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Ilghazi's Great Victory at the Field of Blood
In 1119 Artuqid emir Ilghazi defeated the Crusader army led by Antioch's regent Roger of Salerno in northern Syria using mobile cavalry tactics, know…
Timeline
- 1119Mardin–Aleppo frontier · SyriaUsing the Artuqid family network, Ilghazi gathered Turkmen nomadic cavalry and local emir contingents, devised a plan to lure the Crusaders deep into his territory in response to their relief of Aleppo, and chose open ground north of Samada for an ambush.
- 1119Field of Blood battlefield · SyriaTurkic light cavalry feigned retreat to draw the Crusader heavy cavalry away from their infantry, then struck from both flanks; Roger of Salerno was killed, many Antiochene noble knights fell, and Islamic sources call it a decisive victory over the Franks.
- 1119Aleppo region · AleppoAfter the great victory Ilghazi's prestige soared and pressure toward Aleppo eased; though the Crusaders still held Antioch city, their field capability was damaged and Muslim factions regained some strategic initiative in northern Syria.
Sources
- Ibn al-Qalanisi, Dhayl Tarikh Dimashq — Hamdallah Mustawfi ibn al-Qalanisi
- Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh — Izz al-Din ibn al-Athir