- This story is about a medieval king, Hetoum I, who saved Christianity from the threat of extinction and succeeded in his mission to entrust the defense of the country, which was surrounded by enemies, to his queen, Zabel, who was carrying the future heir of the throne.—Domino Production
- This story is about a medieval king, Hetoum I, who saved Christianity from the threat of extinction and succeeded in his mission to entrust the defense of the country, which was surrounded by enemies, to his queen, Zabel, who was carrying the future heir of the throne. The first half of the 13th century. The Asia Minor. Cilician Armenia. With the leadership of Genghis Khan's grandson, Möngke Khan, the Mongols crossed Europe and Asia Minor reaching the coasts of the Mediterranean: Hetoum I, the king of Cilician Armenia was facing a dilemma whether to start a war like the rest of the leaders of the European countries or to strike a peace treaty with the Khan. Hetoum had always lived the life dictated by his powerful father, who was a Constable; an arranged marriage for the sake of the throne with a woman he didn't love, bloodshed of wars for prominence, and on the other hand a little piece of hope and belief towards peace and the power of diplomacy. Despite all the exhortations, Hetoum took an unprecedented step and decided to present himself personally to the Mongol Khan and make a peace treaty. Hetoum started his odyssey disguised with a small group of troops in a trading ship, so that his traveling course remained secret from his surrounding enemies. Bearing many hardships on his route, the one-year journey finally ended in Karakorum, the capital of Mongolia. Presenting himself to Möngke Khan, he had to prove his royal status and overcoming this first obstacle he started the negotiation process. Captivated by Hetoum's wisdom and allegiance, Möngke Khan decides to become allies with Cilicia. Having never experienced real love in his life, King Hetoum became obsessed with the charm of Möngke Khan's beautiful daughter during the time spent in the royal court. Möngke Khan accepts Hetoum as an ambassador of Christianity. Thus, Hetoum saves the whole Christian Europe from the danger of Mongol invasions. At the same time, due to internal conspiracies, the Mamluks of Egypt got informed about the King's absence from Cilicia and before the news reaches to Hetoum, they attack Cilicia with a surprise attack. The battle is led by the Constable but the stunned army of Cilicia is defeated immensely, and Hetoum's two sons are taken captives. Hours later, the decapitated head of Hetoum's son appears by the gates of Sis along with a demand letter. Queen Zabel takes an unusual step, which was also contributed by the internal conspirators. Being in the latter stages of her pregnancy and armed with her husband's diplomacy, Zabel decides to meet the Sultan of the Mamluks and pursue peace. Arriving at the Mamluks' camp, the queen is publicly humiliated and abused by the fierce enemy. Zabel is taken captive, and threatened to get her son and herself released only if Hetoum approached the camp on his knees.
Reaching Cilicia with Möngke Khan's troops, Hetoum succeeds in the siege and destruction of the enemy's army saving his captivated son. Hetoum finds unconscious Zabel in one of the tents with a screaming newborn child in her arms. The victorious Cilician army returns to the castle. Hetoum crowns his tormented son and leaves to the monastery the same night for seclusion.
A king who was seeking peace found war, and embraced the sin he had avoided all his life, by getting deeply immersed into it.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content