Leo I, Prince of Armenia facts for kids

Leo I (also known as Levon I or Leon I) was an important leader of Armenian Cilicia. He was the fifth lord of this region, ruling from about 1129 to 1137. His Armenian name was Armenian: Լևոն Ա. He was born around 1080 and passed away in Constantinople on February 14, 1140.

Leo was very clever at using the disagreements between the Byzantine Empire and the Crusader states. These states included the County of Edessa and the Principality of Antioch. He often gained advantages when the Byzantine Empire was busy fighting Zengi, a powerful ruler from Mosul. He also benefited when the Frankish rulers in Antioch were not strong.

He managed to expand his territory greatly. His rule reached across the Cilician plains all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. During his time, the relationship between the Armenians and the Franks (Crusaders) became difficult. They used to be allies, but they often argued over who owned certain forts and coastal areas.

Sadly, Leo was captured by the Byzantine Emperor John II Comnenus. The Emperor invited Leo to a meeting, promising peace, but it was a trick. Leo and two of his sons were taken prisoner and sent to Constantinople. Leo died there a short time later.

Early Life of Leo I

Leo was the younger son of Constantine I, who was also a lord of Armenian Cilicia. It is believed his mother was a great-granddaughter of a person named Bardas Phokas the Elder.

When his father, Constantine I, died, Leo's older brother Thoros I became the new ruler. Leo might have governed the eastern mountain areas while his brother was alive. Around 1100 to 1103, Count Baldwin II of Edessa gave his sister in marriage to Leo. However, her exact name and family background are not fully known. Some think she might have been Baldwin II's sister-in-law, a daughter of Gabriel of Melitene.

In 1111, the Turks from Iconium entered Armenian lands. Two of Leo's brother's commanders were killed in a battle. Leo was very upset by this loss. He bravely attacked the Turks and forced them to retreat. In 1118, Leo helped Prince Roger of Antioch during the siege of Azaz in Syria.

/Leo/ invited many famous warriors to join him, and allured them by great rewards. Forward in battle, he prepared himself, and often fought against the foreigners or infidels, took their forts and put all the inhabitants to the sword. He was the admiration of warriors, and the fear of foreigners or infidels, so that they called him the new Ashtahag.

—Vahram of Edessa: The Rhymed Chronicle of Armenia Minor

Leo's Time as Ruler

A map showing Armenian Cilicia and the Levant in 1135 CE.

Thoros I died in 1129 or 1130. His son, Constantine II, died a few months later due to an unexpected event in the palace. Some historians believe that Thoros I had no male heir, and Leo became ruler directly after him.

Conflicts with the Franks

In February 1130, Bohemond II, Prince of Antioch, wanted to take back Anazarbus. This town used to belong to Antioch but was taken by Thoros I. Bohemond II marched with a small army towards Anazarbus. Leo was worried and asked for help from the Danishmend ruler, Ghazi. As Bohemond II moved forward, the Danishmend Turks attacked him and destroyed his army. However, the Byzantines stepped in, stopping the Turks from continuing their attack. Anazarbus remained in Armenian hands.

Soon after Bohemond II died, Leo made an alliance with the Danishmend ruler. This allowed him to move into the plains. After a short, unsuccessful attempt to capture Seleucia, he took control of three important cities in 1131: Mamistra, Tarsus, and Adana. In 1133, Leo captured Sarventikar from Baldwin of Marash. But Armenian control over Cilicia was not always strong. Bandits and pirates were common in the area.

In 1136, the new prince of Antioch, Raymond I, decided to take back Cilicia. With the support of King Fulk of Jerusalem, he marched with Baldwin of Marash against Leo. But Leo, with help from his nephew, Count Joscelin II of Edessa, pushed back the Antiochene army. Leo, feeling victorious, agreed to meet Baldwin of Marash. However, Baldwin tricked him, captured him, and sent him to prison in Antioch.

While Leo was away, his three sons argued. The oldest son, Constantine, was eventually captured and blinded by his brothers. Meanwhile, the Danishmend ruler, Mohammed II ibn Ghazi, invaded Cilicia and destroyed the crops. Because of these problems, Leo agreed to give up the Cilician cities (Sarventikar, Mamistra, and Adana) to Raymond I to gain his freedom. He also paid 60,000 gold pieces and gave his son as a hostage. But when he returned home, he did not keep his promise. A small war started again until early 1137. Joscelin II helped arrange a truce (a temporary peace agreement) between them. They then formed an alliance against Emperor John II Comnenus, who was trying to claim Antioch and Cilicia.

Byzantine Takeover of Cilicia

In the spring of 1137, the Byzantine army, led by the Emperor and his sons, gathered at Attalia (now Antalya in Turkey). They marched eastward into Cilicia. Leo tried to stop them by taking the Byzantine border fort of Seleucia, but he had to retreat. The Emperor continued his advance, passing Mersin, Tarsus, Adana, and Mamistra. All these cities quickly surrendered to him.

Leo hoped that the strong defenses of Anazarbus would stop the Byzantines. Its soldiers fought for 37 days, but the Byzantine siege engines broke down its walls, and the city had to surrender. Leo retreated into the high Taurus Mountains. The Emperor then led his forces south into the plain of Antioch.

After the Emperor showed his power over the Principality of Antioch, he returned to Cilicia to finish conquering it. Leo's family castle of Vahka (now Feke in Turkey) held out for several weeks. Eventually, Emperor John invited Leo to a meeting, again promising peace. But it was another trick, and Leo was captured. Leo and two of his sons, Roupen and Thoros, were taken prisoner.

His Last Years in Exile

Leo and his two sons were sent to prison in Constantinople. However, they were soon allowed to live at the court under watch. Emperor John treated Leo with more respect, and they would often eat together and go hunting. Sadly, Leo's son Roupen was later killed by Byzantine nobles who were jealous of his strength.

Leo died in Constantinople.

Family and Children

The name and background of Leo's wife are not fully known. Some historians suggest she might have been a daughter of Count Hugh I, Count of Rethel, or a daughter of Gabriel of Melitene.

Leo had several children:

• An unnamed daughter, who married a Frankish knight from Antioch. She was the mother of Thomas.
• An unnamed daughter, who married Vasil Dgha.
• Constantine (died between 1138 and 1144 in Edessa).
• Thoros II of Cilicia (died February 6, 1169).
• Stephen (born before 1110, died February 7, 1165).
• Mleh I of Cilicia (born before 1120, died May 15, 1175, in Sis).
• Roupen (born after 1120, died 1141 in Constantinople).

See also

In Spanish: León I (señor de Armenia) para niños