1237–1275 · Prince of Antioch and count of Tripoli (1252–1275)
Bohemond VI
Prince of Antioch and count of Tripoli; he allied with the Mongols in 1260, became for this reason a target of Baybars, and witnessed the loss of Antioch in 1268.
BIOGRAPHICAL DOSSIER
Life and historical role
Life and political setting
Bohemond VI was the son of Bohemond V and Lucia of Segni and took over government in 1252 when declared of age with Louis IX's support. He married Sibylla, daughter of King Hethum I of Armenian Cilicia, and followed his father-in-law's pro-Mongol policy.
Role in the Crusades
When Hülegü's army entered Syria in 1260, Bohemond joined the Mongols with Hethum and is said to have entered Damascus with them. For this he was excommunicated by the papal legate. After Ayn Jalut, Baybars made constant attacks on Bohemond's lands. When Antioch was taken in May 1268 Bohemond was in Tripoli; Baybars sent him his famous letter describing the city's destruction.
Historical significance and source problems
After the loss of Antioch Bohemond ruled only the County of Tripoli and died in 1275. His Mongol alliance is the clearest example of the differing attitudes toward the Mongols in the Latin East. The Gestes des Chiprois, the Templar of Tyre and Ibn Abd al-Zahir are the main sources.
Biographical information is linked to the sources shown on the page and to the connected event records. Disputed dates are given as approximate, gaps are not filled by conjecture, and later literary or visual depictions are not treated as contemporary portraits.