Battle of Artah
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Artah was fought in 1105 between Crusader forces and the Seljuk Turks. The Turks were led by Fakhr al-Mulk Radwan of Aleppo, while the Crusaders were led by Tancred, Prince of Galilee
, regent of the Principality of Antioch
. The Crusaders were victorious and proceeded to threaten Aleppo itself.
in 1104, all of Antioch's strongholds east of the Orontes River
were abandoned. In order to raise additional Crusader reinforcements, Bohemond of Taranto embarked for Europe, leaving Tancred as regent in Antioch. The new regent began to patiently recover the lost castles and walled towns.
. When Radwan tried to interfere with the operation, Tancred gave battle and defeated the army of Aleppo. The Latin prince is supposed to have won by his "skilful use of ground." The Franks may have gained a tactical advantage by using the "device of a feigned retreat." Otherwise, little is known about the battle.
in 1111 and the Battle of Sarmin
in 1115.
Tancred, Prince of Galilee
Tancred was a Norman leader of the First Crusade who later became Prince of Galilee and regent of the Principality of Antioch...
, regent of the Principality of Antioch
Principality of Antioch
The Principality of Antioch, including parts of modern-day Turkey and Syria, was one of the crusader states created during the First Crusade.-Foundation:...
. The Crusaders were victorious and proceeded to threaten Aleppo itself.
Background
After the great Crusader defeat at the Battle of HarranBattle of Harran
The Battle of Harran took place on May 7, 1104 between the Crusader states of the Principality of Antioch and the County of Edessa, and the Seljuk Turks. It was the first major battle against the newfound Crusader states in the aftermath of the First Crusade marking a key turning point against...
in 1104, all of Antioch's strongholds east of the Orontes River
Orontes River
The Orontes or ‘Āṣī is a river of Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.It was anciently the chief river of the Levant, also called Draco, Typhon and Axius...
were abandoned. In order to raise additional Crusader reinforcements, Bohemond of Taranto embarked for Europe, leaving Tancred as regent in Antioch. The new regent began to patiently recover the lost castles and walled towns.
Battle
Tancred laid siege to the castle of Artah, which is located 25 miles east-northeast of AntiochAntioch
Antioch on the Orontes was an ancient city on the eastern side of the Orontes River. It is near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey.Founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the...
. When Radwan tried to interfere with the operation, Tancred gave battle and defeated the army of Aleppo. The Latin prince is supposed to have won by his "skilful use of ground." The Franks may have gained a tactical advantage by using the "device of a feigned retreat." Otherwise, little is known about the battle.
Aftermath
After his victory, Tancred expanded his conquests east of the Orontes with only minor opposition. The next actions of consequence in northern Syria were the Battle of ShaizarBattle of Shaizar (1111)
In the Battle of Shaizar in 1111, a Crusader army commanded by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem and a Seljuk army led by Mawdud ibn Altuntash of Mosul fought to tactical draw but a withdrawal of Crusader forces.-Background:...
in 1111 and the Battle of Sarmin
Battle of Sarmin
In the Battle of Sarmin on September 14, 1115, Prince Roger of Salerno's Crusader army surprised and routed the Seljuk Turkish army of Bursuq bin Bursuq of Hamadan.-Background:...
in 1115.