Firouz

Firouz (sometimes referred to as Ruzbah) was a wealthy Armenian Christian convert to Islam[1] and armor maker who held a high post in Yaghi-Siyan's Seljuk Turkish government during the Crusades. Notably, he also served as a spy for Bohemond during the Siege of Antioch.[2] Bohemond had offered Firouz riches and safety guarantees in return for his assistance.[3] Firouz was disgruntled with his position in Yaghi-Siyan's government, because he had been recently fined and his wife seduced by a senior Turkish officer.[4] On June 3, 1098, Firouz, unsatisfied with his commanding officer, hung a rope ladder for Bohemond's men who subsequently climbed up into the city and opened its gates. Allowing the crusaders into the city, the local Armenians joined in the massacring of the Turks.[5] The city subsequently became the center of the Principality of Antioch.

For other uses, see Firouz (disambiguation).

See also

References
  1. The Moslem World, Volume 58, pg.63, Samuel Marinus Zwemer, Christian Literature Society for India, Hartford Seminary Foundation, Published for the Nile Mission Press by the Christian Literature Society for India, 1911
  2. The complete idiot's guide to the Crusades By Paul L. Williams, pg. 73
  3. The far-farers: a journey from Viking Iceland to Crusader Jerusalem, Vol 2003, Part 2, pg. 459, by Victoria Clark
  4. The Crusades, by Antony Bridge, pg. 314
  5. The Armenian kingdom in Cilicia during the Crusade, pg. 103, by Jacob G. Ghazarian


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