CRUSADERS.Antioch.Bohemund III.(1163-1201).BI Denier.

Obv : +BOAMVNDVS.
Profile bust with crescent left and star right.

Rev : +ANTIOCHIA.
Small cross with crescent in first angle.
Metcalf 378; CCS 67d.

Condition : The coin is in very good condition with sharp and distinct details. The patina has a light silvery hue, giving the surface a clean and smooth appearance, indicating well-preserved metal with minimal wear.Extremely fine.

Material : Billon.
Axis : 3h

Weight : 1.04 gr
Diameter : 17 mm

The Crusaders’ capture and control of Antioch was one of the most significant and dramatic episodes during the First Crusade. Antioch, located in modern-day Turkey, was a key city in the Byzantine Empire and a major strategic point on the route to Jerusalem. In the 11th century, it was under Muslim control and considered one of the most important cities in the Levant due to its size, wealth, and strong fortifications. When the Crusaders embarked on their mission to reclaim the Holy Land, Antioch became a primary target due to its geographical and symbolic significance.The siege of Antioch began in October 1097 and lasted until June 1098. This long and grueling campaign tested the Crusaders’ endurance and determination. Led by key figures such as Bohemond of Taranto, Raymond of Toulouse, and Godfrey of Bouillon, the Crusader forces surrounded the city, but they faced several challenges. Antioch’s massive walls and strong defenses made it difficult for the Crusaders to mount a direct assault, and the siege dragged on for months. During this time, the Crusader army suffered from hunger, disease, and dwindling morale, as their supply lines were stretched thin and reinforcements were slow to arrive.

Inside the city, the Muslim garrison, commanded by Yaghi-Siyan, the Seljuk governor of Antioch, resisted fiercely. However, after months of siege, internal divisions and the prolonged blockade weakened the defenders’ resolve. One of the turning points in the siege was the defection of an Armenian named Firouz, who controlled one of the city’s towers. Firouz secretly negotiated with Bohemond, agreeing to open the gates in exchange for promises of safety and rewards. In June 1098, the Crusaders successfully entered the city with Firouz's help and captured Antioch after fierce fighting.However, the Crusaders’ victory was short-lived. Almost immediately after taking the city, a large Muslim relief force led by Kerbogha, the Atabeg of Mosul, arrived to retake Antioch. The Crusaders found themselves besieged within the city’s walls, facing a reverse siege from the outside. Supplies were once again scarce, and morale was low, with the Crusaders weakened by the previous months of fighting and hunger.

In the midst of this dire situation, the Crusaders claimed to have discovered a powerful relic: the Holy Lance, believed to be the spear that pierced the side of Jesus during his crucifixion. This discovery, which many regarded as a miraculous sign, bolstered the Crusaders' spirits and reinvigorated their resolve to fight. In June 1098, despite being outnumbered and facing what seemed like insurmountable odds, the Crusaders launched a bold counterattack against Kerbogha’s forces. To the surprise of many, the Crusaders achieved a decisive victory, routing the Muslim army and securing their hold on Antioch.The capture of Antioch was a turning point in the First Crusade. It not only provided the Crusaders with a valuable stronghold in the region but also demonstrated their ability to defeat powerful Muslim armies. Antioch’s fall boosted the Crusaders’ morale and solidified their determination to continue their campaign toward Jerusalem.

After the capture of Antioch, disputes arose among the Crusader leaders about who would control the city. Bohemond of Taranto, who played a crucial role in negotiating with Firouz and leading the final assault, asserted his claim over Antioch and became its ruler, establishing the Principality of Antioch. This principality would remain a Crusader state for nearly two centuries, becoming one of the most important and enduring Crusader territories in the Levant.Under Crusader rule, Antioch became a center of military, political, and religious activity. It was a fortified bastion against Muslim forces and served as a staging ground for further Crusader campaigns in the region. The Crusader princes who ruled Antioch established a feudal system and integrated European-style governance, while the local population, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews, often lived under a complex system of coexistence.

Antioch remained a key stronghold until it fell to Muslim forces again in 1268 when Sultan Baibars of the Mamluks recaptured the city, marking the end of Crusader rule. Despite its eventual fall, Antioch’s importance during the Crusades left a lasting legacy. It played a vital role in the Crusader states' expansion and the establishment of European influence in the eastern Mediterranean for centuries. The siege and capture of Antioch are remembered as one of the most significant and dramatic episodes in Crusader history, illustrating the determination, hardship, and complexity of the Crusader campaign in the Holy Land.