The Diversity of the Norman Army
One of the most famous non-Norman military officers who served under Robert Guiscard was George of Antioch. Born to Byzantine Christians in Antioch, his family moved to Tunisia following the First Crusade to serve under the current Zirid emir, Tamim ibn Muizz. Following his departure from Tunisia to the Norman lands of Italy, he found immediate employment within the Norman administration under Roger II. George provided a bevy of key skills and connections for the Normans, including knowledge of the Zirid administration, his connections in Egypt, and his knowledge of the Greek and Arabic languages. He later served as second-in-command in 1123 CE in the navy under another Greek, named Christodulus, who also served the Normans in Italy. George continued to obtain a series of achievements for the Normans, serving as an envoy to the Fatimid court in Cairo and also becoming emir (ruler) of Palermo in 1127 CE, despite being a Byzantine Christian and not Muslim.