Multicultural and Cross-Cultural Aspects of the Normans in Southern Italy, Sicily & North Africa

Introduction to the Mediterranean World

By the time the Normans entered into the Mediterranean Sea, the factions that made up the region were vast and diverse. Different forms of governments, laws, cultures, religions, and economies dotted the many coastal and landlocked cities. From Spain in the west to Syria in the east, the fight for land, money, and power was everywhere. The Iberian Peninsula had Christian powers struggling to maintain power in a region dominated by the Umayyads Dynasty. The south of France and most of Italy fell under the jurisdiction of the Holy Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire remained strong along Eastern Europe and Anatolia, while their Muslim rivals began to build momentum across the Levant, Egypt, and North Africa.
Throughout the history of the Middle Ages, major kingdoms and empires fought for control of the many islands that dotted the Mediterranean Sea. These islands were important in order for these powers to maintain naval dominance while also serving as pivotal trade posts for trade and exploration through the Mediterranean world. Among these islands were roughly six key spheres of influence for others to control. These islands were the Balearic Islands (part of modern-day Spain), Sicily (part of Italy), Sardinia (also part of Italy), Malta, Crete (part of Greece), and Cyprus. Each of these islands would see a fair share of local and foreign rulers throughout their history in the Middle Ages.

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