Bohemond IV of Antioch

Bohemond IV of Antioch, often referred to as Bohemond the One-Eyed, was born in 1172 and emerged as a significant political figure in the Crusader states. He was the younger son of Bohemond III of Antioch and became Count of Tripoli from 1187 until his death in 1233, while also holding the title of Prince of Antioch during two separate periods: from 1201 to 1216 and again from 1219 to 1233.

In late 1187, following the death of Raymond III of Tripoli, Bohemond was sent to Tripoli, where he faced the formidable Ayyubid sultan Saladin, who conquered much of the county by the summer of 1188. After the death of his elder brother Raymond in early 1197, Bohemond found himself in a complex succession struggle, as the Latin and Greek burghers of Antioch proclaimed him heir to his father, despite the claims of his brother's posthumous son, Raymond-Roupen.

Upon his father's death in April 1201, Bohemond seized control of Antioch with the backing of local burghers, the Knights Templar, the Hospitallers, and Italian merchants. His reign was marked by strategic alliances, including one with Az-Zahir Ghazi, the Ayyubid emir of Aleppo, and Kaykaus I, the Seljuq sultan of Rum, aimed at countering threats from Leo I of Cilicia.

Despite his efforts, Bohemond faced significant challenges, including conflicts with the Latin Patriarchs of Antioch, which allowed Raymond-Roupen to temporarily seize Antioch in 1216. However, Bohemond regained the principality in 1219. His later years were marred by personal tragedy, as he attempted to secure Cilicia for his younger son Philip, only to see him imprisoned and ultimately murdered in 1225.