Foundation of the Principality of Antioch

Background

Before arranging the Firuz connection that delivered the city, Bohemond had obtained a promise from the other leaders that Antioch would belong to whoever took it first. Some of the other leaders, however, believed that under the oath to Alexios the city should be handed to Byzantium. Raymond of Saint-Gilles's men held the bridge gate and part of the palace.

Course of events

After Kerbogha's defeat the leaders sent an embassy to Byzantium, but no favourable answer came from the emperor. The death of the papal legate Adhémar in an epidemic on 1 August 1098 removed an important authority that had kept the balance among the leaders. In debates through the autumn, Bohemond argued that the oath no longer bound them because Byzantium had not come to their aid.

When pressure mounted in January 1099 for the army to march on Jerusalem, Raymond moved south; Bohemond stayed in Antioch and soon expelled Raymond's men from the city to become its sole ruler. Bohemond used the title “princeps”.

Outcome and significance

Antioch was organised as a separate Latin state, not dependent on Jerusalem. Byzantium's claim to the city persisted under Tancred's regency after Bohemond was captured by the Danishmendids in 1100. In 1108, by the Treaty of Devol, Bohemond was forced to accept Alexios's suzerainty, but the treaty was never applied. The Principality of Antioch survived until Baybars destroyed it in 1268.

Sources and debates

Written from a perspective close to Bohemond, the Gesta Francorum presents his claim as legitimate; Raymond of Aguilers takes Raymond's side. Anna Komnene depicts Bohemond as a deceiver who broke his oath. This open partisanship of the sources means the principality's foundation must be studied as an early example of political propaganda.