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