Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia: Encyclopedia II - Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia - Foundation of Armenian power in Cilicia

Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia - Foundation of Armenian power in Cilicia

The Armenians came to serve the Byzantines, as military officers and governors, and when Imperial power in the region weakened in the chaotic years after the Battle of Manzikert, some of these seized the opportunity to set themself up as sovereign Lords, while others remained, at least in name, loyal. The most successful of these early warlords was Philaretos Brachamios, a former Armenian general of Romanus IV Diogenes. Between 1078 and 1085, Philaretus built a principality stretching from Cilicia to Edessa, but after his death his dominion disintegrated into local lordships again.

By the end of the 11th century, there were six important principalities in the area:

• 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, the founder of the important Hethumid dynasty.
• To the north east was the principality of Constantine I of Armenia, the son of prince Roupen 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 Tatoul, a former Byzantine official.
• East of Maraş, the Armenian Kogh Vasil held the fourtresses of Raban (modern Altınaşkale) and Kesoun as a Seljuk vassal.
• To the north of these, on the Upper Euphrates, lay the principality of Malatya (Melitene), held by Gabriel, one of Philaretus' former officers, under Seljuk overlordship.
• Finally, beyond Malatya, was Edessa, controlled by Thoros, another of Philaretus' officers, and son-in-law of Gabriel of Malatya.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Foundation of Armenian power in Cilicia", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki