The First Crusade, launched in 1095 by Pope Urban II, aimed to reclaim Jerusalem for Christendom. However, before the Holy City could be reached, a formidable obstacle stood in the Crusaders' path: the ancient city of Antioch. The Siege of Antioch 1098 was not merely...
The Byzantine Empire in the late 11th century was a realm scarred by recent defeats, notably the Battle of Manzikert, which had seen much of Anatolia fall to the Seljuk Turks. The capital, Constantinople, felt increasingly vulnerable, prompting Emperor Alexios I...
The late 11th century witnessed a pivotal moment in European and Middle Eastern history, a turning point ignited by a single, powerful sermon. In November 1095, at the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II delivered an impassioned address that resonated throughout...
