The March to Jerusalem

[10.31.4]  Hoc tōtum laudāvit Boamundus, et prōmīsērunt ambō, in manibus epīscopōrum, quod nūllō modō per sē via Sānctī Sepulchrī dēturbārētur. Tunc accēpit Boamundus cōnsilium cum suīs hominibus, quōmodo mūnīret castrum dē altā montaneā hominibus et vīctū. Similiter comes Sānctī Egidīī accēpit cōnsilium cum suīs, quōmodo mūnīret palātium Cassiānī ammiralīī, et turrim quae est super portam pontis quī est ex parte portūs sānctī Symeōnis—mūnīret, inquam, hominibus et vīctū, quī nōn dēficeret longō tempore.

    (October 1098)  Bohemond is happy about this decision and he and Raymond of Toulouse both promise not hinder the march to Jerusalem. Bohemond and Raymond also decide on how to garrison their respective holdings in Antioch.

     

    prōmīsērunt ambō in manibus epīscopōrum: both of them they put their hands in those of the bishop, as a pledge of good faith.

    castrum dē altā montaneā: the citadel.

    palātium Cassiānī ammiralīī: the residence of the emir Yaghi Siyan.

    turrim quae est super portam pontis: the fort called Mahommeries, opposite the Bridge Gate.

    quī est ex parte portūs sānctī Symeōnis: “which is in the direction of the port of Saint Simeon."

    mūnīret, inquam: = (quōmodo) munīret, inquam. Our author dramatically repeats the verb, adding “I tell you,” for emphasis. It is not clear to me why he is so excited; could he have been part of this garrison? Hill notes that it is about this time that our author changes allegiance from Bohemond to Raymond.

    quī nōn dēficeret longō tempore: “so that it would not fall short for a long time”; quī refers back to turrim, and introduces a relative clause of purpose.

    ambō: both

    mūniō (4): to wall, fortify

    montanea –ae, f.: mountain (ML)

    vīctus –ūs, m.: provisions, food

    turris turris, f.: a tower

    dēficiō dēficere dēfēcī dēfectum: to be lacking, run short (OLD 3)

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