Sis (ancient city)

Sis (Template:Lang-hy) was the capital of the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia.

History

From 3000 BC onwards there were Hittite settlements in all these plains behind the Mediterranean coast, based on farming and grazing animals. The area then changed hands many times, eventually becoming Flavias or Flaviopolis in the former Roman province of Cilicia Secunda. The city was known by the names of Issos, Pindenissos. The names Sisan or Sisia are first mentioned in the fifth and sixth centuries in Greek and Latin sources. In AD 703 the city was conquered by Arabs. According to Arabic sources from the eighth century, Sis' population was mainly Armenian.

During Thoros I, Prince of Armenia's reign Armenian forces with the help of native Armenians conquered Sis. Thoros also established Drazark monastery, which later became Rubenid dynasty's mausoleum. In 1173 AD Mleh made Sis Cilician Armenia's capital. During the reigns of Leo II and Hethum II Sis was rebuilt and beautified with court palaces, temporal, religious buildings, gardens. Sis is well presented in the works of Villebrand, an Austrian ambassador in Sis from 1211 to 1212. There were many churches and monasteries in Sis. After Hromkla was conquered by Mamluks, Catholicos' residence became Sis. In 1266 Mamluks robbed and burnt the city. In 1275 Mamluks again surrounded the city, but were defeated by Armenian forces. After a century in 1369 Mamluks again conquered the city, but were forced to leave. In 1375 Mamluks took the city, robbed, burnt it, the king and many lords were captured. With Sis fallen fell also Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia.

Source: Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia

References

See also

• Kozan, Adana
• Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia