He was the eldest son of
Stephen, the third son of
Leo I, lord of Armenian Cilicia. His mother was
Rita, a daughter of
Sempad, Lord of Barbaron. Roupen's father was murdered on February 7, 1165. Roupen was in charge of Cilicia following the murder of his paternal uncle,
Mleh on May 15, 1175. On 4 February 1181/3 February 1182 he married
Isabella of Toron, daughter of Humphrey III of Toron. Before Roupen's 1188 death, Levon became the new ruler. ==Marriage and children==