The Principality of Antioch and Its Frontiers in the Twelfth Century - by Andrew D Buck (Hardcover)

About the Book

An investigation into how Antioch maintained itself as an independent principality during a period of considerable challenges.

Book Synopsis

An investigation into how Antioch maintained itself as an independent principality during a period of considerable challenges.

Situated in northern Syria, on the eastern-most frontier of Latin Christendom, the principality of Antioch was a medieval polity bordered by a host of rival powers, including the Byzantine Empire, the Armenian Christians of Cilicia, the rulers of the neighbouring Islamic world and even the other crusader states, the kingdom of Jerusalem and the counties of Edessa and Tripoli. Coupled with the numerous Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities who populatedthe region, Antioch's Frankish settlers - initially installed into power by the military successes of the First Crusade - thus faced numerous challenges to their survival.
This book examines how the ruling elites of the principality sought to manage these competing interests in order to maintain Antioch's existence during the troubled twelfth century, particularly following the death of Prince Bohemond II in 1130. His demise helped to spark renewed interest from Byzantium and the kingdom of Jerusalem, and came at a time of both Islamic resurgence under the Zengids of Aleppo and Mosul, as well as Armenian power growth under the Rupenids. An examination of Antioch's diplomatic and military endeavours, its internal power structures and its interaction with indigenous peoples can therefore help to reveal a great deal about how medieval Latins adapted to the demands of their frontiers.

ANDREW BUCK is an Associate Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, from where he received his PhD in 2014.

Review Quotes

[An] impressive and highly revisionist monograph.. It has a wealth of detail, it offers careful and balanced argument, and presents some genuinely significant revision. Consequently, this book represents a major contribution to its field.-- "AL-MASAQ"

A valuable addition to the body of work on Outremer...[It] will find a ready audience amongst students and researchers of the eastern Mediterranean and frontier societies as well as of the Crusades and the political culture of the central Middle Ages.-- "HISTORY"

Buck's thoughtful revision of the traditional historiography is based on solid research of the primary sources.-- "AMERICAN HISTORICAL REVIEW"

In all, this is a well-written, thoroughly researched, and interesting account of Antioch's decline during the twelfth century. Scholars of Antioch will obviously have reason to read it, but it also has much to offer researchers in the Crusader States more generally, as well as anyone interested in medieval borders, or the practicalities of exerting control over medieval territories.-- "JOURNAL OF MILITARY HISTORY"

Makes an important contribution to historical writing on those states by advocating the insights which may be gained from expanding the scope of enquiry beyond the kingdom of Jerusalem.-- "ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW"

Provides a useful examination of the concerns of a frontier state in a state of frequent crisis.-- "DE RE MILITARI"

Through his analysis, Buck highlights and addresses how the principality - with its systems and governments, survived and adapted to losses in territory and changing circumstances around it - and what it fundamentally meant to rule in the east of Latin Christendom.-- "MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL"