PREVIEW: the Kingdom of Cilician Armenia

Adherbal · Adherbal

This week we preview the last faction we decided to include: (Cilician) Armenia. Located between two mighty empires, and with a set of unique units this should prove to be an interesting faction to play.

CILICIAN ARMENIA

INTRODUCTION

In AD 301, Armenia became the first state to adopt Christianity as its official state religion, twelve years before the Roman Empire granted Christianity official toleration. There had been various pagan communities before Christianity, but they were converted by an influx of Christian missionaries.

Having changed between various dynasties - including Parthian, Roman, Arab, Mongol and Persian occupations - Armenian identity was at a loss. The Armenians were under Seljuk Turkish rule in the following years, with the nomad Turks occupying Anatolia from 1071 AD. The Seljuk invasion of Armenia was followed by an exodus of Armenians southwards, and in 1080, Rhupen, a relative of the last king of Ani, founded in the heart of the Cilician Taurus a small principality, which gradually expanded into the kingdom of Lesser Armenia or Armenia Minor.

This Christian kingdom situated in the midst of Moslem states, hostile to the Byzantines, giving valuable support to the crusaders, and trading with the great commercial cities of Italy had a stormy existence of about 300 years. Gosdantin (1095-1100) assisted the crusaders on their march to Antioch, and was created knight and marquis. Thoros I (1100-1123), in alliance with the Christian princes of Syria, waged successful war against the Byzantines and Seljuk Turks. Levond II (1187-1219), extended the kingdom beyond Mount Taurus and established the capital at Sis. He assisted the crusaders, was crowned king by the archbishop of Mainz, and married one of the Lusignans of Cyprus. Haithon I (r. 1226-1270) made an alliance with the Mongols, who, before their adoption of Islam, protected his kingdom from the Mamelukes of Egypt. When Levond V died (1342), John of Lusignan was crowned king as Gosdantin IV; but he and his successors alienated the Armenians by attempting to make them conform to the Roman Church, and by giving all posts of honor to Latins, and at last the kingdom, a prey to internal dissensions, succumbed (1375) to the attacks of the Egyptian mamelukes. Cilicia Trachea was conquered by the Ottomans in the 15th century, but Cilicia Pedias remained independent until 1515.

THE ARMY

Caucasian Mountaineers
When the Armenian Naxarars (lords) fled Armenia from the onslaught of the Seljuk turks, they bought their retinues and warriors with them. Caucasian mountaineers were one group of mercanaries that fought for the Armenians, for the promise of plunder. They are tough fighters, having lived in harsh mountain regions, however are not well equipped and will not stand up to more heavily armed troops. They are experts at hiding in various terrain types.

Armenian Borderers
The passes in the mountainous areas surrounding both the Armenian homelands as well as Armenian Cilicia are patrolled by these border gaurds. They can hide anywhere, and many a Turkish raid has been stopped before their targets by a well timed charged from the border gaurds, suprising and defeating them. Because ambushing was the best way to defeat the Turkish invaders, heavy equipment cannot be taken, and so these men should not be used for the front line of a battle, but for hiding and ambushing unwary opponents.

Armenian Infantry
The bulk of the Armenian army is made up with Armenian Infantry. When Armenia was governed by the Byzantines, large numbers were drafted into the Byzantine army, and many posts in Asia Minor were manned by Armenian troops. After the Byzantine defeat at Manzikert and Asia Minor subsequently being overrun by the Seljuk turks, the Armenian militia members left the byzantine army to return to their homelands, and to the new Armenian province of Silicia.

Latin Auxilia
When the crusaders first came into contact with the Armenians in Cilicia, they were pleased to have some friendly neighbours. After the crusaders were successful in capturing Jerusaleum, and the subsequent infighting between the states, many went on to act as Mercenaries to other Christian powers nearby, such as Armenia. Their amount was bolstered by large numbers of crusaders leaving the fourth crusade shortly after the capture of Constantinople. They are expensive to use, but have good experience from fighting a variety of enemies, and so can be relied upon in battle.

Didebuls (Early)
Didebuls were the minor land owning classes in Armenia, comparable to the feudal knights of Western Europe. They were responsible for security of the surrounding area, and so needed to be skilled with use of arms, favouring use of horses. Like many Armenians, they left their ravaged homelands and journeyed to Cilicia. They are spear armed cavalry, and have a fairly strong charge.

Naxarar (Early)
The Naxarar were the significant land owners of Armenia, like the feudal lords of Europe. They were administrators in peace time, and warriors in war time, fighting as a well equipped heavy cavalry unit.

