Thoros I of Armenia - Definition and Overview

Thoros I was the ruler of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia or Armenia Minor between 1100 and 1129.

His grandfather Ruben I of Armenia (or Rhupen) (1080-1095) established a principality in Cilicia in southeastern Turkey between the Aegean Sea and the Taurus Mountains after the collapse of greater Armenia under pressure from the Seljuk Turks. His father Constantine I suceeded to the throne in 1095 and started expanding the kingdom.

Thoros continued and extended the alliances formed by Constantine I with the new Crusader states of Syria. With the assistance of these allies, notably Tancred of the Principality of Antioch he defeated the Seljuk Turks at Marash in 1107 and the forces of the Byzantine Empire at Anarzaba in 1108. These victories led to the further expansion of the principality with the towns of Anarzaba and Sis being added and the principality extending along the Pyramus River.

Despite periodic raids from the Seljuk Turks, Thoros was able to consolidate the growth of the principality. His daughter married Baldwin I of Jerusalem in 1099 although Baldwin later sent her to a monastery on the grounds of infidelity. Thoros was also a pious prince establishing churches and monasteries as the principality grew.

External links

• Armenian History page on Cilicia (http://www.armenianhistory.info/cilician.htm|)
• Armenian History page on Thorus I (http://www.armenianhistory.info/thoros1.htm|)
• 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica article on Cilicia (http://65.1911encyclopedia.org/C/CI/CILICIA.htm/)
• Armenian History page on Cilician history (http://www.armenian-history.com/CILICIAN%20ARMENIA/Cilician%20armenia.htm)