What's the latest point that an Islamic Sicily could survive, and perhaps expand farther into southern Italy?
What's the latest point that an Islamic Sicily could survive, and perhaps expand farther into southern Italy?
Islamic Sicily, IIRC, was, actually, a formidable economic powerhouse in the Medieval Mediterranean, with a growing textile industry, a strategic position for trade, and a good diversity of crops. Some travellers recorded that the capital of the emirate, Palermo, was quite prosperous.I mean Syracuse was neither a major player, why would Islamic Sicily be.
Islamic Sicily, IIRC, was, actually, a formidable economic powerhouse in the Medieval Mediterranean, with a growing textile industry, a strategic position for trade, and a good diversity of crops. Some travellers recorded that the capital of the emirate, Palermo, was quite prosperous.
Therefore, i think the Emirate of Sicily could have survived with better luck and experience from its rulers.
They'd need to find a steady source of timber that dosen't cut too deeply into the islands disproportinately orchard crop dependent agriculture... a stronger trading partner in the south of France perhaps?
None of which they can really get due to Ghazis and Slave raiding.
Islamic Sicily, IIRC, was, actually, a formidable economic powerhouse in the Medieval Mediterranean, with a growing textile industry, a strategic position for trade, and a good diversity of crops. Some travellers recorded that the capital of the emirate, Palermo, was quite prosperous.
Therefore, i think the Emirate of Sicily could have survived with better luck and experience from its rulers.
Unless you have an Islamic polity there . Granted, that requires breaking or hamstring the Frankish Empire in one way or another via historical events outside Sicilian control
What's the latest point that an Islamic Sicily could survive, and perhaps expand farther into southern Italy?