The siege of Edessa took place from 28 November to 24 December 1144, resulting in the fall of the capital of the County of Edessa to Zengi, the atabeg of Mosul and Aleppo. This event was the catalyst for the Second Crusade.
Qiwam al-Dawla Kerbogha (Turkish: Kürboğa), known as Kerbogha or Karbughā, was the Turkoman atabeg of Mosul during the First Crusade and was renowned as a soldier.