Norman Conquest of Sicily

The Norman Conquest of Sicily occurred in the 11th century when Norman knights, originally from France, gradually took control of the island from Arab and Byzantine rulers. Beginning in the 1060s, the Normans, led by rulers like Roger Guiscard and his son Roger II, unified Sicily under their rule through military campaigns and strategic alliances. This conquest transformed Sicily into a Norman kingdom, blending Latin, Greek, Arab, and Norman cultures. It marked a significant shift in Mediterranean politics, fostering economic prosperity, cultural exchange, and the development of a diverse, cosmopolitan society on the island.