The Rise and Fall of the Kingdom of Cilician Armenia

Located outside of historic Armenia, the Kingdom of Cilicia (1198-1375), was the only Christian kingdom to survive for another hundred years in the Levant, after the Crusaders lost Jerusalem to the Muslims. In this WebTalk, Professor Claude Mutafian recounts the improbable birth of this Armenian kingdom on the Mediterranean and the fortuitous events that allowed it to flourish as a center of trade and exchange between the East and the West. He also highlights Cilicia's cultural and marital ties with the Crusaders, most notably the Franks, whose influence can be found in Armenian culture to this day.

Originally published January 2024.

About the speaker

Claude Mutafian

Professor of mathematics, Claude Mutafian taught at Paris XIII University and published a series of algebra textbooks before devoting himself, since 1980, to the study of the Near East. He has organized several international exhibitions, starting with "The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia" at the Sorbonne Chapel in 1993. He is the author of numerous books and articles, particularly on Armenian history and culture.

Claude Mutafian