Cilicia: The Land Of Lions

About Cilicia

Armenia, located in the North of Asia, is a country with a rich history. It was the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion. Capital of Armenia - Yerevan is older than Rome for 29 years. According to the Holy Bible, Noah’s Ark has landed here, on the highest top of Armenian highland - Mount Ararat. Centuries ago, Armenia, named “From sea to sea,” was expanding from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black and Caspian seas. In the history of Armenia and the region, Cilicia has played a vital role. The incredible history of the latter became an inspiration for creating the mood reel trilogy.

Cilicia, situated in Western Asia, the Middle East, was extending along the Northeast coast of the Mediterranean Sea. From other lands located to the North, Cilicia is pierced by narrow gorges, the most famous of which in antiquity was called the Cilician Gates. Vast area was mainly populated by Armenians. Till these days the area of former Cilicia is considered to be a prosperous land. It was the second state established by Armenians while collateral to the first one: a remarkable fact in the history of humanity. Currently, Cilicia is located in the district of Turkey - Adana, Mersin and Osmaniye provinces.

After years and number of battles, the Princedom of Cilicia was liberated from Byzantine rule. In the late 12^th century, Cilicia was proclaimed as a Kingdom and lasted until year 1375. During its three-century turbulent history, it was reigned by the three dynasties - Rubenids, Hetoumids and Lusignans. Nine princes and seventeen kings and queens have stood through numerous invasions and have left their mark in the Middle Age history.

“Cilicia: The Land of Lions” mood reel trilogy presents a crucially important period not only in Armenian but also in the International history, as Cilicia was an international hub, played a significant role in the political situation of that period and economic development of the district.

Each 5-minute mood reel presents a 100-year history, starting from the foundation of a Princedom, the development and the rise of Cilicia, its transition to a Kingdom and the fall.

THIS PROJECT WAS INITIATED BY THE

KHATCHADOURIAN FAMILY AND KOHAR

WITH THE INVALUABLE BENEVOLENCE OF

HAROUT KHATCHADOURIAN

TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PRESERVATION AND DISSEMINATION OF THE GLORIOUS HISTORY OF THE PROUD ARMENIAN KINGDOM OF CILICIA

