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Index

Armenia

The Urartu Civilisation

Victory for Independence

Artashisian Dynasty on the Armenian Throne

Armenia caught between Rome and the Arsacids

The Acceptance of Christianity

Defending Christianity

Armenia Under the Bagratouni Dynasty

Cilicia - the New Armenia

Armenia Under Turanian Rule

The Renaissance or the Resurrection of Armenia

The Eastern Question

Russia in the Caucasus

The Armenian Question

Battle on Two Fronts

Tsarist Russia Against the Armenians

The Revolution of the Young Turks and the Armenian People on the Eve of World War I

The First World War

The Resurrection of Armenia

Armenia on the Road to Independence, 1918

- Armenia on the Road to Independence, 1918

Eastern Armenia

Western Armenia

"The Fateful Years" (1914-1917)

"Hopes and Emotions" (March-October, 1917)

The Bolshevik Revolution and Armenia

Transcaucasia Adrift (November, 1917

Dilemmas (March-April, 1918)

War and Independence (April-May, 1918)

The Republics of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia

The Suppliants (June-October, 1918)

In conclusion

Soviet Armenia

The Second Independent Republic of Armenia

Epilogue

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Levon II the Magnificent (1187-1219)



Let us return to the reign of Levon II, the king known as "the Magnificent", and without doubt the greatest ruler which Armenia has produced during its military history. When Levon II took over the throne from his brother, Rouben III, the strong foundation for the government of New Armenia had already been laid. Howeve, the administrative, economic and military divisions were still to be created and strengthened, raising the duchy to an independent kingdom. All of this Levon II achieved.

According to Viktor Langlois, the reign of the first successor of Prince Rouben was spent in battle, partly against Byzantine and the Armenian princes who were supported by Byzantine, but also against the Muslim neighbours who constantly pestered New Armenia. The task of finding a new homeland had been achieved; what remained to put into effect was effective rules and systems, which would make the western world accept New Armenia as an independent kingdom and later allow the country to become a permanent power. This task rested on Levon II. 49 Due to his work, New Armenia reached maturity.

His long reign lasted 32 years (1187-1219), and was the most successful and fertile period in the history of Armenia and the Armenian people in terms of creation and development. The country was able to enjoy peace, welfare and glory during his reign.

Levon II at the start of his regin like many of other Armenian kings, was a fighting king. The active defence of the country against the threats of the enemies which surrounded Cilicia on all sides was his initial responsibility.

In 1187, he was forced to engage in a war against Aleppo and Damascus, an arduous war in which he actually forced the allied forces to retreat. This first success of Levon II is of great significance from a historical perspective, for at the same time that Saladin had begun his decisive battle against the Latin state of Jerusalem, the forces of Levon II drew away the attention of some part of his forces and this way easing the pressure on the crusaders. 50

His initial endeavours proved Levon chivalry; he consequently stopped the Turkish Emir Rustam who had attacked Cilicia in order to take the city of Sis, and later, in a battle outside the city of Marash, annihilated the Turkish forces where Rustam himself was killed. 51 Levon then redirected his forces towards the west and by defeating the ruler of Konya took control of the Isauria region. This victory was significant as it doubled the coastal area of New Armenia at the Mediterranean Sea.

Levon II moved the capital of New Armenia from Tarsus to Sis, since he reasoned that Sis, which was located among the mountains, was the cradle of New Armenia and should be its centre of power, while Tarsus, which laid on the plains of Cilicia, was more exposed and undefended.