Roupen I of Syunik

Roupen I (c.1110-1136, reigned 1129-1134) was ruler of the Armenian principality of Syunik in the early twelfth century. Like his father David, Roupen was a vassal of Constantinople, but he aroused the ire of the Emperor Manuel I with his marriage to the heiress Zabel of Khachen, which brought together two small Armenian principalities into a permanent alliance and gave Roupen a great deal of influence. Manuel attempted first to prevent the marriage, but his interference provoked a backlash amongst Armenians within imperial territory. Roupen was thereafter kidnapped and brought first to Antioch, where he was tried before the Emperor, and then exiled to Cyprus and replaced on the throne by his infant son Smbat. The prince attempted to escape his island exile two years later, but was captured and executed.