FILMMAKERS

DIRECTED BY

ASHOT ARAKELYAN

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

HAROUT KHATCHADOURIAN

PRODUCERS

SEVAG SEROPIAN

ASHOT ARAKELYAN

CO-PRODUCER

SARO SEROPIAN

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

ARTUR USTYAN

MUSIC BY

ANDRANIK BERBERYAN

IDEA BY

SEVAG SEROPIAN

CREATED BY

ASHOT ARAKELYAN

HISTORICAL CONSULTANT

ZOHRAB GEVORGYAN

CASTING MANAGER

ANDRANIK HARUTYUNYAN

LOCATION MANAGER

NIKOLAY HOVHANNISYAN

PRODUCTION MANAGER

SEROB AVAGYAN

COSTUME DESIGNER

RUZANNA VARDANYAN

DECORATOR

NAHAPET SARGSYAN

MAKE-UP ARTIST

ZARINA KARAKHANOVA

CAST

part I

LEVON I

KING LEVON I

ROFFI PETROSSIAN

PRINCE THOROS II

KARO PILIPOSYAN

PRINCE LEVON I

MICHAEL ALEKSANYAN

RUBEN

HAYK GALSTYAN

PRINCE THOROS II’S FRIEND

KRIS MKRTUNI

SIBYLLE

SARA TILKIAN

PRINCESS ZABEL I

SOFA DALLAKYAN

ANDRONIKOS KOMNENOS

VAHAGN MAMYAN

ADAM D’GASTON

HOVHANNES MUSHEGHYAN

RICHARD THE LIONHEART

NAREG KALAYJIAN

REPRESENTATIVE OF POPE INNOCENT III

GRIGOR HAKOBYAN

GREGORY VI OF CILICIA

ARAYIK HAKOBYAN

IZZ AD-DIN KAY KA'US II

BAGRAT GASOYAN

APOSTOLIC DELEGATE

ALBERT MELKONYAN

part II

HETOUM I

QUEEN ZABEL I

RUZAN VIT MESROPYAN

CONSTANTINE OF BABERON

ARTSRUN SEDRAKYAN

PHILIP OF ANTIOCH

ASHOT KORGANYAN

YOUNG KING HETOUM I

KAREN GASPARYAN

OLD KING HETOUM I

HAKOB KHALATYAN

KING LEVON III

DANNIEL ROUMIAN

QUEEN KERAN

MARINE KHACHATRYAN

ALAEDDIN KEYKUBAD

ASHOT VOSKANYAN

MÖNGKE KHAN

SHOKI YOKOYAMA

PRIEST No.1

ASHOT STEPANYAN

PRIEST No.2

ARTASHES SHAHVERDYAN

CLERGY

RAFIK GRIGORYAN

part III

LEVON V

YOUNG KING LEVON III

DANNIEL ROUMIAN

OLD KING LEVON III

AZAT GASPARYAN

YOUNG QUEEN KERAN

MARINE KHACHATRYAN

OLD QUEEN KERAN

SATIK STEPANYAN

TOROS ROSLIN

GRIGOR GABRIELYAN

MARCO POLO

VAHAN SARHATYAN

QUEEN MARION

NORA BADALYAN

KING LEVON V

DEVON YAGIAN

LEADER OF SULTANATE OF RUM

ARA BAGHDASARYAN

CHARLES VI

AMIRAN GALSTYAN

EDITOR

ASHOT MKRTCHYAN

VISUAL EFFECTS SUPERVISOR

NAREK PALYAN

CG SUPERVISOR

RAFIK GEVORGYAN

SOUND DESIGN

TIGRAN KUZIKYAN

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LOREM IPSUM DOLOR

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part.1

SYNOPSIS

Levon I

The first mood reel is presenting the history of Cilicia from its foundation in the 11th century to the rule of one of the greatest Armenian royals - King Levon the Rubenid.

The history of Cilicia roots back to the 11th century. As a result of Seljuk Turks’ invasions, started the exodus of Armenians migrating westward into the Byzantine Empire. In 1080 wanderings of Prince Ruben ended. He found a small Princedom in the heart of Cilician Taurus: A Princedom that will expand, be liberated from tyranny, take part in the Crusades, and be proclaimed as the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in the first century of its existence.

The mood reel starts with the reign of Prince Thoros II, who freed Cilicia from Byzantine rule. Thoros, coming from the Rubenid’s dynasty, was young when he and his family members were taken captive and were imprisoned in Constantinople. After six years of captivity, the murder of his elder brother, and the death of his father he managed to escape. By returning to his motherland, he recovered the statehood of weakened Cilicia. Full of anger and hunger for revenge Thoros II, in cooperation with Raynald of Chatillon, invaded and plundered Cyprus.

The mood reel is mainly focusing on Prince Levon II, who after coronation became King Levon I and was also coming from the Rubenid’s dynasty. The tenth lord of Armenian Cilicia, also known as “Lord of the mountains,” Levon the Rubenid succeeded in establishing a powerful and unified Christian state and became the first king in the history of Cilicia.

As a Christian state, surrounded by Muslims hostile to its existence, Cilicia gave valuable support to the Crusaders. Prince Levon II, being a skilled warrior and a talented strategist, defeated an armada that was the triple of his own. Later on, Levon’s accession to the throne as a monarch became a start of a new era of ecclesiastical cooperation with the West. Two crowns were sent for his coronation - the first one from Byzantine Emperor Alexios II Angelos and the second - from Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI.

At that period Cilicia had political and trading relations with developed commercial cities such as Venice, Genova, Firenze, etc. Construction in the Kingdom was advancing rapidly.

The mood reel calls attention to King Levon I’s marriage to Sibylle, who was the daughter of King Amalric I of Cyprus. King Levon I had numerous side relationships and had fathered children with other women. Sibylle put all her efforts to protect their daughter’s rights as a successor: Levon I’s and Sibylle’s daughter Zabel became the next reign and one of the fatal figures in the Armenian history.

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part.2

SYNOPSiS

Hetoum I

King Levon I’s successor was his daughter Queen Zabel I, who was a notable figure in the Armenian history and had a great investment in the development of the Kingdom of Cilicia. At the same time, she is known for her dramatic personal life. She was the only heir of the throne and was a subject of interest to many nobles. As a result, she appeared in the middle of numerous court conspiracies.

