Leo III of Armenia facts for kids

Leo III (also known as Leon III) was a young king of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. He was born in 1289 and ruled from about 1303 or 1305 until 1307. He ruled alongside his uncle, Hethum II.

Leo was part of the House of Hethum. His father was Thoros III of Armenia, and his mother was Margaret of Lusignan. Margaret was the daughter of King Hugh III of Cyprus.

Becoming King of Armenia

In 1303, Leo was still very young when he became King of Armenia. His uncle, Hethum II, decided to step down as king. Hethum then became Leo's regent, which meant he helped Leo rule because Leo was a minor.

The Armenian Kingdom was in a difficult situation at this time. It was like a smaller country that had to follow the rules of the powerful Mongol Empire. The kingdom also had to defend itself from attacks by the Mamluks from the south.

The throne of Armenia had changed hands many times before Leo became king. His uncle Hethum II was king in 1295. Then, Leo's father, Thoros III, became king in 1296. But another uncle, Sempad, took the throne from Thoros. Then Sempad's brother, Constantine III of Armenia, took the throne from Sempad. Finally, Hethum II took the throne back in 1299.

Leo's father, Thoros III, had been killed in 1298. So, in 1303, Hethum gave the crown to Thoros's son, Leo.

Fighting for the Kingdom

In 1305, King Leo and his uncle Hethum led the Armenian army. They fought against a raiding force from the Mamluks. The Armenian army won this battle, which took place at a place called Bagras.

The Tragic End of King Leo

On November 17, 1307, a sad event happened. King Leo and his uncle Hethum were visiting a Mongol general named Bilarghu. They were at a special dinner, or banquet, at Anazarbus castle.

Bilarghu was a Mongol who had become a Muslim. He wanted to build a mosque in the Armenian capital city of Sis. But Hethum did not want this. He wanted Armenia to remain a Christian kingdom. Hethum even complained about Bilarghu to the leader of the Mongol Ilkhanate, Oljeitu.

Bilarghu invited Hethum, Leo, and many other important Armenian leaders to the banquet. It seemed like it was for discussions. But suddenly, Bilarghu's soldiers attacked. They killed the Armenians while they were eating. King Leo, his uncle Hethum, and all the other Armenian nobles were killed.

Later, the Mongol leader Oljeitu found out what Bilarghu had done. Oljeitu had Bilarghu executed for his actions.

After Leo and Hethum were killed, Leo's other uncle, Oshin, became the new king. Leo was too young to have any children when he died, so he had no direct heirs.

Family Life

Leo III was married to his cousin, Agnes (Marie) de Lusignan. She was the daughter of Princess Isabella of Armenia and Amalric de Lusignan. They did not have any children.

See also

• In Spanish: León III de Armenia para niños