Bohemond of Taranto: Crusader and Conqueror

Bohemond of Taranto was one of the most colorful and charismatic figures of the First Crusade. A Norman adventurer and warrior, he led his followers to conquer the city of Antioch and establish the Principality of Antioch. He was also one of the key leaders of the siege of Jerusalem.

Bohemond of Taranto: Crusader and Conqueror

by Anthony Slide

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	36175 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	212 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Bohemond was born in Taranto, Italy, in 1054. His father, Robert Guiscard, was a Norman adventurer who had conquered much of southern Italy and Sicily. Bohemond was raised in a warrior culture, and he quickly developed a reputation for his strength and courage.

In 1096, Pope Urban II called for a crusade to liberate the Holy Land from the Seljuk Turks. Bohemond was one of the first to answer the call. He gathered a large army of Normans and other adventurers and set off for the East.

The crusaders arrived in Constantinople in 1097. They were greeted with suspicion by the Byzantine emperor, Alexius I Comnenus. Alexius feared that the crusaders would turn against him and seize his empire. He demanded that the crusaders swear an oath of allegiance to him and promise to return any lands they conquered to the Byzantine Empire.

Bohemond was reluctant to swear an oath to Alexius. He believed that the crusaders had come to the East to liberate the Holy Land, not to conquer new lands for the Byzantine Empire. However, he eventually agreed to swear the oath, and the crusaders continued their march eastward.

The crusaders besieged the city of Antioch in 1098. The siege lasted for months, and the crusaders were on the verge of giving up. However, Bohemond led a daring attack that breached the city walls. The crusaders poured into Antioch and captured the city.

After the capture of Antioch, Bohemond established the Principality of Antioch. He became the first prince of Antioch, and he ruled the principality for the next 20 years. Bohemond was a wise and just ruler, and he quickly gained the respect of his subjects.

In 1104, Bohemond was captured by the Seljuk Turks. He was held captive for three years, but he was eventually released after paying a large ransom. After his release, Bohemond returned to Antioch and continued to rule the principality until his death in 1111.

Bohemond of Taranto was one of the most important figures of the First Crusade. He was a brave warrior, a skilled leader, and a wise ruler. His story is a testament to the power and ambition of the Norman people.

Bohemond of Taranto: Crusader and Conqueror

by Anthony Slide

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	36175 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	212 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE