One aspect of the Second Crusade I found very strange was its primary target, Damascus. The Second Crusade was called after the Zengid Dynasty captured Edessa, so naturally it would have made sense to attack the Zengids themselves alongside their allies at the time, Damascus. I can understand why Damascus was such an appealing target, with it being one of the richest cities in the Middle East, but to attack a former ally strains the mind.
So, what if instead of the ill-advised siege that resulted in defeat, the Crusaders instead march on Edessa instead and try and cripple Zengid power in Syria? Whilst this would likely be more difficult, with a bit of luck and common sense the Crusaders could have pulled it off. Could the Crusaders have done it? What would the effects of a successful Crusade in Syria have on both the Seljuks in the north and Damascus in the south? What do you think?
So, what if instead of the ill-advised siege that resulted in defeat, the Crusaders instead march on Edessa instead and try and cripple Zengid power in Syria? Whilst this would likely be more difficult, with a bit of luck and common sense the Crusaders could have pulled it off. Could the Crusaders have done it? What would the effects of a successful Crusade in Syria have on both the Seljuks in the north and Damascus in the south? What do you think?