Thoros II, Prince of Armenia facts for kids

Thoros II, Prince of Armenia, also known as Toros II the Great (Armenian: Թորոս Բ), was an important leader of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. He ruled as the sixth Lord of Armenian Cilicia from the Rubenid dynasty between 1144/1145 and 1169. His reign was a time of great effort to free his homeland from foreign control.

Thoros, along with his father Leo I and brother Roupen, was captured in 1137. This happened after the Byzantine Emperor John II Comnenus attacked Cilicia and the Principality of Antioch. The Byzantine army successfully took over Gaban and Vahka (now Feke in Turkey). For eight years, all of Cilicia was under the rule of the Byzantine Empire.

Unlike his father and brother, Thoros survived being held captive in Constantinople. He managed to escape in 1143. When Thoros returned to Cilicia, he found it occupied by many Greek soldiers. He gathered the Armenian people in eastern Cilicia to his side. After a determined effort, he successfully drove out the Byzantine forces from many cities. These included Pardzerpert (now Andırın in Turkey), Vahka, Sis (today Kozan in Turkey), Anazarbus, Adana, Mamistra, and finally Tarsus. His victories were helped because there were fewer attacks from Muslim groups. Also, the Greeks and Crusaders faced difficulties after the Siege of Edessa in 1144.

Emperor Manuel I Comnenus was not happy with Thoros's success in areas the Byzantine Empire still claimed. He tried to find peaceful ways to solve the conflict, but it didn't work. Thoros took back the Taurus fortresses before 1150, which didn't greatly affect Greek power. However, his capture of Mamistra in 1151 and the rest of Cilicia in 1152 made a large military campaign necessary. Over the next 20 years, the emperor launched three separate military attacks against Thoros. Each campaign had only limited success. Thoros's achievements during his rule helped establish Armenian Cilicia as a strong and stable state.

Thoros II's Early Life

Thoros was the second son of Leo I, who was the lord of Armenian Cilicia. We do not know for sure the name or background of his mother. She might have been a daughter of Count Hugh I of Rethel. Another possibility is that she was the daughter of Gabriel of Melitene.

In 1136, Thoros's father, Leo I, was captured by Baldwin of Marash. Leo I was then sent away to be held in Antioch. While he was away, his three sons had disagreements. The oldest son, Constantine, was eventually captured and lost his sight by his brothers. After two months, Leo I was set free. He had to agree to very difficult conditions to gain his freedom.

In the early summer of 1137, Emperor John II Comnenus arrived in Cilicia with a large army. He was on his way to take Antioch. His army successfully recaptured Seleucia, Korikos, Tarsus, Mamistra, Adana, Tel Hamdoun (now Toprakkale in Turkey), and Anazarbus. Leo I tried to find safety in the Taurus Mountains. But he eventually realized the situation was hopeless and surrendered to the emperor. Thoros and his youngest brother, Roupen, were also captured with their father. They were taken to Constantinople, where Leo I died in prison in 1141. Roupen, after being blinded, was killed by the Greeks.

Thoros II's Rule

Freeing Armenian Cilicia

Thoros escaped from Constantinople around 1143. He first fled to the island of Cyprus, which was under Byzantine control at the time. He traveled there on a Venetian ship. From Cyprus, he made his way to Antioch. He found safety at the court of his cousin, Count Joscelin II of Edessa. From there, with a few trusted friends, he was helped by a Syrian priest. The priest led them by night to a safe place near the Pyramus River (now Ceyhan River in Turkey).

They then crossed the Amanus range (now Nur Mountains in Turkey). They reached the Armenian strongholds in the Taurus Mountains. There, Thoros began to gather new followers. He recaptured Vahka, which was a family stronghold. Two of his brothers, Stephen and Mleh, joined him. He also became friends with a nearby Frankish lord, Simon of Raban. Thoros married Simon's daughter.

First Byzantine Attack on Cilicia

In 1151, the Byzantines were busy fighting a Muslim attack on Turbessel. During this time, Thoros moved into the Cilician plain. He defeated and killed the Byzantine governor, Thomas, near Mamistra. Emperor Manuel I immediately sent his cousin Andronicus Comnenus with an army. Their goal was to take back the land Thoros had captured. But Thoros was ready for the Greeks and won a major victory at the Battle of Mamistra in 1152. As Andronicus Comnenus prepared to attack Thoros at Mamistra, the Armenians suddenly rushed out. They caught him by surprise. His army was defeated, and he returned to Constantinople in shame.

Meanwhile, the Hethumids, who supported the Byzantines, looked for chances to fight against the Roupenian family. Andronicus Comnenus's mission was one such chance, but it did not bring them glory. Many of their soldiers were killed by Thoros's aggressive plan. Many more were taken captive. Among the captives were two important leaders, Oshin II of Lampron and his son Hethum. Oshin II was eventually released after a payment. His son was kept as a hostage. However, Thoros arranged for his daughter to marry Hethum. He also returned half of the payment money to Hethum's father, Oshin II of Lampron.

Conflicts with Seljuks and Antioch

Emperor Manuel I Comnenus convinced the Seljuk sultan of Rûm, Mesud I, to attack Thoros. The Sultan demanded that Thoros submit to his rule. However, the Seljuk attack, which was caused by an Armenian raid into Seljuk lands in Cappadocia in the winter of 1154, was successfully defeated by Thoros. He worked together with a group of Knights Templar.

Then the emperor asked Antioch for help. He offered to recognize the new prince, Raynald of Châtillon, if the Franks of Antioch would fight against Thoros. He also promised money if the job was done well. Raynald agreed willingly. This was because the Armenians had moved into the area of Alexandretta (now İskenderun in Turkey), which the Franks claimed as part of the Principality of Antioch.

After a short battle near Alexendretta, Raynald forced the Armenians back into Cilicia. He then gave the recaptured land to the Knights Templar. Another idea is that after the battle, Raynald had to return home, feeling ashamed. Later, Thoros willingly gave the fortresses to the Knights. The Knights, in turn, promised to "help the Armenians whenever they needed it." In 1156, the Jacobites were allowed to build a new church in Antioch. Constance of Antioch and Thoros attended its dedication.

After securing the land he wanted, Raynald asked the emperor for the promised money. The emperor refused, saying the main task was not yet done. Raynald quickly joined Thoros and planned to attack Cyprus. The Armenians then attacked the few remaining Byzantine fortresses in Cilicia.

The Attack on Cyprus

In the spring of 1156, Raynald of Châtillon and Thoros suddenly landed on Cyprus. Both Thoros and Raynald led widespread looting on the island. The Franks and Armenians marched across the island, robbing and taking goods from every building they saw. This included churches and convents, as well as shops and private homes. The crops were burned. Animals were gathered, along with all the people, and driven to the coast.

This difficult period lasted about three weeks. Then, hearing a rumor of an imperial fleet approaching, Raynald ordered his forces to re-board their ships. The ships were loaded with stolen goods. Every Cypriot person was forced to pay money to be set free.

Meanwhile, Thoros quickly became friends with Kilij Arslan II, the new Seljuk sultan of Rûm. In 1158, they signed a peace treaty.

Second Byzantine Attack on Cilicia

In the summer of 1158, Manuel I Comnenus launched his second attack on Thoros. Leading an army, he marched along the usual routes to Seleucia. There, with a small rapid deployment force of horsemen and soldiers from Seleucia, he launched a surprise attack on Thoros. Thoros was in Tarsus, not expecting anything. Then, one day in late October, a Latin pilgrim he had hosted rushed back to his court. The pilgrim told him that Imperial troops were only a day's march away. Thoros quickly gathered his family, close friends, and treasures. He immediately fled to the mountains.

The next day, Emperor Manuel entered the Cilician plain. Within two weeks, all the Cilician cities up to Anazarbus were under his control. But Thoros himself still avoided capture. While Byzantine groups searched the valleys, he fled from hilltop to hilltop. He finally found safety on a high rock called Dadjog, near the source of the Cydnus river. Only his two most trusted servants knew where he was hiding. Much of Cilicia was returned to Byzantine control, but Thoros still held the mountainous regions in the north.

Eventually, Baldwin III of Jerusalem stepped in. He successfully helped create a peace treaty between the emperor and Thoros. Thoros had to walk barefoot and without a head covering to the emperor's camp. There, he bowed down in the dust before the emperor's platform. He was forgiven for his actions in both Cilicia and Cyprus. He was still allowed to keep some control in Cilicia.

