Yağısıyan

Yağısıyan was a Turkish commander in the 11th century. Although little is known about his personal life he was an important figure of the First Crusade.

He was the Seljuk governor of Antakya (Antioch).

In 1080s most of Anatolia and Syria were ruled by two relatives of the Great Seljuk Empire sultan Malik-Shah I; Anatolia was ruled by Süleyman of Anatolia, the sultan's cousin and Syria by Tutush I the sultan's brother. Between the two regions Antakya (Antioch) was still a Byzantine fort and both rulers were trying to capture the city. It was Süleyman who succeeded to conquer the city in 1084 on behalf of Malik-Shah I. Yağısiyan was appointed as the governor of the city by Malik Shah in 1086.

Süleyman was killed in a battle against Tutush in 1086 and Tutush, too, was killed in a battle in 1095. Tutush's two sons Duqaq and Ridwan of Aleppo partitioned their father's realm. While Duqaq kept Damascus, Aleppo was Rıdvan’s share. However two brothers continued to fight to expand their realm and Yağışiyan being the governor of a nearby city was involved in these struggles. Although he collaborated with Rıdvan to capture Urfa (Edessa) in 1096, next year he changed sides and supported Duqaq against Rıdvan and Rıdvan’s ally Sökmen of Artukids. But his army was defeated. He had to accept Rıdvan’s supremacy.

When the news about the approaching army of the First Crusade reached Antakya, Yağısıyan tried to form a united front to defend Antakya. But because of jealousies between the Seljuk governors and the anachy in the main sultanate after the death of Malik Shah he got very little support.Sökmen whose principality is to the east and far from the crusades’ route refused to assist Yağısıyan. Even Rıdvan, whose domain is next to Antakya, sent only a small troop . According to David Nicolle mistrust between Yağısiyan and Rıdvan influenced the First Crusade. The siege of Antakya began in the 1997-1998 winter. Only after the beginning of the siege Rıdvan tried to attack the crusaders from Allepo. But he was defeated in a battle fought on 8–9 February 1098. Yağısiyan also asked reinforcements from the Great Seljuk Empire. But the main Seljukid army under the commanship of Kerbogha, the Musul governor, was too late. This left Yağısıyan all by himself. Even then, Yağısiyan continued to resist the siege successfully. During the siege the crusaders suffered from the lack of food. However on June 3, Firouz a convert in Yağısiyan’s army helped Bohemond's men to open the gates of the city to crusaders.

Yağısığan was misinformed about the inner fort which was still resisting under the supervision of his son. Thinking that the whole Antakya was about to be surrendered he escaped from the city. But he fainted during the escape and was beheaded by an Christian woodman who took his head to Bohemond I of Antioch.

Antakya surrendered on 30 June. Bohemund thus declared the creation of the Principality of Antioch, which went on to exist for another 170 years.