CILICIAN ARMENIA.Cilician Armenia.Baronial.Toros I.(1100-1123).Pogh.

Obv : ԹՈՐՈՍ ՈՐԴԻ ('Toros son' in Armenian) Cross pattée.

Rev : ՌԲ - ՂԹ (an acronym of 'of Roupen with prayers' in Armenian) Large cross pattée with supports at base.
AC 246. Bedoukian 2a.

Condition : The coin displays a dark, earthy patina with shades of brown and green, indicative of significant age and exposure to environmental conditions. The surface has patches of wear and oxidation, which obscure some of the finer details. Despite this, the overall design elements are still distinguishable. The patina gives the coin a rustic appearance, with areas of raised features showing less corrosion, while the lower, recessed areas have accumulated more oxidation.Very fine.

Material : Bronze.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 2.20 gr
Diameter : 18 mm

Toros I, also known as Thoros I, was a prominent figure in the early history of the Kingdom of Cilician Armenia. He ruled as a baron or "lord" of the Armenian territories in Cilicia during the 12th century, from approximately 1100 to 1129, and is remembered for his efforts to establish and consolidate Armenian control over this region during a time of intense political and military upheaval. His leadership laid the foundations for what would eventually become the independent Kingdom of Cilician Armenia.

Cilician Armenia, located in the mountainous region of southern Anatolia near the Mediterranean Sea, was established by Armenian nobles fleeing the Seljuk Turks after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, when the Byzantine Empire lost control of much of Anatolia. Armenians, who had long been under Byzantine and Arab rule, migrated to Cilicia, a region known for its defensible terrain and fertile plains. Here, they formed a semi-independent state that would later rise to prominence as a kingdom in the Crusader and medieval periods.

At the time of Toros I's rise to power, Cilician Armenia was not yet a fully unified kingdom. Instead, it was a collection of baronies and principalities ruled by local Armenian lords. The region was surrounded by powerful neighbors, including the Byzantine Empire, the Seljuk Turks, and later the Crusader states, which emerged in the early 12th century after the First Crusade. These surrounding powers often sought control over Cilicia, making the task of unifying and defending the region a difficult one.

Toros I was a member of the Rubenid dynasty, a noble Armenian family that claimed descent from the ancient kings of Armenia. He succeeded his father, Ruben I, the founder of the Rubenid dynasty, as the leader of the Armenian barons in Cilicia. Under his rule, Toros worked to expand his territories and consolidate his power over the region, focusing on fortifying key strategic locations, such as mountainous strongholds, to defend against the incursions of both Seljuk Turks and Byzantine forces.

Toros was known for his military skill and political acumen. His reign was marked by constant military engagements with the surrounding powers. In particular, Toros had to fend off multiple Byzantine attempts to reassert control over Cilicia. At this time, the Byzantine Empire under Alexios I Komnenos sought to restore imperial authority over territories that had been lost to the Turks and Armenians in previous decades. Despite these efforts, Toros successfully maintained his autonomy, benefiting from the region's difficult terrain and the support of local Armenian lords.

The First Crusade, launched in 1096, had a significant impact on the political landscape of the Near East, and Cilicia became an important region for the Crusader states. As the Crusaders marched through Anatolia on their way to the Holy Land, they came into contact with the Armenians of Cilicia. Toros I saw an opportunity in the arrival of the Crusaders, forging alliances with them to strengthen his position against both the Byzantines and the Seljuks.

Toros offered the Crusaders provisions and safe passage through Cilicia in exchange for their support in his conflicts with neighboring powers. These alliances were mutually beneficial: the Crusaders gained a foothold in the region and access to resources, while Toros I was able to secure his rule and expand his influence. His relations with key Crusader leaders, such as Baldwin of Boulogne (who would later become Baldwin I, King of Jerusalem), were crucial in cementing Armenian-Crusader cooperation.

This alliance with the Crusaders was an important strategic move that helped protect Cilician Armenia from external threats while also enhancing its political standing. The cooperation between the Armenians and Crusaders continued for centuries, with Cilicia serving as a vital ally to the Crusader states and a key buffer between the Latin Christians and the Muslim forces in the region.

Under Toros I’s leadership, the Armenians in Cilicia expanded their territorial holdings and built up their defenses. He fortified the region's mountain strongholds, which made Cilicia difficult for invading forces to conquer. These fortresses, many of which were located in remote and easily defensible locations, became the backbone of the Armenian military strategy in the region.

Toros I also played an important role in fostering a sense of Armenian identity and autonomy in Cilicia. He worked to establish a cohesive Armenian state in the region, promoting Armenian culture, the Armenian Church, and local governance. His efforts helped lay the groundwork for the future Kingdom of Cilician Armenia, which would be formally established in 1198 under Levon I (Leo I), a descendant of the Rubenid dynasty.

Toros’ rule also marked the beginning of a transition in Cilicia’s political status. While he and other Armenian barons were initially semi-autonomous lords under the nominal authority of the Byzantine Empire, Cilician Armenia gradually moved towards full independence during his reign. This shift was further solidified by the continued weakening of Byzantine power and the rise of local Armenian rulers like Toros, who wielded real political and military authority in the region.

Toros I is remembered as a foundational figure in the history of Cilician Armenia. His leadership helped to establish the Armenian presence in Cilicia as a permanent and influential force in the region. Through his military successes, diplomatic alliances, and efforts to consolidate power, Toros set the stage for the rise of an independent Armenian kingdom in Cilicia.

His reign also exemplifies the complex interplay of regional politics during the medieval period, as Cilician Armenia was caught between the competing interests of the Byzantines, the Seljuks, and the Crusaders. Toros navigated these challenges effectively, maintaining his autonomy and ensuring that the Armenians of Cilicia could survive and thrive in a volatile geopolitical landscape.

Though Toros I did not live to see the formal establishment of the Cilician Armenian Kingdom, his efforts were instrumental in creating the conditions that would allow his descendants to eventually achieve this goal. His work in building alliances with the Crusaders and fortifying Cilicia against external threats provided a strong foundation for future rulers like Levon I, who would go on to become the first king of Cilician Armenia.

In summary, Toros I was a key figure in the early development of Cilician Armenia, known for his military prowess, strategic diplomacy, and efforts to consolidate Armenian rule in the region. His reign set the stage for the emergence of a powerful Armenian state in Cilicia, and his legacy is remembered as one of resilience and determination in the face of external pressures from the Byzantine Empire, the Seljuks, and other regional powers.