Sicily and the Staging of Multiculturalism
Lev Kapitaikin
The Normans appeared in the fragmented arena of south Italy around millennium's turn, and embarked on conquest Islamic Sicily (827-1061) beginning 1060. With foundation unified kingdom (regno) Sicily–south by King Roger II (r. 1130-1154) 1130, eclectic appropriation Byzantine royal trappings became integral to projecting a sublime image Sicilian monarchy, modeled after absolutist-sacral kingships East, rather than weaker feudal monarchies Latin West. “Fortunate city, endowed with trilingual people” – hence panegyrist Peter Eboli epitomized late twelfth century multicultural ambience Palermo during twilight days Norman Sicily. Yet Amarian nostalgic concept as “lost haven” ethnoreligious cohabitation toleration was criticized naive simplistic modern historians like Henri Bresc, Hubert Houben, Jeremy Johns, Alex Metcalfe.