Leo I (), also Levon I or Leon I, (unknown – Constantinople, February 14, 1140) was the fifth lord of Armenian Cilicia (1129/1130–1137).
He expanded his rule over the Cilician plains and even to the Mediterranean shores. In his time, relations between the Armenians and the Franks (the Crusaders), two former allies, were not always as courteous as before: a major cause of dissension between them was the ownership of the strongholds of the southern Amanus, and on the neighboring coasts of the Gulf of Alexandretta.Kurkjian 1958, pp. 219-220
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. Sometime between 1100 and 1103, Leo married
Rule
Other authors (e.g., Jacob G. Ghazarian, Vahan M. Kurkjian) suggest that Thoros I was directly succeeded by Leo.
Conflicts with the Franks Leo paid 60,000 gold pieces and gave his son as a hostage. An alliance was then formed against the Emperor John II Comnenus, who was then pressing his claims against Antioch as well as Cilicia.Kurkjian 1958, p. 220
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
Sources Bucossi, Alessandra; Suarez, Alex Rodriguez: John II Komnenos, Emperor of Byzantium: In the Shadow of Father and Son; Routledge, 2016, Abingdon; Ghazarian, Jacob G: The Armenian Kingdom in Cilicia during the Crusades: The Integration of Cilician Armenians with the Latins (1080–1393); RoutledgeCurzon (Taylor & Francis Group), 2000, Abingdon;
External links Smbat Sparapet's Chronicle The Barony of Cilician Armenia (Kurkjian's History of Armenia, Ch. 27)