Leo III of Armenia (original) (raw)

Leo (or Leon) III of Armenia (c.1236-1289) was king of Armenia, ruling from 1270 to 1289. He was the son of Hethum I of Armenia and Isabella of Armenia.

In 1266 Leo was captured and his younger brother Thoros killed while fighting the Mamluk invaders. Leo was ransomed by his father, who abdicated in his favour shortly after. He was known as a pious king, devoted to Christianity.

Leo had seven children by his wife Kyranna de Lampron:

  1. Hethum II (ruled 1289 to 1293, 1294 to 1297, 1299 to 1307)
  2. Thoros III (ruled 1293 to 1298)
  3. Sempad (ruled 1297 to 1299)
  4. Constantine III (ruled 1299)
  5. Oshin (ruled 1308 to 1320)
  6. Isabelle of Armenia (died c.1321), who married Amalric of Tyre
  7. Retha of Armenia, who married Michael IX Palaeologus, Emperor of Byzantium

He was succeeded by his son Hethum II.

Bibliography