WARHORSES
As a sort of bonus: a screenshot from our new heavy warhorses. Slightly heavier and stronger then the average horse, an excellent mount for the western knights.

SIGNATURE BANNER

OLDER PREVIEWS
A list with links to the previous previews, in case you missed any:
The Reconquista
Historical Battles
Campaignmap & Rebels
Castles & Sieges
Northern Europe
The Byzantine Empire

~~Atheist Peace~~ · ~~Atheist Peace~~

Although not my favorite faction at all, the units look great and it only heightens my already very high excitement about the upcoming release. Nice work

shadepanther · shadepanther

nice preview. Amazing units

LordSaradain · LordSaradain

Cool! new horses look great!

Uranos · Uranos

I love variety so its grat that you have included Cilician Armenia, oh and units look great

sera · sera

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adherbal

WARHORSES
As a sort of bonus: a screenshot from our new heavy warhorses. Slightly heavier and stronger then the average horse, an excellent mount for the western knights.

I assume the Mongol pony/horse will be less strong, but with better pace and stamina?

Naxarar is a different name of nakharar?

Looks good!

SigniferOne · SigniferOne

Adherbal, I have to say that you are slowly churning out a thing of beauty here, with your mod. Look how far you've gone! Congratulations

The White Knight · The White Knight

Wooohoow... getting BI for this beauty. ^^

Kor Khan · Kor Khan

Quote:

Originally Posted by sera

I assume the Mongol pony/horse will be less strong, but with better pace and stamina?

Naxarar is a different name of nakharar?

Looks good!

Eastern horses won't be as big as the European ones, the heavy ones are a speciality of knights. The Arabs and Mongols preferred maneuvreability to sheer momentum.

Holger Danske · Holger Danske

Great review Adherbal.. Now I can't wait for the Crusader states (Jerusalem) and build my own Kingdom of heaven

-- Chivalry is the ONLY reason for buying BI

John I Tzimisces · John I Tzimisces

My cilician cousins in RI would be proud.

the celt · the celt

I cant wait to play these guys! Stuck between two empires and all sorts of directions to expand! Not to mention the awsome units.

ColbytheConqueror · ColbytheConqueror

Great Preveiw!!!

I cant wait to try out these guys and kick some musilim ass!!!

sera · sera

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColbytheConqueror

Great Preveiw!!!

I cant wait to try out these guys and kick some musilim ass!!!

Can't wait to see those muslim asses! Erm. Somehow that didn't come out just as I intended. Can't wait to see the Seljuk Turks, they were my favourite faction in MTW. So versatile!

Ahmose · Ahmose

Great Preveiw!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColbytheConqueror

Great Preveiw!!!

I cant wait to try out these guys and kick some musilim ass!!!

hi ColbytheConqueror, I think there are a lot of musilims over these forums,like me, so be polite and watch your words. Where are the moderators!!

Polemarch · Polemarch

Agreed. Though I really want my Byzantines to kick some Islam ass back and away from the great city :-)

dgoodman · dgoodman

well as long as its done well, the Islamic armies should be hard to stop.

Bello Gallicum · Bello Gallicum

The cool thing about that mod is, that it not only shows the units and sides everyone whants to play, but also those that are not actually everyones favorid. And that with this incredible cool units. Can't wait.

@Ahmos: Just wait until you can take your favorite nation and drive the british armys into the sea. Something I always liked to do in MTW.

sera · sera

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgoodman

well as long as its done well, the Islamic armies should be hard to stop.

Hope so, would hate having the entire middle east and africa too, "crusaderified".

{H0sPiTalLeR} · {H0sPiTalLeR}

woooo hooooooo! Got my suggestion for the horses in!!! Well done Adherbal and crew!!

look forward to the mod!!!

