Leo I, Prince of Armenia

Leo I , also Levon I or Leon I, (unknown – Constantinople, February 14, 1140) was the fifth lord of Armenian Cilicia

Leo was captured after being invited to a meeting by the Byzantine Emperor John II Comnenus, who had sworn a false promise of peace.

Early life Leo's father was Constantine I, lord of Armenian Cilicia.

After the death of Constantine I, Leo's brother Thoros I became the ruler.

Rule

Other authors (e.g., Jacob G. Ghazarian, Vahan M. Kurkjian) suggest that Thoros I was directly succeeded by Leo.

The (re-)occupation of Cilicia by the Byzantines Eventually, John invited Leo to a meeting under a false promise of peace, where the prince was captured. Leo and two of his sons, Roupen and Thoros, were subsequently taken prisoner.

Last years in exile Leo and his two sons were sent to prison in Constantinople. They were soon allowed to live in the court under surveillance and John acted more honorably towards Leo, with the two dining and going on hunting parties together. Leo's son Roupen was later murdered by Byzantine grandees that were envious of his strength.

Leo died in Constantinople.

Marriage and children Orderic Vitalis states that Leo was "uncle to the wife of Bohemond II of Antioch". On this basis, some authors have proposed that Leo's wife was the daughter of Hugh I of Rethel or Gabriel of Melitene. (?) unnamed daughter, who was the wife of a “Frankish knight from Antioch”, and mother of the Regent Thomas unnamed daughter, the wife of Vasil Dgha (?) Constantine (? – Edessa, 1138/1144) Thoros II of Cilicia (? – February 6, 1169) Stephen (before 1110 – February 7, 1165) Mleh I of Cilicia (before 1120 – Sis, May 15, 1175) Roupen (after 1120 – Constantinople, 1141)

Footnotes