Relations between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Armenians of Cilicia (1143-1180)

This study will examine the political, religious, economic and military policies pursued by Byzantine Emperor Manuel Komnenos (1143–1180) toward the Armenians living in Cilicia. In particular, the processes of pressure and intervention directed at the Armenian communities settled in the Cilician region will be evaluated within the framework of Komnenos practices. After the Komnenos dynasty ascended to the Byzantine throne, they began to disturb the Armenians who had recently migrated to their new homeland. Indeed, this tension manifested itself on both sides. The Armenians did not hesitate to respond to Byzantium. When Manuel Komnenos was deemed worthy of the Byzantine throne, he had already engaged in military struggle against the Armenians in Cilicia alongside his father. After his father's death, he did not abandon this struggle but rather continued to corner the Armenians at every opportunity. The confrontations between Manuel Komnenos and Thoros-one of the most significant Armenian opponents in Cilicia-demonstrate the intensity of Armenian with Byzantine relations during this period. Komnenos' practice of ordering military expeditions not only through his own forces but also via his loyal commanders against Armenian regions reveals that this policy was systematically supported through military means. With in the scope of this study, the aforementioned process is examined based on Byzantine and Armenian chronicles; the extent of the political and military power achieved by the Cilician Armenians during the Komnenos period is analyzed. Furthermore, the study also assesses the Byzantine Empire's attempts to reestablish control in response to the Armenians who had formerly functioned as a buffer between the Persians and Byzantines becoming a regional power during this period.