Adherbal	October 17, 2005, 12:50 PM / PREVIEW: the Kingdom of Cilician Armenia	#1
Captain Posts: 1,616 Total Awards: 1	This week we preview the last faction we decided to include: (Cilician) Armenia. Located between two mighty empires, and with a set of unique units this should prove to be an interesting faction to play. CILICIAN ARMENIA INTRODUCTION In AD 301, Armenia became the first state to adopt Christianity as its official state religion, twelve years before the Roman Empire granted Christianity official toleration. There had been various pagan communities before Christianity, but they were converted by an influx of Christian missionaries. Having changed between various dynasties - including Parthian, Roman, Arab, Mongol and Persian occupations - Armenian identity was at a loss. The Armenians were under Seljuk Turkish rule in the following years, with the nomad Turks occupying Anatolia from 1071 AD. The Seljuk invasion of Armenia was followed by an exodus of Armenians southwards, and in 1080, Rhupen, a relative of the last king of Ani, founded in the heart of the Cilician Taurus a small principality, which gradually expanded into the kingdom of Lesser Armenia or Armenia Minor. This Christian kingdom situated in the midst of Moslem states, hostile to the Byzantines, giving valuable support to the crusaders, and trading with the great commercial cities of Italy had a stormy existence of about 300 years. Gosdantin (1095-1100) assisted the crusaders on their march to Antioch, and was created knight and marquis. Thoros I (1100-1123), in alliance with the Christian princes of Syria, waged successful war against the Byzantines and Seljuk Turks. Levond II (1187-1219), extended the kingdom beyond Mount Taurus and established the capital at Sis. He assisted the crusaders, was crowned king by the archbishop of Mainz, and married one of the Lusignans of Cyprus. Haithon I (r. 1226-1270) made an alliance with the Mongols, who, before their adoption of Islam, protected his kingdom from the Mamelukes of Egypt. When Levond V died (1342), John of Lusignan was crowned king as Gosdantin IV; but he and his successors alienated the Armenians by attempting to make them conform to the Roman Church, and by giving all posts of honor to Latins, and at last the kingdom, a prey to internal dissensions, succumbed (1375) to the attacks of the Egyptian mamelukes. Cilicia Trachea was conquered by the Ottomans in the 15th century, but Cilicia Pedias remained independent until 1515. THE ARMY Caucasian Mountaineers When the Armenian Naxarars (lords) fled Armenia from the onslaught of the Seljuk turks, they bought their retinues and warriors with them. Caucasian mountaineers were one group of mercanaries that fought for the Armenians, for the promise of plunder. They are tough fighters, having lived in harsh mountain regions, however are not well equipped and will not stand up to more heavily armed troops. They are experts at hiding in various terrain types. Armenian Borderers The passes in the mountainous areas surrounding both the Armenian homelands as well as Armenian Cilicia are patrolled by these border gaurds. They can hide anywhere, and many a Turkish raid has been stopped before their targets by a well timed charged from the border gaurds, suprising and defeating them. Because ambushing was the best way to defeat the Turkish invaders, heavy equipment cannot be taken, and so these men should not be used for the front line of a battle, but for hiding and ambushing unwary opponents. Armenian Infantry The bulk of the Armenian army is made up with Armenian Infantry. When Armenia was governed by the Byzantines, large numbers were drafted into the Byzantine army, and many posts in Asia Minor were manned by Armenian troops. After the Byzantine defeat at Manzikert and Asia Minor subsequently being overrun by the Seljuk turks, the Armenian militia members left the byzantine army to return to their homelands, and to the new Armenian province of Silicia. Latin Auxilia When the crusaders first came into contact with the Armenians in Cilicia, they were pleased to have some friendly neighbours. After the crusaders were successful in capturing Jerusaleum, and the subsequent infighting between the states, many went on to act as Mercenaries to other Christian powers nearby, such as Armenia. Their amount was bolstered by large numbers of crusaders leaving the fourth crusade shortly after the capture of Constantinople. They are expensive to use, but have good experience from fighting a variety of enemies, and so can be relied upon in battle. Didebuls (Early) Didebuls were the minor land owning classes in Armenia, comparable to the feudal knights of Western Europe. They were responsible for security of the surrounding area, and so needed to be skilled with use of arms, favouring use of horses. Like many Armenians, they left their ravaged homelands and journeyed to Cilicia. They are spear armed cavalry, and have a fairly strong charge. Naxarar (Early) The Naxarar were the significant land owners of Armenia, like the feudal lords of Europe. They were administrators in peace time, and warriors in war time, fighting as a well equipped heavy cavalry unit. WARHORSES As a sort of bonus: a screenshot from our new heavy warhorses. Slightly heavier and stronger then the average horse, an excellent mount for the western knights. SIGNATURE BANNER OLDER PREVIEWS A list with links to the previous previews, in case you missed any: The Reconquista Historical Battles Campaignmap & Rebels Castles & Sieges Northern Europe The Byzantine Empire Member of The Lordz Games Studio: A new game development studio focusing on historical RTS games of the sword & musket era http://www.thelordzgamesstudio.com

~~Atheist Peace~~	October 17, 2005, 12:53 PM	#2
Indefinitely Banned Posts: 6,761 Total Awards: 1	Although not my favorite faction at all, the units look great and it only heightens my already very high excitement about the upcoming release. Nice work

shadepanther	October 17, 2005, 12:54 PM	#3
Ensign Posts: 1,153	nice preview. Amazing units "I reject your reality and substitute my own!" -- Adam Savage, Mythbusters

