THE BYZANTINES

535 - 827

The decadence of the Roman Empire and the raids, the battles which raged the world at that time, naturally concerned also Sicily.  In 280 Sicily was crossed by a horde of Franks and during the 5th century the Vandals settled on the western coasts. In 535 the Byzantines conquered the island with an expedition sent by Justinian I in 534 and headed by Belisarius. The capital of this province was Siracusa: ruled by a strategist or a patrician. There follows a total abandon and the complete decadence of the economic life. Once again the Greek element prevailed over the Latin one, both in arts and civilization. In 663 Syracuse was proclaimed capital of the Empire by the Emperor Constans II who wanted to avoid the Arab pressure and dreamt about bringing the Imperial centre to Rome, defeating the Lombards. Constantine IV Pogonato ("The Bearded") moved Syracusa back to capital of the Province. The fate of the island got worse because of the Exarcate of Ravenna, the Empire of Constantinople, and the continuous military revolts, until when in 826 Euphemius led the takeover of the Arabs. Euphemius from Messina, heading the revolt of the nobles (and not only) for the widespread complain towards the Byzantines, was defeated in Siracusa by Fotino, sent from Byzantium. He took refuge in Africa and asked for help at the Kadi of Koruian. His demand was accepted and a fleet of seventy ships reached Mazara del Vallo on july 17 827.