BYZANTINES IN CALABRIA (phase IX-XI century A.D.)

Bruzio (Calabria) disputed between Byzantines, Lombards and Saracens:

In the previous post I said that in the 596 a.C. the Lombards occupied the north Calabria until IX century a.C., but the real danger for the Byzantine comes from the Saracens.

In this period (VIII-IX century a.C.) there was another warlike  people came from eastern territories the so-called Saracens, they sailed all over Mediterranea sea looting continuously the coastal centers, to the early of IX century in Calabria created emirates in some important cities, among these Amantea, Tropea, Santa Severina and Squillace (geographical figure below).

position emirates 

In the end IX century a.C. Bisanzio sendes the general Niceforo Foca for to regain the southern Italy and the Calabria, manage to rip the Puglia, Lucania e Calabria to Longobards and to kicking definitely the Saracens out calabrian territory.

iconography IX-X century a.D. - the expultion of the Saracens from Amantea

At this point after having rebuilt a large part of the south, Bisanzio provided a stratega or strategist (leader and administrator) to Calabria, wich took care of the difense of the territories, especially the coastal lines still subject to the continuos ambitions of the Saracens, who on the coasts leaving yet a trail of devastations in the cities and surrounding contryside.

In this century to better control the territory, the Byzantines decided to move massively the coastal cities on hilly and foothills sites.

The new centers (Kastra) controlled the coast line and sea better, without being seen by enemy.
But at the same time the maintenance of internal communications was abandonate, remember that the cure of the routes was useful for commercial exchanges beetween the different centers and the coasts, so a weak and self-sufficient economy was created. 
The settlement system of the region changes, the coastal cities moved on high places behind the coast, for protect yourself from enemies and to check the valleys and the coast, called Kastra (figure below).

example of byzantine Kastra, on the hills at the edges of the coast: in this case Badolato

the points in red refounded byzantine centers so-called Kastra (fortified centers) on internal heights; instead in blu ancient port cities: Amantea, Nicotera, Taureanum and Reggio Calabria, to the right Crotone; in pink Cosenza (north) and Vibo Valentia (south) cities always left on the same site.

NOTE: The ancient port cities during greek-goths wars and with the barbaric invasions (VI-VII-VIII-IX century AD), continue to prosper thanks to commercial exchages and export.

IN THE FIGURES BELOW I SHOW SOME EXAMPLES OF ARROWING CENTERS:
In this case we see: ORIOLO (CS), NICOTERA (VV), GERACE (RC), SANTA SEVERINA (KR).

ORIOLO (CS)

NICOTERA (VV)

GERACE (RC)

SANTA SEVERINA (KR)

THEY ARE LIKE "PRECIUS STONES" set throughout the calabrian hinterland, CENTERS rich: in ancient palaces, churches and traditions, wich are worth visiting!!!!

There are must others!!!!!!!!!😎

The figure below show a mighty FORTRESS, that the byzantines builted abowe the center (Kastron), here resided imperial Official and the military contingent.

byzantinian castle X century a.C. with circular tower at the apex - Simeri Crichi 

(foto from aeropix.it)

Dott. Giuseppe Lombardo