Page 38 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

36  INTRODUCING SICIL Y

Medieval Sicily

In 827 the frequent Arab raids became a real campaign
to conquer Sicily, which ended successfully in 902. Arab
dominion coincided with the rebirth of the island after
the decadence of the final years of Byzantine rule. In 1061
the Christian crusade began, with the Normans conquering
Sicily 30 years later. The Kingdom of Sicily was established in
1130 and reached its zenith with the splendour of Frederick The Arab Regions of Sicily
II’s court. In 1266 the Angevin dynasty took power, followed Val Demone
by the Aragonese, initiating a long period of decline in Val di Noto
which powerful feudal landowners ruled the island. Val di Mazara

Tancred
The natural son of Roger III of
Puglia, Tancred was appointed
king of Sicily by the feudal
barons in 1190. He was the
last Norman to rule Sicily.
When he died, the emperor
Henry VI, son of Barbarossa
and father of Federico II,
ascended the throne.

Sicily under Arab Rule
During the century of
Arab dominion Sicily
was the richest and
most tolerant land in
the Mediterranean.
The governing
administration was
reorganized and the
arts and culture The poor and ill
flourished to an are spared.
exceptional degree,
as can be seen in this The dog leads the man
decorated coffer. in the night of death.

725 Worship of sacred images is 831 Palermo 902 Taormina 1091 After 30 years of
prohibited. The possessions of the becomes surrenders, Arab warfare, Sicily is once again a
Sicilian church are confiscated by the capital of the conquest Christian land thanks to the
patriarchate in Constantinople Arab emirate completed Norman Roger I

700 800 900 1000
827 Arab 1038–1043 Eastern Sicily is 1130 Roger II
conquest of temporarily reconquered is crowned
Sicily begins by Byzantium King of Sicily.
Palermo is the
The Virgin of capital
Odigitria, Lentini Coin with Arab inscriptions

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