9th century – 9th century
Sicily and the central Mediterranean
The Aghlabid conquest of Sicily began in 827 after the island's patrician Euphemius sought intervention from Ifriqiya. Commanded initially by Asad b. al-Furat, the campaign confronted Byzantine resistance and continued for approximately five decades. The capture of Syracuse in 878 marked the completion of the conquest described in the chapter and enabled further Aghlabid operations in Calabria and southern Italy.
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The Story
The Aghlabid intervention in Sicily began in 827 when Euphemius, the patrician of Sicily, offered an opportunity for intervention. The campaign was led by Asad b. al-Furat, a qadi who supported the expedition despite opposition from many jurists concerned with existing treaties. The operation was not a rapid raid but a difficult conquest conducted against Byzantine resistance.
The struggle continued for approximately fifty years. Aghlabid forces eventually captured Syracuse in 878, bringing the campaign described in the passage to its conclusion. During the wider Sicilian conflict, the dynasty also established itself in Calabria and used southern Italy as a base for attacks on coastal towns.
The conquest connected Kairouan's political and military power to the central Mediterranean. It placed Ifriqiyan armies and fleets in sustained contact with Byzantine territories and Italian ports, while the wider conflict coexisted with commercial exchanges, truces, embassies, and alliances across the region.
9th century – 9th century
Sicily and the central Mediterranean
The Aghlabid conquest of Sicily began in 827 after the island's patrician Euphemius sought intervention from Ifriqiya. Commanded initially by Asad b. al-Furat, the campaign confronted Byzantine resistance and continued for approximately five decades. The capture of Syracuse in 878 marked the completion of the conquest described in the chapter and enabled further Aghlabid operations in Calabria and southern Italy.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Aghlabid intervention in Sicily began in 827 when Euphemius, the patrician of Sicily, offered an opportunity for intervention. The campaign was led by Asad b. al-Furat, a qadi who supported the expedition despite opposition from many jurists concerned with existing treaties. The operation was not a rapid raid but a difficult conquest conducted against Byzantine resistance.
The struggle continued for approximately fifty years. Aghlabid forces eventually captured Syracuse in 878, bringing the campaign described in the passage to its conclusion. During the wider Sicilian conflict, the dynasty also established itself in Calabria and used southern Italy as a base for attacks on coastal towns.
The conquest connected Kairouan's political and military power to the central Mediterranean. It placed Ifriqiyan armies and fleets in sustained contact with Byzantine territories and Italian ports, while the wider conflict coexisted with commercial exchanges, truces, embassies, and alliances across the region.
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