Queen Zabel I was married to Philip of Antioch, but the marriage did not last long: Philip was rumored to have an intention of passing the throne to Antioch (now Turkey) and was murdered. On the death of her husband, Zabel decided to embrace monastic life and fled to the Seleucia Castle.

King Levon I has appointed Constantine of Baberon to be his daughter’s regent after his death. The latter was concerned about keeping the crown in the hands of an Armenian dynasty. In the conspiracy against Zabel’s husband Philip, Constantine was a focal figure. Years later he forced Zabel into marriage with his son Hetoum, who was subsequently crowned as King Hetoum I. The wedding ceremony was held in privacy. Zabel was older than Hetoum. Queen’s regent considered this marriage to be beneficial for the Kingdom.

With this marriage, Rubenid dynasty changed to Hetoumid, named after King Hetoum I. Hetoum I was a major player in the political struggles and shifted alliances around the Crusader states. With his diplomatic approach, he came to a peaceful solution in numerous conflicts. One of the most focal points in the history was the rapid spreading of the Mongol Empire in the district, which became a concern for the region. As they were approaching borders of Cilicia, King Hetoum’s strategic approach prevented the possible war. Later on, Hetoum traveled to Karakorum (Mongolia) and visited Mongke Khan for signing a peace agreement.

Since 1269 till his last days, King Hetoum lived in a monastery as a monk: he abdicated in favor of his son Levon, who was one of the royal couples’ six children and the next King of Cilicia.

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part.3

SYNOPSIS

Levon V

One of the historical highlights in the mood reel is the arrival of Marco Polo to Cilicia. The Italian explorer and writer was amazed by the prosperity and economic development of the Kingdom. In his memoirs he wrote about Cilicia: “This is a great country. The people of the country are Armenians… The country is indeed a great passing one… There was a city called Layas situated ashore. It was a city of trade – all goods from the East (gold, silk, spices) passed through this city, where merchants from different countries came together.” And indeed, in that period, Cilicia was in an economic growth. The cultural life of Cilicia, with the support of King Levon II and his family, was flourishing. A key person in cultural awakening was Toros Roslin - the most prominent Armenian manuscript illuminator in the Middle Ages. The famous portrait of King Levon II, his wife Queen Keran and their five children is one of the most outstanding works of Toros.

Being a developed unit in the district, Cilicia continued to stay an apple of discord. The Kingdom was bordering Muslim countries from all four sides and was continuously persecuted by those.

The last king of the Cilician Kingdom was Levon V Lusignan. He was crowned in 1374. Before Levon’s coronation, the ruler of the Kingdom was Queen Marion. Understanding that Cilicia needs to have a strong monarch, she asked Levon V to return to his homeland and stand for his legal right to inherit the throne. The latter, on his turn, left his unconcerned life in France and moved to Cilicia.

Levon V had numerous international connections: Ambassadors of all the powerful states of that period were present during the coronation of the new King of Cilicia. During Levon’s reign, the European influence on Cilician culture was considerable. Notable guests from European countries were visiting Cilicia on a regular basis. At the same time, the political situation in the region continued to be tense and the great Kingdom gradually lost its immense power. After several fierce battles against superior Mamluk forces, the Kingdom fell. Till the very end of the defense, King Levon V stayed in the capital of Cilicia - Sis. He and his family were captivated by the enemies. Later, with the mediation of Pedro IV of Aragon, Levon V was freed and moved to Europe. He never recovered his throne. Levon V died in Paris on November 29, 1393, and was buried among French monarchs in Saint-Denis, Paris.

Cilicia was a powerful Kingdom. No army, regardless of its large number of warriors or strength in weapons, was able to penetrate the walls of the Cilician fortress for centuries. But nothing lasts forever. After three centuries of breathtaking history, the Kingdom fell.

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1896

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GALLERY

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PRINCE THOROS II

Prince Thoros II was the 6th Prince of Cilicia coming from the Rubenid’s dynasty. In 1137 Thoros and his family were taken captive and imprisoned in Constantinople. After six years of captivity, the murder of his elder brother, and the death of his father he managed to escape. By returning to his motherland, he recovered the statehood of weakened Cilicia. In history, he left his mark as the Prince who freed Cilicia from the reign of the Byzantine Empire.