LordSaradain	October 17, 2005, 01:00 PM	#4
Ensign Posts: 1,160	Cool! new horses look great! (\__/) (O.o ) (> < ) This is Bunny. Copy Bunny into your signature to help him on his way to world domination! "attack the argument, not the person saying it" -lee1026 Sig by Manji

Uranos	October 17, 2005, 01:34 PM	#5
RTW Modder 2005-2009 Posts: 767 Total Awards: 2	I love variety so its grat that you have included Cilician Armenia, oh and units look great Mapper, unit card maker, 2D art and miscellaneous for: Rise of Persia Hegemonia City States Iberia Total War Arthurian: Total War Ancient Wars The Crusades Ran no Jidai Chivalry Total War Punic: Total War Europa Barbarorum Fourth Age: TW Res Gestae: Total War 300' Warlords of Sparta Viking Invasion II Paeninsula Italica Sicilia Ages of Darkness II

SigniferOne	October 17, 2005, 02:06 PM	#7
Captain General Posts: 9,271 Total Awards: 1	Adherbal, I have to say that you are slowly churning out a thing of beauty here, with your mod. Look how far you've gone! Congratulations Preface to a book from 1759: "The following Version of Tibullus was begun and completed several Years ago, when the Author was in the Army. A military Man, even in the most active Campaign, has many Hours of Leisure; and as these cannot be spent more rationally than in some literary Pursuit, he employed that Part of his Time, which was not devoted to his Profession, in perusing the Classics." MTW2 CLASSICAL MOD, ANIM PACK v0.1 \| RTW ANIM PACK v0.8, CITY OF ROME MULTI VIRI ET FEMINAE PHILOSOPHIAM ANTIQUAM CONSERVANT

The White Knight	October 17, 2005, 02:20 PM	#8
Non scholae sed vitae Posts: 4,369	Wooohoow... getting BI for this beauty. ^^ "Tempus edax rerum." Ovid, Metamorphoses Under the patronage of Virgil.

Holger Danske	October 17, 2005, 05:08 PM	#10
Jerk stole my beer! Posts: 10,421	Great review Adherbal.. Now I can't wait for the Crusader states (Jerusalem) and build my own Kingdom of heaven -- Chivalry is the ONLY reason for buying BI Jews killed the dinosaurs

John I Tzimisces	October 17, 2005, 05:17 PM	#11
Get born again. Posts: 10,336 Total Awards: 1	My cilician cousins in RI would be proud. "The impression is that history had no beginning in Armenia -- it has always existed...there is probably no village that was not, in days of old, the capital of an ancient state, no hill around which a decisive battle has not raged, no stone not moistened with blood, and no man to whom this is a matter of indifference." -Andrei Bitov IN PATRONICVM SVB TRIBUNUS PERHONORIFICVS SELEVCVS PATRONVM CELCVM QVO HARLANITE TIRIDATESQVE FRATER WE51EY2IS FVRI FRANCISQVE BLAVENISQVE ABSCESSVS TACTICALISQVE DARTH VONGISQVE *Once upon a time eXc\|Imperator*

the celt	October 17, 2005, 05:26 PM	#12
I'm super serial guys!! Posts: 2,756	I cant wait to play these guys! Stuck between two empires and all sorts of directions to expand! Not to mention the awsome units.

ColbytheConqueror	October 17, 2005, 06:00 PM	#13
Drummer and Fifer Posts: 125	Great Preveiw!!! I cant wait to try out these guys and kick some musilim ass!!!

Polemarch	October 18, 2005, 07:38 AM	#16
Chosen Man Posts: 205	Agreed. Though I really want my Byzantines to kick some Islam ass back and away from the great city :-)

dgoodman	October 18, 2005, 10:54 AM	#17
Chosen Man Posts: 180	well as long as its done well, the Islamic armies should be hard to stop.

Bello Gallicum	October 18, 2005, 11:00 AM	#18
Colour Sergeant Posts: 347	The cool thing about that mod is, that it not only shows the units and sides everyone whants to play, but also those that are not actually everyones favorid. And that with this incredible cool units. Can't wait. @Ahmos: Just wait until you can take your favorite nation and drive the british armys into the sea. Something I always liked to do in MTW. Ruhe in Frieden, Calvin.

{H0sPiTalLeR}	October 18, 2005, 11:41 AM	#20
Corporal Posts: 266	woooo hooooooo! Got my suggestion for the horses in!!! Well done Adherbal and crew!! look forward to the mod!!! "In the time of battle the loss of innocent life is inevatiable... thats just fate" - Gatts, the Black Swordsman

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