Leo Leo IV, King of Armenia

1308 (age 33)

His name is sometimes spelled as Leo or Leon. He spent his minority under the regency of Oshin of Korikos. During this period, the kingdom was much harassed by Mamluks and Mongols. In 1320, the Egyptian sultan Naser Mohammed ibn Kelaoun invaded and ravaged Christian Armenian Cilicia. Mongol troops were sent to Cilicia, but only arrived after a ceasefire had been negotiated for 15 years between Constantin, patriarch of the Armenians, and the sultan of Egypt. Leo was strongly pro-Western and favored a union of the Armenian and Roman Churches, which deeply displeased the native barons. In 1337, First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Nasr Muhammad invaded again, taking the city of Ayas, and Leo was forced to conclude a humiliating truce, surrendering territory and a large indemnity and promising to have no dealings with the West. He spent the last years of his reign holed up in the citadel at Sis, hoping for Western aid. On August 28, 1341 he was murdered by his own barons.

Leo Leo IV, King of Armenia

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Mongol ruler head of Oshin

Background

He was the son of Oshin of Armenia and Isabel of Korikos, and came to the throne on the death of his father.

Career

His name is sometimes spelled as Leo or Leon. He spent his minority under the regency of Oshin of Korikos. During this period, the kingdom was much harassed by Mamluks and Mongols.

In 1320, the Egyptian sultan Naser Mohammed ibn Kelaoun invaded and ravaged Christian Armenian Cilicia.

Mongol troops were sent to Cilicia, but only arrived after a ceasefire had been negotiated for 15 years between Constantin, patriarch of the Armenians, and the sultan of Egypt. Leo was strongly pro-Western and favored a union of the Armenian and Roman Churches, which deeply displeased the native barons.

In 1337, First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Nasr Muhammad invaded again, taking the city of Ayas, and Leo was forced to conclude a humiliating truce, surrendering territory and a large indemnity and promising to have no dealings with the West. He spent the last years of his reign holed up in the citadel at Sis, hoping for Western aid.

On August 28, 1341 he was murdered by his own barons.

Membership

Oshin murdered a number of members of the royal family to consolidate his own power, and Leo"s reaction upon reaching his majority in 1329 was violent.

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