Arsuf
Arsuf, also known as Arsur or Apollonia, was an ancient fortress and city within the Kingdom, and was located on a cliff above the Mediterranean Sea. In 1191, the plains which partially surrounded the city hosted the Battle of Arsuf.
History
Early history and development
Founded by Phoenicians in the 6th to 5th century B.C.E, Arsuf was initially a part of the Persian Empire. However, during the Hellenistic period, it became an anchorage town that was ruled by Seleucids and renamed Apollonia. Later, under Roman rule, the size of the town increased, becoming an important settlement along Via Maris, the coastal road.
In 113 C.E, the city was partially destroyed by an earthquake, but recovered quickly and developed trade with Italy and North Africa. Captured by Muslims in 640 C.E, the Semitic name of Arsuf was restored and the town was surrounded by a fortified wall to resist the constant attacks of Byzantine fleets from the sea.
In 1101, Arsuf fell to a army of Crusaders led by Baldwin I of Jerusalem. The Crusaders, who called it Arsur, rebuilt the city's walls and created the Lordship of Arsur in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, though in 1187, Arsuf was once again captured by the Muslim Saracens.[1]
Third Crusade
In 1191, a major battle took place close to the city, between the forces Richard the Lionheart and Saladin.
The Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad entered the area in search of Robert de Sable, who was reuniting with Richard for a briefing in the upcoming battle. Crusaders and Saracens scouting parties were scattered around the plains, with the bulk of the army moving through the coastal road.[2] Altaïr fought his way through the plains, slaying several groups of many soldiers, both Crusader and Saracen.
Reaching the encampment, the Assassin was surrounded by Templars, though Richard gave him a chance to speak. Altaïr accused de Sable of secretly plotting to undermine the English king, though his comment was dismissed by the Grand Master of the Templar Order, and to settle the affair, Richard set the two in a final battle, so the man "whose side God favors" would win.
While Altaïr was then confronted by a dozen Templars and de Sable, he managed to win the duel, despite possessing unfavorable odds. With his final breaths, Robert informed him that Al Mualim, the Mentor of the Levantine Assassins, was secretly a Templar all along. Following this, with Richard's consent, the Assassin left for Masyaf to confront his master.[2]
Modern times
Following the conflict, the Crusaders came out of it victorious and took control of Arsuf. By 1261, the city was ruled by the Knights Hospitalier, though it was captured by Sultan Baibars in 1265, after 40 days of siege. The Mamluks then completely destroyed the town, fearing for the return of the Crusaders.
The remains of the ruined fortress and of the ancient city still stood during modern times, within the jurisdiction of the Apollonia National Park in Herzliyya, Israel. In 1995, a new village named Arsuf was established north of the fortress.
Trivia
Arsuf could only be entered for a short period, as the Assassin's time there was brief. It appeared on the Animus map after his attempted assassination of Robert de Sable, which followed with his departure from Jerusalem.[2]
References
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