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Crusaders seize Antioch after a five-month siege during the First Crusade

The siege of Antioch took place during the First Crusade in 1097 and 1098, on the Crusaders' way to Jerusalem through Syria. Two sieges took place in succession.

The siege of Antioch took place during the First Crusade in 1097 and 1098, on the Crusaders' way to Jerusalem through Syria. Two sieges took place in succession. The Crusader sieged the city held by the Seljuk Empire from 20 October 1097 to 3 June 1098, when the Crusaders successfully took the city. A Seljuk relieving army then sieged the Crusader for three weeks in late June. The second siege led to the Battle of Antioch in which the Crusaders defeated the Seljuks led by Kerbogha. The Crusaders then established the Principality of Antioch, ruled by Bohemond of Taranto.

Antioch (modern Antakya) lay in a strategic location on the Crusaders' route to Judea through the Syrian Coastal mountain range. Supplies, reinforcements and retreat could all be controlled by the city.

Historical Significance

The siege of Antioch took place during the First Crusade in 1097 and 1098, on the Crusaders' way to Jerusalem through Syria.

Events Before

  1. Crusaders massacre Jews of Worms

    The Worms massacre was the murder of at least 800 to 1,000 Jews from Worms, Holy Roman Empire (now Germany), during the events of the First Crusade (More precisely by the People's Crusade) under...

  2. 1st Crusade slaughter Jews of Werelinghofen, Germany

    1st Crusade slaughter Jews of Werelinghofen, Germany

  3. The People's Crusade led by Peter the Hermit arrives at Constantinople with 30,000 followers

    Peter the Hermit (1050 – 8 July 1115 or 1131), also known as Little Peter, Peter of Amiens (French: Pierre d'Amiens) or Peter of Achères (French: Pierre d'Achères), was a Roman Catholic priest of...

  4. The first Crusaders arrive in Antioch, Ancient Syria, during the First Crusade

    The first Crusaders arrive in Antioch, Ancient Syria, during the First Crusade

  5. 1st Crusaders defeat Sultan Kilidj Arslan of Nicea

    1st Crusaders defeat Sultan Kilidj Arslan of Nicea

Events After

  1. First Crusade: 15,000 starving Christian soldiers march in religious procession around Jerusalem as its Muslim defenders

    First Crusade: 15,000 starving Christian soldiers march in religious procession around Jerusalem as its Muslim defenders look on

  2. City of Jerusalem is captured and plundered by Christian forces during the First Crusade

    The Massacre of Jerusalem was a mass slaughter of thousands of Muslims and Jews by the sieging Crusaders in mid-July 1099, following the Siege of Jerusalem during the First Crusade.

  3. Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the First Cru

    Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the First Crusade

  4. Crusaders set fire to Mara, Syria

    Crusaders set fire to Mara, Syria

  5. The First Crusaders begin the siege of Hosn al-Akrad, Syria

    The First Crusaders begin the siege of Hosn al-Akrad, Syria

More from the 1090s

First Crusade: 15,000 starving Christian soldiers march in religious procession around Jerusalem as its Muslim defenders

First Crusade: 15,000 starving Christian soldiers march in religious procession around Jerusalem as its Muslim defenders look on

City of Jerusalem is captured and plundered by Christian forces during the First Crusade

The Massacre of Jerusalem was a mass slaughter of thousands of Muslims and Jews by the sieging Crusaders in mid-July 1099, following the Siege of Jerusalem during the First Crusade.

Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the First Cru

Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the First Crusade

The first Crusaders arrive in Antioch, Ancient Syria, during the First Crusade

The first Crusaders arrive in Antioch, Ancient Syria, during the First Crusade

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on June 3, 1098?
The siege of Antioch took place during the First Crusade in 1097 and 1098, on the Crusaders' way to Jerusalem through Syria. Two sieges took place in succession. The Crusader sieged the city held by the Seljuk Empire from 20 October 1097 to 3 June 1098, when the Crusaders successfully took the city.
Why is Crusaders seize Antioch after a five-month siege during the First Crusade significant?
The siege of Antioch took place during the First Crusade in 1097 and 1098, on the Crusaders' way to Jerusalem through Syria.

Explore More

June 3 in HistoryYear 1098