Cilician Armenia - Historum

IrAr · January 7th, 2007, 01:25 PM

Hello.
I am trying to learn more about this small, overlooked yet vastly important medieval nation. In particular, what kind of soldiers did they use? How was their army organised? What were there chief cities? Why have they fallen into obscurity?

**Comet** · January 7th, 2007, 05:10 PM

I did some poking around and found this website that might be of some help. It looks like its sponsored by the University of Chicago so it should be a legitimate source. If you can give me some more detailed information I might be able to point you in a better direction.

Vahan Kurkjian's History of Armenia.

IrAr · January 7th, 2007, 06:41 PM

Yeah, I have very little information to go off of. I really just have the dynasties, general information, the geography, and a few Coats of Arms given to the Kings by the Crusaders.

**Comet** · January 7th, 2007, 09:30 PM

Let me see what I have in my own library and I will get back to you. I may have a lot on the religious history of the region, but the military aspects I'm going to have little to nothing.

Cunedda · January 8th, 2007, 07:24 AM

Try digging into Byzantine or Crusader archives from the period. The Crusader Principality of Antioch and the Byzantine Empire where always fueding for control of this region.

**Belisarius** · January 8th, 2007, 09:37 AM

This is not really in my area of interest but I've found a few bits and pieces that may be of interest.

Cilician Armenians composed most of the population of the County of Edessa and would be found serving as subjects, mercenaries and allies under their own chieftains. In 1108, for example, Kogh Vasil, prince of Kesoun supplied Baldwin of Edessa with about 2000 cavalry and an equal number of foot (including Seljuk renegades). In 1119, 500 Armenian cavalry fought at the battle of Ager Sanguinus. When Edessa fell in 1144 many of the city’s mercenary defenders were Armenians. That said, they also fought for the Seljuks from time to time.

As regards the composition of their armies, information is sketchy, based in part on surviving manuscript illustrations. It appears their cavalry were lance armed like the crusader knights and wore a mix of Byzantine equipment early on, which was gradually replaced by Frankish and/or Turkish styles. Both Kite and round shields were common. Infantry were recorded as lightly armed, with spear and shield or bows.

You'll need to look at sources for the Crusades period. If you can find a copy, The book "Kingdoms and Strongholds of the Crusaders" by T.S.R. Boase is apparently very informative.

Hope this helps.

Cunedda · January 8th, 2007, 10:18 PM

I'm actuall reading a new book called "God's War." Its all about the history of the Crusades. I'm currently at the beginning of the Second Crusade and what I came across so far was more or less what Belisarius has already metioned. The Armenian's were mostly allies to the Crusaders because they were fellow christains.

Nikd · January 8th, 2007, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belisarius

This is not really in my area of interest but I've found a few bits and pieces that may be of interest.

Cilician Armenians composed most of the population of the County of Edessa and would be found serving as subjects, mercenaries and allies under their own chieftains. In 1108, for example, Kogh Vasil, prince of Kesoun supplied Baldwin of Edessa with about 2000 cavalry and an equal number of foot (including Seljuk renegades). In 1119, 500 Armenian cavalry fought at the battle of Ager Sanguinus. When Edessa fell in 1144 many of the city’s mercenary defenders were Armenians. That said, they also fought for the Seljuks from time to time.

As regards the composition of their armies, information is sketchy, based in part on surviving manuscript illustrations. It appears their cavalry were lance armed like the crusader knights and wore a mix of Byzantine equipment early on, which was gradually replaced by Frankish and/or Turkish styles. Both Kite and round shields were common. Infantry were recorded as lightly armed, with spear and shield or bows.

You'll need to look at sources for the Crusades period. If you can find a copy, The book "Kingdoms and Strongholds of the Crusaders" by T.S.R. Boase is apparently very informative.

Hope this helps.

I will agree, many Armenians were forced to leave their ancestral homes after the defeat of the Byzantines in Manzikert and many others due to religious suppression from the Orthodox byzantines and created in the Armenian state of Cilicy (short live however).

IrAr · January 9th, 2007, 04:07 PM

The Armenians are Orthodox.

Nikd · January 9th, 2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrAr

The Armenians are Orthodox.

The Armenians follow a different dogma than the official Orthodox church.