Constantine II, King of Armenia

Constantine II, known in Armenian as Կոստանդին Բ, and sometimes referred to as Constantine IV in various historical accounts, held the throne of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia for a brief yet significant period. Born as Guy de Lusignan, he represented a pivotal shift in the leadership of this beleaguered Christian realm. His election in 1342 marked him as the first monarch from the Poitiers-Lusignan dynasty to rule Cilician Armenia, a reign that lasted until his death on 17 April 1344.

The Lusignan Legacy and the Call to Cilicia

Guy de Lusignan hailed from a prominent Crusader family whose roots traced back to Poitou, France. The Lusignan dynasty had, for centuries, played a crucial role in the Latin East, most notably establishing and ruling the Kingdom of Cyprus and, for a time, the Kingdom of Jerusalem. This lineage bestowed upon Guy a strong claim to Western European connections and potential military support, which was desperately sought by the embattled Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia.

Armenian Cilicia: A Kingdom Under Siege

By the 14th century, the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, situated strategically on the northeastern shores of the Mediterranean, faced formidable challenges. As a Christian enclave surrounded by powerful Muslim states such as the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt and various Turkish emirates, its very survival was precarious. The Armenian nobility frequently looked to Western Europe for alliances, military aid, and even royal leadership to bolster their defenses and ensure the kingdom's continuity. The previous ruling dynasties, the Rubenids and Hethumids, had seen their power wane, and the search for a strong leader with Western ties became paramount.

The Election of Guy de Lusignan as King Constantine II

The political climate of Cilician Armenia in the early 1340s was complex. Following the death of King Leo IV (who was also a Lusignan, Guy's cousin), the Armenian high nobility, grappling with internal strife and external threats, made the momentous decision to elect a new king from the Lusignan line. Guy de Lusignan, having a familial connection through his mother, Zabel of Armenia (sister of King Oshin), emerged as a viable candidate. His election in 1342 was driven by the hope that his Western heritage would secure renewed Crusader aid and stronger economic and military ties with Europe, particularly with his powerful relatives in Cyprus. Upon his ascension, Guy adopted the traditional Armenian regnal name of Constantine II, a gesture intended to bridge his foreign origins with the venerable Armenian royal legacy.

A Brief and Challenging Reign

Constantine II's reign, though short, was fraught with difficulties. He inherited a kingdom in crisis, plagued by constant Mamluk incursions and internal divisions. His "Latin" background and efforts to introduce Western customs and religious practices often clashed with the established traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the native nobility. This cultural and political friction, combined with the lack of substantial, sustained Western European military aid that had been hoped for, made his position highly tenuous. His attempts at reform and consolidation were met with resistance, and the external pressures remained relentless. He passed away on 17 April 1344, leaving the kingdom in a precarious state and marking the end of his two-year rule.

FAQs About Constantine II (Guy de Lusignan)

Who was Constantine II of Armenia?
Constantine II, born Guy de Lusignan, was the first Latin King of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia from the Poitiers-Lusignan dynasty, ruling from 1342 until his death in 1344.
What was his original name?
His birth name was Guy de Lusignan.
Why was he called "Constantine II" but sometimes "Constantine IV"?
Upon ascending the throne, Guy de Lusignan adopted the traditional Armenian regnal name Constantine II (Կոստանդին Բ). The reference to Constantine IV sometimes appears in historical texts due to varying numbering conventions for Armenian monarchs across different historical traditions and scholarly interpretations.
Which dynasty did he belong to?
He belonged to the Poitiers-Lusignan dynasty, a prominent Crusader family with origins in France, which also ruled the Kingdom of Cyprus and, for a time, the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
What was the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia?
The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia was a medieval Armenian state located on the southeastern coast of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). It served as an independent Christian kingdom and a vital ally for European Crusaders for several centuries before its eventual fall.
Why was a "Latin King" chosen for Armenian Cilicia?
A Latin King was chosen primarily to strengthen the kingdom's ties with Western Europe and secure much-needed military and financial aid against overwhelming external threats from the Mamluks, Mongols, and Turks. The Lusignan lineage was particularly appealing due to its established influence and power in the Crusader states.
How long did Constantine II rule?
He ruled for approximately two years, from his election in 1342 until his death on 17 April 1344.
What challenges did he face during his reign?
Constantine II faced immense challenges, including constant military pressure from neighboring Muslim powers (especially the Mamluks), internal political dissent from the Armenian nobility, and cultural clashes arising from his attempts to introduce Western customs and religious practices to a traditionally Armenian Apostolic kingdom.