Ruben III[citation needed] (Armenian: Ռուբեն Գ), also Roupen III,[1][2] Rupen III,[citation needed] or Reuben III,[3] (1145 – Monastery of Drazark,[1] May 6, 1187)[citation needed] was the ninth lord of Armenian Cilicia[1] (1175–1187).[citation needed]

Roupen III
Ռուբեն Գ
Lord of Cilicia
Lord of Armenian Cilicia
Reign1175–1187
PredecessorMleh I
SuccessorLeo II
Born1145
DiedMay 6, 1187(1187-05-06) (aged 41–42)
Drazark monastery
Burial
Drazark monastery
SpouseIsabella of Toron
IssueAlix
Philippa
HouseRoupenians
FatherStephen
MotherRita of Barbaron

Roupen remained always friendly to the Crusaders in spirit.[4] He was a just and good prince, and created many pious foundations within his domains.[4]

His life

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He was the eldest son of Stephen, the third son of Leo I, lord of Armenian Cilicia.[citation needed] His mother was Rita, a daughter of Sempad, Lord of Barbaron.[citation needed] Roupen's father[1] was murdered[2] on February 7, 1165.[citation needed]

Roupen was in charge of Cilicia following the murder of his paternal uncle, Mleh[1] on May 15, 1175.[citation needed]

He was an excellent prince, compassionate and kind; he ruled the country very well, and was praised by everybody.

— Vahram of Edessa: The Rhymed Chronicle of Armenia Minor[5]

On 4 February 1181/3 February 1182 he married Isabella of Toron, daughter of Humphrey III of Toron.[2] Before Roupen's 1188 death, Levon became the new ruler.[1]

On his return to his own country Rouben was kind and humane to every one, and at his death left the crown to Leon; he gave him many rules concerning the government of the country, and committed to him his daughters, with an injunction not to give them foreign husbands, that the Armenians might not be governed by foreigners and harassed by a tyrant.

— Vahram of Edessa: The Rhymed Chronicle of Armenia Minor[5]

Marriage and children

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# (4 February 1181 – 3 February 1182) Isabella of Toron, a daughter of Humphrey III of Toron and Stephanie of Milly[citation needed]

Footnotes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Ghazarian, Jacob G. The Armenian Kingdom in Cilicia during the Crusades: The Integration of Cilician Armenians with the Latins (1080–1393).
  2. ^ a b c Runciman, Steven. A History of the Crusades – Volume II.: The Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Frankish East: 1100–1187.
  3. ^ Gibb, Sir Hamilton A. R. The Rise of Saladin, 1169–1189.
  4. ^ a b Vahan M. Kurkjian (2005-04-05). "A History of Armenia". Website. Bill Thayer. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  5. ^ a b Vahram (2008-09-10). "Chronicle". Text Archive. Internet Archive. Retrieved 2009-07-24.

Sources

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Ruben III
Regnal titles
Preceded by Lord of Armenian Cilicia
1175–1187
Succeeded by