The Moors in Italy: The History of the Muslims Who Moved from North Africa to Italy during the Middle Ages by Charles River Editors

Author:Charles River Editors
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Charles River Editors
Published: 2023-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

With the unrest in Sicily quelled, Emir Ibrahim II laid siege to Taormina in 902, and when it fell the last serious stronghold in Sicily was in Muslim hands. The Byzantines remained in possession of some small citadels, but Sicily had in effect been finally conquered. The feat had taken 75 years and had been by no means assured at the outset. This was in stark contrast to the quickness with which the Muslims conquered the Maghreb and Iberia.

At first the Christians in Sicily by and large resisted converting to Islam, unlike in the Maghreb and Andalusia, where a significant portion of the population quickly converted. This may have been due to the long war of resistance, the persistence of the Byzantine presence, and the irregular attempts of the emperor to harass the Muslims. Later however, a significant proportion converted, whether through the desire to be freed from the heavy dhimmi tax or by force. The Christian population was divided between Catholics who observed the Latin rituals of the Pope and the Greek-speaking adherents of the Eastern Orthodox rites. There was also a small Jewish population.

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