Historical Figures

Bohemund of Tarentum (1050 - 1111)

Eldest son of Robert Guiscard, Bohémond was one of the leaders of the First Crusade. He seized Antioch on June 2, 1098. He could not defend his Syrian principality for long against the double threat of the Byzantines and the Turks. Captured by the Emir of Sivas, he remained a prisoner from 1100 to 1103. He returned to Europe to seek reinforcements. He wanted to take the Byzantines from behind and mounted an expedition to Dalmatia which ended in failure. He had to recognize himself as a vassal of Emperor Alexios 1 Comnenus and never returned to the East.