Norman Invasions of Greece: What Happened
Between 1081 and 1185, the Normans of southern Italy launched several invasions of Byzantine Greece. The Normans, descendants of Vikings who had settled in northern France, had conquered southern Italy and Sicily, taking the last Byzantine territories there. In 1081, the Norman leader Robert Guiscard and his son Bohemond crossed the Adriatic and besieged Dyrrachium, modern Durrës in Albania. The new Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos was defeated there but fought on, with the help of the Venetian fleet, which he rewarded with valuable trading privileges. The Normans pushed into Epirus and Thessaly, but Robert's death in 1085 ended the campaign. In 1147, the Norman king Roger II of Sicily raided Greece, sacking Corinth and Thebes and carrying off skilled silk workers to Sicily. In 1185, a Norman army captured and brutally sacked Thessaloniki before being defeated. These invasions drained Byzantine resources, and the privileges granted to Venice to gain its help gradually gave Italian merchants a powerful grip on the Byzantine economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Normans?
The Normans were descendants of Vikings who settled in northern France. In the 11th century, they conquered southern Italy and Sicily and then attacked Byzantine Greece.
When did the Normans invade Greece?
The Normans launched several invasions between 1081 and 1185, including campaigns by Robert Guiscard, Roger II of Sicily and a later army that sacked Thessaloniki.
What happened at Dyrrachium in 1081?
Robert Guiscard and his son Bohemond besieged Dyrrachium, modern Durrës in Albania, and defeated the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos there.
Why did the Normans take silk workers from Greece?
In 1147, Roger II of Sicily raided Corinth and Thebes and carried off skilled silk workers to build up the silk industry in his kingdom.
How did the Norman invasions affect Byzantium?
The invasions drained Byzantine resources, and the trade privileges given to Venice for its help gave Italian merchants a powerful grip on the Byzantine economy.
