Selected illustrations from
Gospels copied by Toros Roslin,
known as Thoros Roslin, in 1262
or copied for the priest Toros, nephew of Catholicos Constantine I, by Roslin.

The T'oros Roslin (or Sebastia) Gospels
of Cilician Armenia

Walters Ms. W.539


Source The Digital Walters Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, USA


Referenced as figure 249 in The military technology of classical Islam by D Nicolle
249A to 249C. Manuscript, A - "Pursuit of the Apostles," B - "Crucifixion," C - "The Betrayal," Four Gospels, 1262 AD, Armenian, Walters Art Gallery, Ms. W. 538, ff. 116v and 191r, Baltimore (Ners A).
p174 Lamellar armour may also have been used in Byzantium in the pre-Islamic era39 (Figs. 90, 91 and 556) but its more widespread adoption after the 7th century clearly reflected Muslim military pressure40 (Figs. 212, 220A, 314, 630 and 637). A smaller but equally common kabadion lamellar cuirass was seen in Byzantium from the 10th century41 (Figs. 227, 242, 249, 314, 414 and 608). This could reflect the changing fashions of eastern Islam, where the lamellar kamaband may have been developed in the 10th century, or it could have been the Byzantine original that stimulated the adoption of this latter Iranian form of armour (Figs. 209, 241, 292, 294, 306, 347, 354, 376, 377, 385, 390, 392, 422, 446, 447 and 641).

39. Haldon, "Some Aspects of Byzantine Military Technology from the 6th to the 10th centuries," p. 20.
40. Ibid., pp. 25-26,29 and 46.
41. Ibid., p 36.



Other Armenian resources:
The Armenians By Steven Lowe
Armenians on Surb Khach Church of the Holy Cross, Akdamar Island, Van Province, Turkey, c.920
Manuscript Illustration of Iohannes, a 'Proximos' with the court rank of 'Protospathários'. Armenian Adrianople Gospel, c. 1007, Mechitarist Library, Venice.
Possibly an Armenian Infantryman in a Coptic Gospel, Damietta, Egypt, 1179-80
Crossing the Red Sea, f.4r, Armenian Patriarchate Library, Jerusalem, MS. No. 2027, Cilician Armenian, 1266AD
A Lectionary of Cilician Armenia, Matenadaran Collection MS979, 1286AD
Armenian Soldiers in Pseudo-Callisthenes’ History of Alexander the Great, c.1300–1325AD
An Armenian Gospels of Cilician Armenia, Matenadaran Collection MS7651, 1320AD
Relief of a Horse Archer from the Church of the Monastery of Spitakover, Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia, c.1321.

Other Illustrations of 13th century Costume & Soldiers
Index of Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers