Hetoum I, King of Cilicia, founder of Hetoumid’s dynasty and Queen Zabel I’s husband, was a major player in political struggles and has shifted alliances around the Crusader states. With his diplomatic approach, he came to a peaceful solution in numerous conflicts. One of his most significant diplomatic achievements was preventing possible war with the strong Mongol army and signing a peace agreement with the emperor of the Mongol Empire Mongke Khan.
Hetoum and Zabel had six children. Since 1269 till his last days, Hetoum I lived in a monastery as a monk: he abdicated in favor of his son Levon III – the next King of Cilicia.
