Page "Maarrat al-Nu'man" Paragraph 5

The most infamous event from the city's history dates from late 1098, during the First Crusade.

After the Crusaders, led by Raymond de Saint Gilles and Bohemond of Taranto, successfully besieged Antioch they found themselves with insufficient supplies of food.

Their raids on the surrounding countryside during the winter months did not help the situation.

By December 12 when they reached Ma ` arra, many of them were suffering from starvation and malnutrition.

They managed to breach the city's walls and massacred about 8000 inhabitants.

However, this time, as they could not find enough food, they resorted to cannibalism.