Christodulus
Encyclopedia
Christodulus probably either a Moslem convert or a Greek Orthodox, was the first emir
of Palermo
(later ammiratus ammiratorum
). His rise occurred after the death of Count Simon of Sicily in 1105 and he held the position of emir by 1107, during the regency
of Adelaide del Vasto
for her son, King Roger II of Sicily
.
Originally, his position was considered that of a successor to the old Moslem governors of Palermo, but the importance of Palermo as the capital of the county and permanent seat of the Norman
court, one of the largest cities in Europe and a major trading port, made his position of national significance. He was put in charge of the building of a navy
and he received the titles of protonobilissimus and protonotary and was the president of the council of state. As such, he holds the first place in the development of the role of an admiral.
In 1123, Christodulus led a naval expedition against the Mahdia
, but it failed miserably. He had appointed as his second-in-command George of Antioch
and the latter's brilliance in defeat began to overshadow the old emir. Christodulus was never out of favour, but his influence declined considerably after that and he was out of power by 1127, when he last appears beside George and King Roger at Montescaglioso
, and he probably died around that time as well.
Emir
Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...
of Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
(later ammiratus ammiratorum
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
). His rise occurred after the death of Count Simon of Sicily in 1105 and he held the position of emir by 1107, during the regency
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
of Adelaide del Vasto
Adelaide del Vasto
Adelaide del Vasto was the third wife of Roger I of Sicily and mother of Roger II of Sicily, as well as Queen consort of Jerusalem due to her later marriage to Baldwin I of Jerusalem, as his third wife.-Family:She was the daughter of Manfred del Vasto Adelaide del Vasto (Adelasia, Azalaïs) (c....
for her son, King Roger II of Sicily
Roger II of Sicily
Roger II was King of Sicily, son of Roger I of Sicily and successor to his brother Simon. He began his rule as Count of Sicily in 1105, later became Duke of Apulia and Calabria , then King of Sicily...
.
Originally, his position was considered that of a successor to the old Moslem governors of Palermo, but the importance of Palermo as the capital of the county and permanent seat of the Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
court, one of the largest cities in Europe and a major trading port, made his position of national significance. He was put in charge of the building of a navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
and he received the titles of protonobilissimus and protonotary and was the president of the council of state. As such, he holds the first place in the development of the role of an admiral.
In 1123, Christodulus led a naval expedition against the Mahdia
Mahdia
Mahdia is a provincial centre north of Sfax. It is important for the associated fish-processing industry, as well as weaving. It is the capital of Mahdia Governorate.- History :...
, but it failed miserably. He had appointed as his second-in-command George of Antioch
George of Antioch
George of Antioch was the first true ammiratus ammiratorum, successor of the great Christodulus. George was a Greek Melchite, born in Antioch, whence he moved with his father, Michael, and mother to Tunisia. His parents found employment under the Zirid Sultan, Tamim ibn Muizz...
and the latter's brilliance in defeat began to overshadow the old emir. Christodulus was never out of favour, but his influence declined considerably after that and he was out of power by 1127, when he last appears beside George and King Roger at Montescaglioso
Montescaglioso
Montescaglioso is a town and comune in the Province of Matera, Basilicata, southern Italy.The economy is mostly based on agriculture, including production of renowned oil and wine, as well as traditional food....
, and he probably died around that time as well.
Sources
- Norwich, John JuliusJohn Julius NorwichJohn Julius Cooper, 2nd Viscount Norwich CVO — known as John Julius Norwich — is an English historian, travel writer and television personality.-Early life:...
. The Normans in the South 1016–1130. Longmans: London, 1967. - Houben, Hubert (translated by Graham A. Loud and Diane Milburn). Roger II of Sicily: Ruler between East and West. Cambridge University Press, 2002.