The Turco-Mongol Invasions and the Lords of Armenia in the 13 ...

their base in Azarbaijan, but returned in springtime to
crush the forces of the Saljuq sultan of Rum, Ghiyath
al-Din Kai Khusrau at Kose Dagh/Chmankatuk near Erzinjan . The
See A.G.Galstyan's Armenian article in PBH #1(1964) and
the English translation of it "The First Armeno-Mongol
Negotiations" in the Armenian Review vol. XXIX (1976)
pp. 26-37 thereafter fcAIflft.FAMN pp. 27-29? SEPHA pp.
110-11. BH p. 407 describes the battle of Chmankatuk, as
does Abu'1-Fida (Nalb. p. 234). Ibn Bibi describes the
defeat, and the subsequent "unfriendliness" of the Cilician
Armenians in surrendering the sultan's refugee mother to
the Mongols (Ibn Bibi pp. 222-37).
KG; "The sultan had left his usual place and had come to
that part of Armenia which was under his domination, hard
by a village called Sman-katuk.
"General Baiju, consistent with his deep knowledge,
divided his soldiers into many fronts, putting foremost
those under the brave commanders while the foreign troops
composed of various nationalities who had come with them
he divided so that they would not work any treachery"
(KG p. 282); Vardan Arewelc'l's account of the taking
of western Armenia is quite brief, mentioning neither
the Armeno-Georgian auxiliaries nor the tactisc used in
battle: "88. Now in the year 1243 Baiju-noyin replaced
the authority of Chormaghun and took the city of Karin,
taking thence Umek"7 a man venerable, wealthy (mecatun)
and fearful of the Lord, as well as his relations, the
sons of paron Yohann, Step'annos and his five brothers.
In 1244 [Baiju conquered] the whole territory of Rum
and the notable cities, first Caesarea, then Sebastia
[whose people] were spared destruction since they had
submitted early, then Erznka which was mercilessly destroyed
and enslaved, for it had resisted. CThe Mongols also
took] many lands and districts where especially the Armenian
people [were to] dwell in distree" (VA p. 147).
GA; "The commander of the army was Baiju-noyin. a man
successful in battle, achieving many victories wherever
he met realstera. But the causes of victory were the
Armenian and Georgian princes who were in the front lines
and launched themselves with a mighty blow against the
enemy. Then, after them, came the T at'ars, with bow
and arrow". Georgians were not only fighting on the.
Mongols' side. Aknerc'i notes that the son of Salue, who
had been with the sultan of Rum for a long time, fought
in the sultan's army. "When the battle waxed fierce, the
courageous and renowned son of Salue put to flight the
T'at'ars and killed many of them". Aknerc'i also praises
the fighting ability of Aibuia, son of Vahram, granson
of Plu Zak'are, fightiru- on the Mongols' aide. At nightfall
113