Siege of Antioch

Overview

• Part of: First Crusade
• Dates: 20 October 1097 – 28 June 1098
• Location: Antioch (present-day Antakya, Turkey)
• Result: Crusader victory
• Territorial Changes: Antioch captured, Principality of Antioch founded

Belligerents

• Crusaders:
  • Leaders: Bohemond of Taranto, Raymond IV of Toulouse, Adhemar of Le Puy, Godfrey of Bouillon, Robert II of Normandy, and others
  • Strength: ~40,000 initially, ~20,000 during the second siege
• Byzantine Empire:
  • Strength: 2,000 light infantry and naval support
• Seljuk Empire & Allies (Antioch garrison and relief forces):
  • Leaders: Yaghi-Siyan, Duqaq, Toghtekin, Kerbogha, and others
  • Strength: ~5,000 garrison, ~10,000 Duqaq, ~12,000 Radwan, ~35,000-40,000 Kerbogha

Casualties

• Crusaders: Heavy losses due to starvation, disease, battle
• Seljuk & Allies: Entire garrison slain, every relief force destroyed

Background

• Antioch was strategically located on the route to Jerusalem, controlling supply lines and reinforcements.
• Yaghi-Siyan, Seljuk governor, fortified the city and sought help from other leaders.
• The city was encircled by Byzantine walls, making it difficult to capture.

First Siege (Oct 1097 – Jun 1098)

• Crusaders reached Antioch on 21 October 1097.
• The garrison failed in a sortie on 29 December.
• Crusaders encountered supply shortages, leading to starvation and desertion.
• Relief forces led by Duqaq and Ridwan were defeated in December 1097 and February 1098.
• Antioch captured on 3 June 1098, but the citadel remained in Turkish hands.

Second Siege (Jun 1098)

• Kerbogha's relief force besieged crusaders from 7 to 28 June 1098.
• Crusaders exited the city and defeated Kerbogha's forces on 28 June.
• Citadel defenders surrendered after Kerbogha's defeat.

Key Events & Strategies

• Crusaders initially hesitant to assault due to Antioch's strong defenses.
• Siege began by capturing nearby key locations (Artah, Iron Bridge).
• Crusaders split into groups across different city gates.
• Foraging for supplies led to attacks by garrison.
• Genoese reinforcements arrived in November.
• Constructed siege engines and forts to block city gates.

Crises and Diplomacy

• Famine and disease severely impacted the crusaders.
• Desertions occurred, including Peter the Hermit who was caught and returned.
• Failed diplomatic attempts with local Muslim leaders and the Fatimid embassy.

Battle of Antioch (28 Jun 1098)

• Holy Lance discovery boosted morale.
• Crusaders divided into six divisions and launched an offensive against Kerbogha.
• Kerbogha’s army fragmented and retreated.
• Crusaders claimed decisive victory.

Aftermath

• Bohemond of Taranto claimed Antioch, despite disputes with other leaders.
• Epidemic and infighting plagued crusaders after victory.
• The principality established, and Jerusalem campaign continued in 1099.
• Peter Bartholomew's ordeal by fire and subsequent death ended the Holy Lance controversy.

Significance

• Siege of Antioch was a pivotal event in the First Crusade.
• Demonstrated the strategic importance of Antioch and the challenges of medieval siege warfare.
• Set the stage for the capture of Jerusalem by crusader forces.