On This Day

Crusaders capture Syria's harbor city of Tripoli

Evidence of settlement in Tripoli dates back as early as 1400 BCE. Tripoli was originally a Phoenician colony.

Evidence of settlement in Tripoli dates back as early as 1400 BCE. Tripoli was originally a Phoenician colony. In the 9th century, the Phoenicians established a trading station in Tripoli and later, under Persian rule, the city became the center of a confederation of the Phoenician city-states of Sidon, Tyre, and Arados Island. Under Hellenistic rule, Tripoli was used as a naval shipyard and the city enjoyed a period of autonomy. It came under Roman rule around 64 BCE. The 551 Beirut earthquake and tsunami destroyed the Byzantine city of Tripoli along with other Mediterranean coastal cities. During Umayyad rule, Tripoli became a commercial and shipbuilding center. It achieved semi-independence under Fatimid rule, when it developed into a center of learning.

Historical Significance

Evidence of settlement in Tripoli dates back as early as 1400 BCE.

Events Before

  1. Maginulf is elected Antipope Sylvester IV

    Sylvester IV, born Maginulf, was a claimant to the Papacy from 1105 to 1111 in opposition to Paschal II. A priest before his election, he was probably a native of Rome.

  2. Rabbi Nathan ben Yehiel of Rome completes Talmudic dictionary

    Rabbi Nathan ben Yehiel of Rome completes Talmudic dictionary

  3. Henry I of Limburg loses the duchy of Lower Lorraine to Godfrey of Louvain

    Henry I of Limburg loses the duchy of Lower Lorraine to Godfrey of Louvain

  4. Henry IV dies

    Henry IV dies

  5. Louis VI "The Fat," King of France, is crowned at the cathedral in Orléans after his half-brother prevents him from reac

    Louis VI "The Fat," King of France, is crowned at the cathedral in Orléans after his half-brother prevents him from reaching Reims

Events After

  1. Crusaders march into Beirut causing a bloodbath

    Crusaders march into Beirut causing a bloodbath

  2. Syrian harbor city Saida (Sidon) surrenders to Crusaders

    Sidon ( SY-dən), or Saida ( SY-də, SAH-id-ə; Arabic: صيدا, romanized: Ṣaydā), is the third-largest city in Lebanon.

  3. Baldwin VII becomes Earl of Flanders

    Baldwin VII becomes Earl of Flanders

  4. Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona and Douce I of Provence marry, uniting the fortunes of those two states.

    Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona and Douce I of Provence marry, uniting the fortunes of those two states.

  5. Giovanni Caetani, Chancellor to Pope Paschal II, is elected as his successor, takes the name of Pope Gelasius II

    Giovanni Caetani, Chancellor to Pope Paschal II, is elected as his successor, takes the name of Pope Gelasius II

More from the 1100s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 12, 1109?
Evidence of settlement in Tripoli dates back as early as 1400 BCE. Tripoli was originally a Phoenician colony. In the 9th century, the Phoenicians established a trading station in Tripoli and later, under Persian rule, the city became the center of a confederation of the Phoenician city-states of Sidon, Tyre, and Arados Island.
Why is Crusaders capture Syria's harbor city of Tripoli significant?
Evidence of settlement in Tripoli dates back as early as 1400 BCE.

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