Toros II’s Generalship and Its Impact on Armenian–Byzantine Relations

One of the most decisive moments in the evolution of relations between the Byzantine Empire and the Armenian principality of the Rubenids in Cilicia was undoubtedly Emperor Manuel I Komnenos’ campaign in Cilicia and Syria in 1158–1159. As attested by the sources, the outcome of this expedition was the formal recognition of Byzantine suzerainty by Toros II. The decision of the Rubenid ruler to submit to the Byzantine emperor, given the overwhelming superiority of the imperial forces, may be regarded as entirely predictable. Far less self-evident, however, was Manuel’s decision not only to pardon Toros II despite the considerable difficulties he had previously caused the imperial army, but also to incorporate him into the imperial administration of the region. The present paper seeks to examine the political and strategic considerations that led Manuel I to depart from the policy pursued by his father, John II Komnenos, with regard to Cilicia. Particular attention will be devoted to assessing the extent to which Toros II’s distinguished record of military successes, achieved both against Byzantine forces and against his other adversaries, may have influenced the emperor’s conciliatory stance and the subsequent reconfiguration of Byzantine–Armenian relations.