April 1287 · Latakia
Capture of Latakia
When an earthquake in March 1287 damaged one of Latakia's defensive towers, Qalawun sent an army to the city. Attacking on the grounds that the city belonged to the Principality of Antioch and was not covered by the truce with Tripoli, the Mamluks took Latakia in April 1287.
RESEARCH DOSSIER
Historical analysis of the event
Background
Latakia was the last important coastal city left to the Principality of Antioch after Antioch fell in 1268, and was ruled by Count Bohemond VII of Tripoli. Qalawun had made a truce with Tripoli in 1281, but whether Latakia was covered by it was unclear.
Course of events
In March 1287 an earthquake in the region damaged the walls of the tower guarding the city's harbour, built on a rock in the sea. Qalawun sent the emir Husam al-Din Turuntay to Latakia.
The Mamluks built a causeway into the sea to reach the tower and besieged the city. Latakia was taken on 20 April 1287, and the tower surrendered soon afterwards. The city's defences were demolished.
Outcome and significance
With the loss of Latakia the last territory of the Principality of Antioch disappeared. The death of Bohemond VII the same year caused a succession crisis in Tripoli, which gave Qalawun the opportunity to besiege Tripoli in 1289.
The episode shows the Mamluk method of carefully interpreting the scope of truce agreements to give their attacks legal justification.
Sources and debates
Abu al-Fida and Baybars al-Mansuri describe the events from the Mamluk side; the Templar of Tyre gives the Latin view. The date of the earthquake and the exact day the city was taken differ between sources.
Dates, places and figures in this record compare the principal narrative sources with modern scholarship. Where the sources disagree this is stated in the text; for a thesis or publication, consult the relevant edition and page reference.