Near East Kingdoms

Norman Principality of Antioch
AD 1099 - 1268

The strategically important city of Antioch (modern Antakya in Turkey) was founded near the end of the fourth century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, who made it the capital of his Seleucid empire in ancient Syria. After the fall of the region to the Islamic empire in AD 640, it was recovered by the Eastern Roman Emperor Nicephorus II Phocas in 969. The city was lost again to the Seljuq Turks in 1085.

Thirteen years later, after an eight month siege, it was captured by the Crusaders during the First Crusade, which was largely organised by Bohemond I of Taranto, son of Robert Guiscard, duke of Apulia. The city became the capital of an independent principality of Antioch (despite Bohemond's oath of allegiance to the Byzantine emperor before the Crusaders commenced their journey). The city of Gibelet, or Giblet (ancient Byblos) formed an important military base within the captured territories, which stretched from Iskenderun on the eastern side of the gulf of the same name (now in Turkey) to the region north of Tartus. To the east it was bordered by the atabegs of Aleppo and Damascus.

Antioch and its domains remained in Crusader hands for the better part of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, until the city was captured by the Mameluke Sultan Baybars in 1268. Baybars' destruction of the city was so great that it was never a major city again.

1099 - 1111

Son of Robert Guiscard, duke of Apulia.

1099

Jerusalem is seized from the Seljuq Turks in a bloody fight. An independent Christian kingdom is formed.

The ancient city of Antioch was held by the sultanate of Rum for the thirteen years between 1085-1098 following its capture from the Eastern Roman empire, until the siege of Antioch as depicted here saw it captured by Crusader forces, following which a semi-independent Crusader principality was formed around it

1101 - 1103

Regent.

1104 - 1111

Regent. Re-appointed. Became sole prince.

1108

Having travelled back to Europe, Bohemund of Antioch in September 1108 is forced to sign the Treaty of Devol. This authorises the Eastern Roman empire to annexe Antioch upon Bohemund's death.

1111 - 1112

Former regent, now prince.

1111 - 1112

Upon Bohemund's death he is succeeded by Tancred. Alexius I of the Eastern Roman empire sends envoys to demand control of the principality but Tancred refuses and continues to govern there until his own death in 1112.

1111 - 1130

Assumed power in 1126.

1112 - 1119

Nephew of Tancred. Regent.

1119 - 1126

Regent.

1130 - 1164

1137 - 1138

An Eastern Roman army attacks Aleppo after forcing Raymond II, prince of Antioch, to pay homage and having allied both with Raymond and Count Joscelin II of Edessa. Raymond is to give up Antioch to Constantinople in exchange for assuming control over a different fief to be conquered from the territory of Imad ad Din of Mosul and Aleppo.

A combined Roman and Crusader force (with John II leading the Romans) besieges Shaizar as part of the effort to carve out this new fief. After a month of effort they are driven off by Imad ad Din.

John demands the surrender of the citadel of Antioch, something which Raymond refuses to do. Meanwhile, Joscelin exploits local sentiment against the Romans to instigate riots which drive home Emperor John II.

1140 - 1149

Personally killed by Shirkuh, uncle of Ayyubid sultan, Saladin.

1142

Eastern Roman Emperor John II again attacks Antioch and ravages the principality's territory due to the refusal by Raymond II to pay homage. John remains unable to bring Raymond to heal.

1143

Raymond II attempts to build on his steadfast refusal to come to heel by demanding that Eastern Roman Emperor Manuel I cede some towns from Lesser Armenia to Antioch. Manuel instead forces Raymond to Constantinople to pay his long-delayed homage and requires Raymond to acknowledge a Greek Orthodox patriarch.

1144

Imad ad Din of Aleppo and Mosul besieges the county of Edessa during a border war. Antioch is unable to respond to calls for help as as its army is preoccupied in battling the Eastern Roman empire in Lesser Armenia. Mosul conquers Edessa, ending its independence and leaving only a remnant survivor around Turbessel.

The loss provokes Pope Eugenius into calling upon Louis VII of France to play his part in defending the Holy Land. The king embarks for Jerusalem in 1147, taking part in the Second Crusade.

1149

Prince Raymond is killed by Asad ad-Din Shirkuh, an important military commander under Nur ad-Din of Aleppo and Damascus.

1153 - 1160

Personally killed by future Ayyubid sultan, Saladin.

1160

Reynald de Châtillon is killed by Saladin, who is in the service of Nur ad-Din of Aleppo and Damascus. Antioch's territories are greatly reduced by the defeat.

1163 - 1201

1187

The Christians are defeated by the Ayyubid sultan, Saladin, at the Battle of Hattin. As partially depicted in the film Kingdom of Heaven, 2005, Reynald de Châtillon, the bloodthirsty prince of Antioch (not a Templar), is personally killed by Saladin at the end of the battle.

1201 - 1216

Count of Tripoli (1187-1233).

1216 - 1219

1219 - 1233

Count of Tripoli (1187-1233).

1233 - 1252

Count of Tripoli.

1252 - 1268

Count of Tripoli (1252-1275).

1268

The Mameluke Sultan Baybars continues his campaigns against the Christian kingdoms, three years after destroying Jerusalem's castle at Arsuf. Antioch, the first major conquest made by the First Crusade in 1099, now falls to Baybars in just a day. Once his troops have access, the city's gates are barred from within so that no one may escape, and the Christian population is massacred. The message is clear. The Crusaders will not be returning to Antioch.

1275 - 1287

Count of Tripoli and Titular Prince of Antioch.