The Death of His Brother

Thoros's brother, Stephen, did not follow Thoros's promises to Manuel I. With the help of some supporters, he continued attacking Greek military posts. This gave Andronicus Euphorbenus, the Byzantine governor in Tarsus, a chance to break the treaty.

Thoros, who had his own reasons for wanting Stephen's death, accused Andronicus Euphorbenus of being involved. Thoros then quickly attacked Mamistra, Anazarbus, and Vahka. He surprised and killed the Greek soldiers there. Eventually, peace with the emperor was arranged through the help of King Amalric I of Jerusalem. Andronicus Euphorbenus was called back and replaced by Konstantinos Kalamanos as the new Byzantine governor in Tarsus.

Working with the Crusaders

In 1164, Nur ad-Din, the emir of Aleppo, learned that Amalric I had left for Egypt. He then attacked the Principality of Antioch and began to besiege the important fortress of Harenc. Prince Bohemond III of Antioch asked Count Raymond III of Tripoli, Thoros, and Konstantinos Kalamanos to come and help him. When Nur ad-Din heard they were coming, he stopped the siege. As he retreated, Bohemond decided to follow him. The armies met on August 10, 1164, at the battle of Harim, near Artah. Bohemond ignored a warning from Thoros and attacked immediately. When the Muslims pretended to run away, he rushed after them, only to fall into a trap. Thoros and his brother Mleh, who had been more careful, escaped from the battle.

Around that time (either in 1164 or 1167), Thoros visited Jerusalem. He suggested that a large number of Armenians could settle there. However, the Latin church leaders forced Amalric I to refuse the offer. They insisted that the Armenians should pay a special tax called the dime.

Third Byzantine Attack on Cilicia

Occasional fighting broke out everywhere, bothering the Greek forces throughout Cilicia. In 1168, Emperor Manuel I, still troubled by his problems with Thoros, marched his armies into Cilicia for the third time. This time, the army was led by Konstantinos Kalamanos. But Kalamanos only had limited success. In the end, this led Byzantium to give up its claim to all of Cilicia. They only kept access to the ports of the Gulf of Alexandretta. Byzantium also gave up all rights to directly govern Cilicia. They accepted Thoros's recognition of Byzantine rule as a settlement.

Thoros II's Final Years

Thoros had a disagreement with his brother Mleh. Mleh tried to kill him and then fled to Nur ed-Din, becoming a Muslim.

Thoros, tired after nearly 25 years of ruling and fighting, gave up his throne. He chose his young son Roupen II to rule next. Roupen II was placed under the care of Thoros's father-in-law, the Regent Thomas. After stepping down, Thoros became a monk.

He passed away in 1169. He was buried in the monastery of Drazark.

Marriages and Children

1. Around 1149, he married an unnamed daughter of Simon of Raban. (Some say she was Isabelle, daughter of Count Joscelin II of Edessa).
   • Rita (born around 1150 – died after 1168/1169), who married Hethum III of Lampron.
   • Irene, who married Isaac Komnenus of Cyprus.
2. Around 1164, he married an unnamed daughter of the future regent Thomas.
   • Roupen II of Cilicia (born around 1165 – died in Hromgla, 1170).

Sources

• Baldwin, Marshall W. (1969). "The Latin States under Baldwin III and Amalric I, 1143–1174". In Setton, Kenneth M.. A History of the Crusades, Volume I: The First Hundred Years (Second ed.). Madison, Milwaukee, and London: University of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 0-299-04834-9. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/History.CrusOne.
• Edwards, Robert W.: The Fortifications of Armenian Cilicia, Dumbarton Oaks Studies XXIII, Dumbarton Oaks: Trustees for Harvard University, 1987, Washington, D.C.; ISBN: 0-88402-163-7
• Ghazarian, Jacob G: The Armenian Kingdom in Cilicia during the Crusades: The Integration of Cilician Armenians with the Latins (1080–1393); RoutledgeCurzon (Taylor & Francis Group), 2000, Abingdon; ISBN: 0-7007-1418-9
• Runciman, Steven (1952). A History of the Crusades, Volume II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Frankish East. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.