Byzantine expansion on the Syrian coast disputed by Tancred

Summary:
Alexios I instructed Raymond of Toulouse to hand over Laodikeia to Andronikos Tzintziloukes, and Maraqiyya and Balaneos to the men of Eumathios Philokales from Cyprus. Raymond should then go on to subdue other local fortifications, as best he could. The instructions were carried out. But Tancred [probably on his own initiative as regent in Antioch, not on Bohemond's instructions, as he had been imprisoned] besieged Laodikeia. He began by trying to provoke the Byzantine defenders to a battle, then settled down to a long siege, in which he showed extreme determination 
Dates:
1101 (Uncertain) 
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (Alexios 1)
  • He instructed Raymond 61 to hand over Laodikeia to Andronikos 15004, and Maraqiyya and Balaneos to the men of Eumathios 102 from Cyprus; Raymond should then go on to subdue the other local fortifications, as best he could; Raymond carried out instructions (:) Anna Komnene 343.83-344.88
Andronikos Tzintziloukes, envoy of Alexios I to Syria (Andronikos 15004)
  • Was instructed to receive Laodikeia from Isangeles (Raymond 61) on the written orders of Alexios 1 (:) ὁ αὐτοκράτωρ τῷ Ἰσαγγέλῃ ἐπέσκηψε τὴν μὲν Λαοδίκειαν Ἀνδρονίκῳ τῷ Τζιντζιλούκῃ ἀναθέσθαι Anna Komnene 343.83-85
Bohemond of Taranto (Bohemond 61)
  • When he heard that Alexios 1's general Tzintziloukes (Andronikos 15004) had entered Laodikeia, he sent his nephew Tangres (Tancred 61) with large forces to besiege the town himself [probably confused: this is likely to have occurred when Bohemond was in captivity and Tancred was regent for him] (:) Anna Komnene 345.29-33
  • Showed the hatred he had long harboured against Alexios 1 (:) ἣν πάλαι κατὰ τοῦ αὐτοκράτορος ἐγκυμονήσας εἶχεν Anna Komnene 345.30-31
Eumathios Philokales, sebastos, military leader under Alexios I (Eumathios 102)
  • He was instructed by Alexios 1 to send men from Cyprus to take over Balaneos and Maraqiyya from Raymond 61; he carried out these orders (:) Anna Komnene 343.85-344.86
Raymond of Saint-Gilles, count of Toulouse (Raymond 61)
  • He was asked by Alexios 1 to hand over Laodikeia to Andronikos 15004, and Maraqiyya and Balaneos to the men of Eumathios 102; he complied with these instructions (:) Anna Komnene 343.83-344.88
Tancred of Hauteville, nephew of Bohemond of Taranto (Tancred 61)
  • He attacked Laodikeia, which had been handed over by Raymond 61 to Andronikos 15004 [Anna Komnene gives the initiative to Bohemond 61, who sent Tancred, but the attack probably took place while Tancred was regent for Bohemond, who was imprisoned] (:) Anna Komnene 345.29-33
  • In his attack on Laodikeia he sent out skirmishers to try to provoke the defenders to leave the city to fight him, but the Byzantine defenders were well disciplined; the siege than became a series of violent assaults repulsed by stones and other missiles; Tancred showed extreme determination (:) Ralph of Caen 144