Armenia & The Armenians
THE CONQUEST OF SELJUK TURKS AND A NEW ARMENIAN STATE
In 1071 Byzantium was conquered by Seljuk Turks, and the victors
swarmed over eastern Anatolia and incorporated Armenia into their
domain. Seljuk domination of Armenia encouraged Armenian emigration into
the Byzantine Empire, particularly to Cilicia.
Some of the Armenian nobility carved out small baronies and
principalities on Byzantine territory. The most important of them, the
principality of Cilicia declared its independence under the Armenian
prince Ruben in 1080.
Under prince Levon II (1187-1219) and subsequently under King
Levon V of Lusignan, the principality was transformed into a kingdom
which managed to survive for nearly 200 years. Meanwhile, the Mongols
had displaced the Seljuks in Armenia Proper, and the country was
subjected to unparalleled devastation and slaughter. Lesser Armenia on
the other hand, hung on tenaciously until 1375 when it was incorporated
into the Mameluk Empire; thus the last kingdom of Armenia came to and
end. It was to be the last independent Armenian state until the 20th
century...
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