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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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Several historians, including Tournebize, describe this total obedience of the barons and the grand nobility of Cilicia towards the king, an obedience that had not existed in the old Armenia. Tournebize writes: "The Armenian rulers became barons and dukes. With their oath of loyalty towards the king, they were obliged to supply him with forces in times of war against enemies. The king, in his turn, let them participate in the task of ruling and to take part in discussions regarding issues concerning the kingdom. At the same time the king recognized their rights and privileges over their properties and subjects. He could also confiscate the properties which a nobleman had received from him." 107

In the western world as well, this invigoration of the feudal system was allowing the royal houses to rise from their weak position, and as Guizot writes, they "regained their general character and were transformed into the head of the nation."

The last part of the history of New Armenia was marred by the breach of agreement of certain nobilities. During the reign of Levon III Armenian noblemen, apprehending the threat from the Egyptian sultan against New Armenia, did not hesitated to conclude treaties with the enemy, who in exchange guaranteed their private interests and rights.

From the 14th century tonwards the defences of New Armenia were weakened because of the constant conflicts between the regents, who wanted to unite the Armenian and the Catholic Churches, and the majority of the Armenian nobility and the people who were firmly holding on to their old faith. The kings' chief interest in this unrealised goal, was to gain the interest and respect of the western world for New Armenia.

The survival of New Armenia, surrounded by hostile neighbours after the fall of the crusader states, was only assured by the ethnical unity evident in its society and organisation, more evident than that of the previous Arshakouni Armenia on the Armenian highland.

Due to the capabilities of Levon II, New Armenia reached a level of organization and court prominence on a par with any of its contemporary state.

First amongst the important institutions of the country was the chief commander. This title was continued from old Armenia, but whereas its name had been "Sparapet" in Armenian, it was now given a new western name, the Connétable. In addition to the post of chief commander, Levon II added also the post of marshal in the Armenian army. Aside from these two titles there was the chancellor, who acted as foreign minister as well as interior minister. Next in pre-eminence was the royal treasurer, or the Procsimus, who was responsible for the assets of the country. Thereafter came the admiral of the fleet who was responsible for the harbours, followed in rank by the administrators who worked in customs and answered to the treasurer of the king.

Finally there were the ambassadors who were often sent as the emissaries of New Armenia to the crusader states, Byzantine, the Muslims sultanates in the vicinity of New Armenia, Rome, Naples, Genoa, Venice and even to the English, French and German courts.


107) Tournebize, Histoire politique et religieuse de l'Arménie, Paris, 1910, p. 195