Battle of Harran

Background

Harran, south of Edessa, was an important city controlling the roads to Mosul and Iraq. Count Baldwin II of Edessa (Baldwin of Bourcq), with Bohemond and Tancred from Antioch, planned to take it and extend the county toward the Jazira. Succession struggles in the Seljuk world had made the Turkish emirs of the region look divided and weak.

Course of events

The combined Frankish army besieged Harran, but the Artuqid Sökmen and Jikirmish of Mosul set aside their rivalry and came to the city's aid. In the battle on the Balikh river on 7 May, the Turkish forces used a feigned retreat to separate the Edessan troops from the main army and surround them.

The Edessan army broke; Baldwin II and Joscelin I, lord of Turbessel, were captured. The Antiochene forces of Bohemond and Tancred largely escaped and withdrew. The captives passed first to Sökmen and then to Jikirmish.

Outcome and significance

Harran was the crusaders' first major defeat in northern Syria and the Jazira. From then on the County of Edessa turned to defence instead of expansion, and Byzantium recovered several cities in Cilicia. Bohemond went to Europe in 1105 to raise support against Byzantium, leaving Antioch to Tancred, who also took over the regency of Edessa.

The captives became bargaining chips in regional politics: Joscelin was ransomed in 1107 and Baldwin II in 1108. Claims that Tancred delayed Baldwin II's release show the conflicts of interest among the Latin leaders.

Sources and debates

Fulcher of Chartres, Albert of Aachen and Ralph of Caen give the Latin side; Matthew of Edessa the Armenian side; Ibn al-Athir and Ibn al-Qalanisi the Muslim side. Ibn al-Athir counts Harran among the Muslims' first great victories over the crusaders. The distance of the battlefield from Harran and the strength of the forces are disputed.