Battle of Antioch - First Crusaders besieged

Kerbogha's army arrives

The day after capturing Antioch (June 5, 1098), the crusaders saw Kerbogha's massive relief army arrive, trapping them inside the city.

Roger of Barneville's charge

Knight Roger of Barneville and 15 men charged the Muslim army but were wiped out by a feigned retreat, showing the danger of impulsive attacks.

Crusaders become the besieged

The crusaders, now trapped inside Antioch, became the besieged and tried to fortify the city they had just captured.

Fall of La Mahomerie

After repeated assaults, the makeshift fort was abandoned and destroyed.

Struggle for the citadel

Kerbogha installed his own commander in the citadel (replacing Yaghi Siyan's son) to secure it for himself. The crusaders camped against it, knowing they were not safe while it was held.

Crusader surprise attack

Heavily outnumbered, the crusaders launched a surprise attack from a southern postern gate. It was initially successful but led to heavy casualties due to looting and a chaotic retreat.

Kerbogha's two-front assault

To avoid a long siege, Kerbogha launched a major assault from the citadel down the mountain, coordinated with an attack on the south walls, forcing the crusaders to fight on two fronts.

Intensity of the defense

The assault raged for two days, described as so relentless that men had no time to eat or drink. Attackers were cut down in endless waves.

"Rope dancers"

Many crusaders began deserting by lowering themselves from the walls with ropes. Most were caught and killed by the Seljuks.

Oath to hold the city

To prevent total collapse, the remaining leaders swore an oath not to abandon Antioch and sealed the gates.

Bohemond nearly killed

During the fighting, Bohemond was surrounded and narrowly saved by Robert of Flanders and Robert of Normandy.

Bohemond orders a fire

On the fourth day of assault, Bohemond ordered buildings burned where men were hiding. The fire got out of control and burned a large part of the city.

Comet of June 13/14

On the night of June 13/14, a comet appeared. The clergy used it to rally the desperate defenders, giving them strength to last the night.

Seljuk withdrawal

The comet and the internal fire demoralized the Seljuks, who withdrew after one of the bloodiest battles of the siege, having suffered heavy losses.

Kerbogha's blockade

After the failed assault, Kerbogha spread his army to completely surround Antioch and starve the crusaders out.

Godfrey's failed raid

In a desperate move, Godfrey lost 200 men in a failed raid on the Muslim camp outside the St. Paul's Gate.

Henry of Esch's defense

Henry of Esch and two relatives repelled an entire Seljuk contingent trying to scale the walls with ladders; his relatives died in the fight.

Famine diet

To fight hunger, the crusaders boiled and ate the skins of horses, camels, donkeys, and wild plants.

Vision of Peter Bartholomew

On June 10, a peasant named Peter Bartholomew claimed visions revealing the Holy Lance was buried under St. Peter's Basilica in Antioch.

'Discovery' of the Holy Lance

After a day of digging found nothing, Peter Bartholomew jumped into the pit, prayed, and a shard of metal was 'found'. The army hailed it as the Holy Lance.

Impact of the Holy Lance

The discovery boosted crusader morale. Later letters stated it turned the discouraged and fearful into courageous and resolute fighters.

Peter the Hermit's negotiation

Peter the Hermit was sent to negotiate with Kerbogha, offering trial by combat to avoid mass casualties. Kerbogha laughed and demanded surrender and conversion.

Crusaders' bold strategy

Facing starvation, the crusaders decided on an all-out attack, forfeiting their defensive positions to sally out and fight Kerbogha's army head-on.

Bohemond elected commander-in-chief

Bohemond was elected supreme commander of the entire army for the decisive battle.

Preparation for battle

The army fasted for three days, shared bread and wine, and marched out at first light on June 28, 1098.

Battle formation

Bohemond divided his ~20,000-strong army (mostly infantry) into four contingents: Raymond, ill, stayed with 200 men to guard the city.

Hugh of Vermandois's archers

Hugh of Vermandois led a squadron of archers that beat back the first line of Muslim troops, allowing the crusader divisions to cross the river and form up.

Kerbogha's delayed response

Kerbogha's camp was 5 km away, and he delayed his response, wanting a decisive victory rather than a skirmish that would send the crusaders back behind walls.

Kerbogha's tactical error

Instead of using his mounted archers to harass the slow, hungry crusaders, Kerbogha ordered a rushed, disorganized advance.

Unity vs Disunity

Crusaders were united under previous struggles, but Kerbogha's army was divided between jealous emirs, so small uncoordinated attacks took place

Crusader rearguard action

The crusader rear-guard fought off a southern attack with such ferocity (despite heavy losses) that the attackers were routed and disconnected from the main Muslim army.

Obstacles to Seljuk tactics

The scattered tents of the Muslim siege lines hampered their cavalry tactics, and the absence of clear command (Kerbogha was busy rallying troops) caused disarray.

Crusader infantry holds

Kerbogha charged the crusader line, but the wall of heavy infantry held. At close quarters, the Muslim troops were no match and began to flee.

Muslim chronicler's account

Muslim chronicler Ibn al-Athir wrote: "The Franks... advanced in battle order... and they broke the ranks of the Muslims and scattered their multitudes."

Outcome of the battle

The Muslim camp was overrun, the citadel surrendered, and Kerbogha's coalition was decisively defeated.

Bohemond takes Antioch

Doesn't give it back to Byzantines, and sets up Principality of Antioch, becoming its Prince

Road to Jerusalem open

The victory at Antioch, against all odds, cleared the major obstacle, and the road to Jerusalem was now open for the crusaders.