowned as King Levon II in 1219. This event was seen as the restoration of the Bagratid kingdom in a new territory, attracting a large Armenian population of nobles, clergy, warriors, peasants, artisans, and merchants.
During Levon II’s reign, the kingdom expanded to include both mountainous and plain regions of Cilicia. A strong regular army was established, fortresses were built, a merchant fleet was created, and trade agreements were signed with Venice, Genoa, and other cities and countries. The Cilician Armenian state continued to strengthen and grow economically until the 1260s.
Conclusion
The Armenian state in Cilicia represents a remarkable period in Armenian history, marked by resilience, strategic diplomacy, and cultural flourishing. Despite the challenges from surrounding powers, the Armenians in Cilicia managed to create a thriving and independent state that played a crucial role in the political and cultural life of the Armenian people for nearly three centuries.
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