Bohemond I., eldest son of Robert Guiscard (q.v.), was born about 1056, and during his youth distinguished himself in his father's war against the
Byzantine emperor, Alexius Comnenus (1081-85). After his father's death he was excluded from the throne of Apulia by his brother Roger, and only gained the principality of Tarentum after a long contest. He joined the crusade of 1092 with a large army—most of which he had won over from his brother's service—and took a prominent part in the capture of Antioch (1098). While the other crusaders advanced to storm Jerusalem, Bohemond remained in Antioch, where he established himself as prince, and routed the besieging forces of the sultan. He was afterwards made prisoner by a Turkish emir, and remained two years in captivity. Tancred, meanwhile, looked after his interests in Antioch. Bohemond returned to Europe to collect troops, and after defeating Alexius in several engagements, was acknowledged by that emperor as Prince of Antioch. He died in Apulia (1111). His son assumed the government of Antioch in 1126, and was killed in battle (1130).