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The Rubenid dynasty was an Armenian royal house that established the Kingdom of Cilicia in Little Armenia, located on the southeast coast of Anatolia. This kingdom was founded in the 12th century and ruled first as barons and then as kings until 1226. Frankish culture, influenced by the Crusades, had a significant impact on Little Armenia, and it also served as a vital trade route for Venetian and Genoese merchants. The kingdom eventually fell to the Mamluks in 1375.1

The Rubenids originated from Armenian nobles who settled in Cilicia around 1080. They expanded their territories at the expense of the Byzantine Empire. By 1199, under Levon I, the dynasty was crowned kings of Armenia, solidifying their alliance with Western powers. Intermarriage with Frankish families was common, leading to strong Western cultural influences. The kingdom played a key role in East-West trade until its eventual conquest.2

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