The Battle of al-Atharib occurred in 1130 when Imad al-Din Zengi laid siege to al-Atharib in spring and defeated an army led against him to relieve the town commanded by King Baldwin.[1]
Imad al-Din Zengi sought to reassert Muslim control over the eastern frontier of the Principality of Antioch.[1] Zengi invaded and raided the territories of Antioch; in the Spring of 1130, he laid siege to al-Atharib.[1][2]
When the Franks and King Baldwin, who was in command of a Latin army, advanced to relieve the city, the officers of Zengi advised him to retreat; however, Baldwin scorned their advice.[3] A battle followed and Zengi emerged victorious.[3][2][1] After conquering the citadel of al-Atharib, Zengi destroyed it and razed it to the ground.[4]
Zengi then advanced on the fortress of Harim but its inhabitants persuaded him to abandon his siege in return for half of the districts revenues.[3] A truce was concluded and Zengi returned to his territories.[3]
References
- 1.[1.2][1.3][1.4]Asbridge, Thomas S. The creation of the principality of Antioch, 1098-1130. Boydell & Brewer Ltd, 2000, p. 90
- 2.[2.2]Lock, Peter. The Routledge companion to the Crusades. Routledge, 2013.
- 3.[3.2][3.3][3.4]Baldwin, Marshall W. "A History of the Crusades, Volume 1." University of Pennsylvania Press, 2016. p. 431
- 4.Hillenbrand, Carole. The Crusades: Islamic Perspectives. p. 533 Edinburgh University Press, 1999.