Re: Kingdom of Sicily

In article <1181923751.799842.284090@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"oscan1@xxxxxxxxx" <oscan1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Jun 15, 6:26 am, Derek Lockman <turbeville29...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Jun 14, 11:30 pm, "osc...@xxxxxxxxx" <osc...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I would be curious to know what the members of this group think about
this question. If the Kingdom of Sicily had been able to develop a
strong native dynasty, with rulers maintaining the level of Roger II,
Frederick II, Manfred, and Ladislaus, could it have survived as a
viable independent state?

I'm not as well-versed in the history as you are, but from a
geographic point of view, I think that it was doomed from its
inception. When you think of the relative size of the rest of Italy
compared to Sicily, and then the geographic proximity and
location...well, I don't think it would ever have been left in peace.
There's just no breathing room.

Geography played an important role in the history of the kingdom of
Sicily. At various times it had to deal with the Byzantines and
Ottoman Turks to the East, the Saracens to the south, the Aragonese
and Spanish kingdoms to the west and the ever-present Papal States to
the North. There was conflict with all of these powers and more
further away like the French, the German (Holy Roman) Empire, etc.
Yet, other states in exposed geographic situations survived as long as
they had strong leadership. I believe that it was the kingdom's
internal geography, begin split into mainland and insular portions,
was a greater problem than its external threats.

I think that was an important factor, based on my own reading. I wonder
if the second poster isn't thinking just of the island of Sicily? The
kingdom of Sicily for some time included a sizable chunk of the
mainland, after all.

--
Mary, biblioholic

bib-li-o-hol-ism : the habitual longing to purchase, read, store,
admire, and consume books in excess.

http://www.airstreamcomm.net/~erilarlo
.

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