Byzantine Battles: Siege of Syracuse

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4 th century

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5 th century

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6 th century

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7 th century

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8 th century

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9 th century

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10 th century

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11 th century

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12 th century

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13 th century

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14 th century

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15 th century

Siege of Syracuse	year: 827-828
The Arabs failed to capture Syracuse but set foot in Sicily	★ ★ ★ ★ ★

enemy: Arabs (Aghlabids)	location: Syracuse, Sicily	accuracy: ●●●●●
battle type: Siege	war: Muslim conquest of Sicily	modern country: Italy

	▼ The Byzantines(emperor: Michael II the Stammerer)	▼ The Enemies
Commander:	Unknown	Asad ibn al-Furat
Forces:	Unknown	10,000+700 cavalry+100 ships
Losses:

Background story:

The Muslim conquest of Sicily and parts of southern Italy lasted 75 years. The conquest was spurred by Euphemius, the Byzantine commander of the fleet of Sicily, who feared punishment by Emperor Michael II for a sexual indiscretion. After a short-lived conquest of Syracuse, he was self-proclaimed emperor but was compelled by loyal forces to flee to Africa to the court of the emir of the Aghlabids Ziyadat Allah.
The latter agreed to help him to conquer Sicily, with the promise to leave it to Euphemius in exchange for a yearly tribute, and entrusted its conquest to the 70 year old qadi Asad ibn al-Furat,
The Muslim force counted 10,000 infantry, 700 cavalry and 100 ships reinforced by Euphemius' ships and, cavalry.
The Arabian force landed in Sicily near Mazzara on July 17, 827. Soon they took a large part of the southern coast and repelled easily the Byzantine forces that tried to stop them.

The Battle:

the invasion of the Arabs in Mazzara

After quickly dominating much of the southern part of the island, the Arabs turned to Syracuse. But they did not attack, as an embassy from the city came to greet Assad and promised an annual tribute. Asad accepted. The already marginalized Euphemius began to regret his alliance with the Aglavides and began secret contacts with the Byzantines to organize resistance against the Arabs, but no one considered him a reliable ally anymore.
Having gained time to prepare their defense, the inhabitants of Syracuse refused to pay the rest of the tribute, and the Muslims began the Siege of Syracuse.
The siege lasted a few months until the spring of 828. Asad faced serious problems due to a rebellion and a plague epidemic that broke out in his camp. In the meantime an army of the Byzantines arrived from Palermo and, also, a fleet sent by the doge of Venice Giustiniano Participazio.
The Arabs initially repulsed the counterattack, but under pressure from the enemy, they were forced to end the siege. They tried to sail with their ships to Africa, but were stopped by the Venetian fleet (this was probably a big mistake). After this, the Arabs burned their ships and fortified themselves in the castle of Mineo. There they were decimated by the plague. Among the victims of the plague was their leader Asad.
The Byzantines continued to push and the Arabs left Mineo and took refuge in Akragas. A part of their army together with the men of Euphemius attacked the city of Enna. A delegation from the city asked to meet with Euphemius to negotiate the surrender. Euphemius came to the meeting with a small escort and there he was killed.

Aftermath:

In 830, the Aghlabids received a strong reinforcement of 30,000 African and Spanish troops and started a new offensive.
The Arabs had come to stay in Sicily and gradually, over the next 75 years, captured the whole island.

Byzantine Battles

Siege of Syracuse

827-828