![]() Philosophy, mathematics, poetry, medicine and science were all explored and expanded upon under Roger’s reign. From: the “Liber ad honorem Augusti” of Petrus of Ebulo, 1196įirst as the Count, later as the Duke of Apulia & Calabria and finally as the King of Sicily (a territory unifying all of the Norman conquests in Italy, Malta and Northern Africa) Roger surrounded himself with intellectuals. He was fond of Arabic language and culture, considered too cozy by many on mainland Europe, and was even referred to as ‘the Baptized Sultan of Sicily’. His reign is known for its religious tolerance (especially for Christian Europe) and its pursuit of knowledge. In an era of hereditary monarchy, a nation’s fortunes could rise and fall with the randomness of the firstborn son. Roger’s reign is considered one of the most able in medieval times. This cosmopolitan environment lingered on into the reign of the Normans and is the environment that Roger II grew up in, with Arab and Greek tutors. Under the Emirate, Sicily experienced economic growth as land reforms, irrigation, new crops and an international maritime economy ushered in previously unheard of wealth to the island. Muslim rule was widely regarded as more tolerant than it’s Christian contemporaries and there was thus, a relatively large Jewish population living on the island. Much of the population was Greek Orthodox. His son, Roger II, became the Count of Sicily in 1105, at the tender age of nine, following the death of his older brother Simon.īefore the Norman conquest, Sicily was ruled by the Emirate of Sicily, which had been in existence for over 200 years. This culminated with Tancred’s youngest son, Roger I, capturing Sicily from 1061 to 1091. Battle-tested, these adventurers would win land, fortune and fame and write home about it, thus attracting more Norman adventurers. He had 12 sons and numerous daughters, many of whom traveled to Italy as mercenaries in the service of various rival factions. Little is known about him, but the deeds of his children and further descendents are what survives today. The first member to see their name etched in the history books is Tancred. Reproduction in “Les Normands en Sicile”. Robert Guiscard And Count Roger, Early 19th century print by Lemercier.
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