Antioch, principality of

A Greek enclave in what is now Syria. Its capture by Crusaders in 1098 marked the beginning of a Frankish state in north Syria. Byzantium claimed suzerainty but only periodically could emperors assert their authority. Despite military setbacks in 1119 and 1164 the principality survived Muslim attack until 1268, when it fell to the Mamluke sultan Baibars.