KING LEVON I

King Levon I was coming from Rubenid’s dynasty. The 10th Prince of Cilicia, also known as “Lord of the mountains,” Prince Levon II succeeded in establishing a powerful and unified Christian state. He gave valuable support to the Crusades and became the first King in the history of Cilicia. He was coronated as King Levon I. His accession to the throne as a monarch became a start of new era of ecclesiastical cooperation with the West.

SYBILLE

Sybille was King Levon I’s wife and was the daughter of King Amalric I of Cyprus. She marks as a strong woman, who defeated the rights of her child to inherit the throne of Cilicia. Her daughter with King Levon I - Zabel became the next ruler of Cilicia and one of the fatal figures in Armenian history.

PHILIP OF ANTIOCH

Philip was one of the younger sons of Bohemund IV - the ruler of Principality of Antioch (now Turkey). A member of the House of Poitiers, he was married to Princess Zabel I, who subsequently, after her father’s death, became the Queen of Cilicia. Philip was rumored to have an intention of passing the throne to Antioch. This fact was unacceptable for Armenian novelty. As a result, Philip appeared in the middle of a court conspiracy and was killed.

QUEEN ZABEL I

Queen Zabel I, being a notable figure in Armenian history, had a significant investment in the development of her Kingdom. Still, she is mainly known for her dramatic personal life. As the only heir, she was a subject of interest to many nobles. She was married twice. First marriage didn’t last long: her husband Philip of Antioch was killed as a result of court conspiracies. Zabel embraced monastic life and fled to Seleucia Castle, but years later she was forced into marriage with her regent’s son Hetoum. The latter, after their marriage, was coronated as King Hetoum I and became the founder of the Hetoumid dynasty.

CONSTANTINE OF BABERON

Constantine of Baberon was a powerful Armenian noble from Hetoumid dynasty. King Levon I has appointed Constantine of Baberon to be his daughter’s regent after his death. He played a crucial role in Zabel’s life: For keeping the crown in the hands of Armenian novelty, he arranged dismissal of Zabel’s first husband and forced her into marriage with his son Hetoum. Subsequently, Hetoum was crowned and became the next king of Cilicia and the founder of Hetoumid’s dynasty.

KING HETOUM I

Hetoum I, King of Cilicia, founder of Hetoumid’s dynasty and Queen Zabel I’s husband, was a major player in political struggles and has shifted alliances around the Crusader states. With his diplomatic approach, he came to a peaceful solution in numerous conflicts. One of his most significant diplomatic achievements was preventing possible war with the strong Mongol army and signing a peace agreement with the emperor of the Mongol Empire Mongke Khan. Hetoum and Zabel had six children. Since 1269 till his last days, Hetoum I lived in a monastery as a monk: he abdicated in favor of his son Levon III - the next King of Cilicia.

KING LEVON II

Levon II was the eldest son of King Hetoum I and Queen Zabel I. He was crowned in 1269 after his father King Hetoum I’s abdication in his favor. King Levon the Hetoumid pursued active commercial relations with developed European countries, renewed trade agreements with Italian partners and established new ones with Catalans. He and his family gave valuable support to the cultural awakening of Cilicia. King Levon II and his wife Queen Keran, together with their five children are portrayed on the most famous painting of the prominent manuscript illuminator in the Middle Ages - Toros Roslin.

TOROS ROSLIN

The most prominent Armenian manuscript illuminator in the Middle Ages lived in the 13th century in Cilicia. Toros Roslin enriched Armenian manuscript painting by introducing new artistic themes and revived the genre of royal portraits (the first Cilician royal portraits were found in his manuscripts). He worked at the scriptorium of Hromkla in the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. His patrons included King Hetoum I and Queen Zabel I, also their children - King Levon II in particular. At that period, cultural life of Cilicia was flourishing.

