Explain why the
First crusade
succeeded at
Antioch
What happened?
The siege of Antioch between Oct
1097 and June 1098 proved the
crusaders’ greatest challenge
the city was besieged,
and captured on 2nd
june 1098
victory in the battle of Antioch
came on 28th june.
Why was Antioch so important?
Antioch was of key significance to the
crusaders
it was of great religious importance to
Christians, second only to Jerusalem
it was the site of the first Christian
church founded by the apostle Peter
Antioch had been the home of
the apostle Luke
The city was also of strategic significance in
their rear as they marched south to Jerusalem
Muslim disunity
A key reason for the crusaders’
survival was the failure of the muslim
world to unite against them
The crusaders were able to
defeat three separate
piecemeal attacks
Ridwan, Emir of Aleppo
was repulsed in Feb. 1098
Bohemond, although outnumbered
defeated the army of Duqaq, the
Emir of Damascus in Dec. 1097
on 28th June 1098 the
crusaders defeated the
fragile coalition led by
Kerbogha, Emir of
Mosul.
Byzantine help
the departure of General Tatikios and
his troops in Feb. 1098 ended direct
Byzantine involvement in the crusade
However, the Byzantine fleet
continued to provide vital supplies
through the port of St Simeon
Bohemond of Taranto
Bohemond
emerged at
Antioch as a
key military
commander
he not only led the crusaders in all three
victories over the Muslims
he also secured
control of the city
in june 1098 when
he plotted with
Firouz, a renegade
Armenian to
betray a gate in
the city wall
Luck
The crusaders were lucky the muslims failed
to unite, and also would have been caught
between the city walls and Kergogha’s army if
Firouz had not betrayed his position
Religious fervour
morale was at its lowest point and
a muslim coalition led by the Emir of
Mosul was approaching
Peter Bartholomew had a
vision of St Andrew revealing
the site of the Holy Lance a
relic which had pierced Christ’s
side during the crucifixion
the Holy Lance was found in
the church of St Peter on the
14th June
the Lance strengthened resolve
and inspired religious fervour
which transformed the morale of
the crusaders
. On 28th led by Bohemond and the
lance the crusaders defeated
Kerbogha’s muslim coalition in battle
Conclusion
Military skill was of
key importance
the crusaders’ heavy cavalry won
three key battles against the Turks
between Dec. 1097 and June
1098
Their battle hardness and
cohesion had been acquired
during two years of
campaigning
Tom Asbridge argues that
Antioch was won through
desperation and fear as much
as faith