"Duchy of Antioch"

--- CONTENT ---
The Duchy of Antioch was an administrative division of the Byzantine Empire during the period 969 when the area was recaptured by the Byzantines, until 1084 where it was occupied by the Turkmans, Seljuks and Arabs. It included lands of today's Syria. Lebanon, Turkey and Cyprus.

The Duchy was created, immediately after the occupation of Antioch, by Emperor Ioannis Tsimiskis bringing together thirty smaller Themes and generals of the region. The following areas, castles, villages and former themes are listed in Alexandria: the Artah Theme, the Theme We Live, the Teluch Theme, the Suetion, the Doux, the Caucasus, the Wonder Mountain, the General in the Black Mountain with its regions, Lulus, the Fercia, the General of St Elijah, the General of Sezer, the General of Vorze, Germany, the General Pagras, and the General and Former Theme Palaja.

The Duchy was originally governed by a general and then by a duke who had extensive responsibilities and a high position in the military hierarchy immediately after the Eastern general, later some commanders had his title up. Because the administrative province was on the border, the city of Antioch was the seat of the Duchy, had been fortified with strong walls, under the Duke's jurisdiction there were many castles. In the area it is testified that there were large royal estates and the city was founded by the so-called "royals". The Duchy maintained a Christian population but also a calculated Muslim.

In 1064 in the region of Beroia and at the borders of the Empire, Turkomani appeared, who then began raiding the Byzantine territories. Doux Nikiforitzis after their appearance did not face them but built new castles and forts waiting for attacks but something that caused discontent to the inhabitants. In 1065 and 1067 the Turks reached Antioch and looted the surrounding areas, while they also occupied Germany, in 1068 besieged Antioch itself without success. Turkish attacks and looting continued over the following years, captured Damascus and in battle with them General Constantine Diogenes was killed.

From 1071 to 1082 in Antioch despite the danger of the Turks, political quarrels prevailed with murders of dukes and unrest. In 1084 Seljuks who had begun to expand their state, began to occupy territory of the Duchy and in 1085 after a siege Antioch itself surrendered, it is reported that by order of the Sultan they did not harm the Christians nor plunder the city.

In 1108 Alexius I Komnenos granted by treaty the territory of the Duchy to Bohemundus, a crusader who had once conquered these lands from the Arabs.

Antioch Commanders
Known are the following governors of the Duchy:
Straight Maleinus, 969, the first duke
Douche, 977
Ubeidalah, 977-978
Leo Melissinos, 985-986, Duke
Michael