The Crusaders Besiege Antioch
[6.14.1] Turcī dēnique, inimīcī Deī et sānctae Chrīstiānitātis, quī erant intus in cūstōdiā cīvitātis Antiochīae, audientēs dominum Boamundum et Flandrēnsem comitem in obsessiōne nōn esse, exiērunt dē cīvitāte, et audācter veniēbant proeliārī nōbīscum, īnsidiantēs undique in quā parte obsidiō esset languidior, scientēs prūdentissimōs mīlitēs forīs esse; invēnēruntque quod in ūnā Martis diē possent obsistere nōbīs et laedere. Vēnērunt vērō inīquissimī barbarī cautē, et irruērunt vehementer super nōs, et incautōs occīdērunt multōs ex nostrīs mīlitibus et peditibus. Epīscopus quoque Podiēnsis in illā amārā diē perdidit senescalcum suum, condūcentem et regentem ēius vēxillum. Et nisi esset flūmen quod erat inter nōs et illōs, saepius invāsissent nōs, atque maximam laesiōnem fēcissent in nostram gentem.
notes
(December 1097) The Turks learn that Bohemond and Robert of Flanders are away, so they make a surprise attack on the crusaders left behind, with some success.
quod: “that”; indirect statement with a verb of perception using quod + indic. (OLD quod 5)
in una: in ML unus –a –um can almost be used in the manner of an indefinite article (cf. French un, une etc.)
Martis die: “on a Tuesday”; December 29, 1097.
super nos: CL would be in nos.
nisi esset ... invāsissent nōs ... laesiōnem fēcissent: a mixed condition; CL would be fuisset.
vocabulary
īnsidior (1): to ambush; to be on the lookout for (OLD 5)
obsidiō –ōnis, f.: siege
forīs: outside; away (from home, etc.)
senescalcus –ī, m.: seneschal, chief steward (ML)
vexillum –ī, n.: banner
laesiō –ōnis, f.: harm, hurt