KING LEVON V

Levon V Lusignan, the last King of Cilicia, ruled only one year - from 1374 to 1375. He lived in France when the Queen of Cilicia Marion asked him to return to his homeland and stand for the throne. He left his unconcerned life and moved to Cilicia. Levon V had numerous international connections; thus the influence of European culture and lifestyle on Cilicia was noticeable. During his reign, the political situation in the region continued to be tense and the great Kingdom gradually lost its immense power. After several fierce battles against superior Mamluk forces, the Kingdom fell. Till the very end of the defense, King Levon V stayed in the capital of Cilicia - Sis. He and his family were captivated by the enemies. Later, Levon V was freed with the mediation of Pedro IV of Aragon and moved to Europe. He never recovered his throne and died in Paris on November 29, 1393. King Levon V was buried among French monarchs in Saint-Denis, Paris.

MARCO POLO

Marco Polo is a well-known figure in history: he was an Italian merchant, explorer, and writer. On his way to exploring Asia, Marco Polo has visited Cilicia and was amazed by prosperity, economic and cultural development of the Kingdom. In his memoirs he wrote about Cilicia: “This is a great country. The people of the country are Armenians… The country is indeed a great passing one… There was a city called Layas situated ashore. It was a city of trade – all goods from the East (gold, silk, spices) passed through this city, where merchants from different countries came together”.

MONGKE KHAN

Mongke Khan was the fourth khan of the Mongol Empire and ruled during the mid-13th century. He made significant reforms in the Mongol Empire and left his mark as one of the most powerful Mongol emperors. During Mongke Khan’s reign, the rapidly spreading Mongol Empire was reaching the borders of the Kingdom of Cilicia. The diplomatic approach of King Hetoum I, who was then the King of Cilicia, prevented the possible war between the two powerful armies. Later on, Hetoum traveled to Karakorum (Mongolia) and, together with Mongke Khan, they signed a peace agreement.

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The Epic Story of The Glorious Kingdom

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part. 1

Levon I

The first mood reel is an introduction to the first chapter (1080-1198) of the three-century-old breathtaking history of Cilicia, starting from the foundation of a Princedom in the 11th century to the rule of one of the greatest Armenian royals – King Levon the Rubenid. The mood reel refers to the period, when Cilicia was under the reign of Byzantine Empire and tells about the liberation of the Princedom, its participation in the Crusades, the transition from a Princedom to the Kingdom of Cilicia, and about all the figures standing behind these breathtaking events.

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part. 2

Hetoum I

In the 13th century, behind the scene of the Kingdom’s development period, the court conspiracies were on their edge. The mood reel refers to not only the historical facts but also gives an insight into the relationship among the nobles, their conflicts, and persecuted purposes. The story revolves around three main characters – King Levon I’s daughter Queen Zabel I, her regent Constantine of Baberon, and the regent’s son and Zabel’s husband – King Hetoum I, with whose coronation Rubenid dynasty changed to Hetoumid.

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part. 3

Levon V

The third mood reel presents 1219-1375 period: The time, when Cilicia, as a developed Kingdom, had numerous cultural and diplomatic relations with Europe. As a result of envy, the Kingdom, bordering Muslim countries from all the four sides, continued to be an apple of discord. Political situation weakened, and the great Kingdom of Cilicia gradually lost its immense power. The last of several fierce battles against superior Mamluk forces was fatal: The Kingdom fell. The mood reel’s main characters are the heir of King Hetoum I and Queen Zabel I – King Levon II, and the last king of Cilicia – Levon V Lusignan.

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CONTACT

About Cilicia

FILMMAKERS

CAST

LOREM IPSUM DOLOR

CONSECTETUR, ADIPISCING VELIT MAGNAa

CONSECTETUR, ADIPISCING VELIT MAGNA

SYNOPSIS

Levon I

SYNOPSiS

Hetoum I

SYNOPSIS

Levon V

UT PERSCIPIATIS UNDE

CONSECTETUR, ADIPISCING VELIT MAGNA

CONSECTETUR, ADIPISCING VELIT MAGNA

GALLERY

PRINCE THOROS II

KING LEVON I

SYBILLE

PHILIP OF ANTIOCH

QUEEN ZABEL I

CONSTANTINE OF BABERON

KING HETOUM I

KING LEVON II

TOROS ROSLIN

KING LEVON V

MARCO POLO

MONGKE KHAN

Levon I

Hetoum I

Levon V