volume one

HISTOEY OF THE CEUSADES. 147
is astonished to see the wise Godfrey claim such a frivolous
object with so much heat ; and in his surprise he compares
the weakness of the hero to the slumbers of the good Homer.
His thought would have been more just if he had compared
the discords and quarrels of the leaders of the crusade to
those which troubled the camp of the Greeks, and so long
retarded the taking of Troj. Wliilst these quarrels engaged
the attention of the whole Christian armv, the inhabitants
of Antioch were introducing reinforcements into the city,
and preparing for a fresh resistance. When they had
received the succours and provisions necessary to defend
themselves and prolong the siege, they broke the truce, and
again began the war, with all the advantages that a peace
too easily granted them had procured.
Antioch, after a siege of seven months, would have
escaped from the hands of the Christians, if stratagem,
policy, and ambition had not effected for tkem that which
patience and bravery had been iniable to achieve. Bohemond,
whose sole motive for undertaking the crusade had been a
desire to improve his fortunes, was constantly on the watch
for an opportunity of realizing his projects. Baldwin's
great success had awakened his jealousy, and haunted him
even in his sleep. He dared to direct his views to the possession
of xlntioch, and was so far favoured by circumstances,
as to meet with a man who might be able to place this city
in his power. This man, whose name was Phirous, was,
whatever some historians who give him a noble origin may
say, the son of an Armenian, who was by trade a maker of
cuirasses.* Of a restless and busy character, he was constantly
anxious to change and improve his condition. He
had abjured the Christian religion from a spirit of incon-
* Matthew of Edessa does not name the Mussulman who gave up
Antioch to the Christians. Abulfaradge calls him Ruzebach, and says
that he was a Persian by origin. Anna Comnena pretends that he was an
Armenian. Most historians call him Pyrrus, or Phirous. William of
Tyre gives him the name of Emir Feir, and Sanuti calls him Hermuferus.
It mav most probably be said that he had abjured Christianity. If authors
are not agreed as to his name, it may be believed that some have called
him by his proper name, and that others have designated him by a name
which expressed his profession. WiUiam of Tyre says that he was bora
of a family called in Armenian Beni Zerra, that is, the family of the makert
of cuirasses,
8*