The Battle of the Field of Blood 513 AH/1119 AD

Abstract

Abstract: The Battle of the Field of Blood or Sarmada, in which Muslims defeated the Crusaders in 513 AH / 1119 AD, was one of the significant historical battles as it came after the Crusaders invaded the Sham and established four Crusader emirates: Al-Raha and Tripoli, Bayt Al-Maqdis and Antioch. The Muslim front was in its weakest status due to rupture and conflicts among Muslim leaders, which consequently led to weary determination and firmness. In this material and moral collapse, Najm ad-Din Ilghazi ibn Artuq, ruler of Aleppo could unify the word of the Muslims and annihilate Roger of Salerno's Crusader army of the Principality of Antioch, who fell dead in the field of the battle. Few knights could escape. The massacre led to the name of the battle, given by the Europeans, “the field of blood". The balance has shifted and the Muslims regained self-confidence; it gave them lessons in solidarity and unification, and broke the barrier of fear made by the Crusaders. It was an important step towards the Islamic victories and the liberation of Jerusalem from the hands of the Crusaders thereafter.