Euphemius (King of Sicily)
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Euphemius was a Byzantine admiral. Probably born in Messina, he fought against the Byzantine power and after some military successes, toward 823 he procaimed himself emperor in Syracuse, independent from Constantinople. In practice, we was a charismatic chief, and, respected as a king, the title of emperor meant that he dominated the whole territory of the island. He was defeated by the Byzantine troops and escaped in Ifriqiya, where he asked the help of Arabs to reconquest Sicily. In 827 returned back in Sicily with a big fleet commanded by Asad ibn al-Furat, and died some time after. He is considered as the man that caused the Arab invasion of Sicily and the beginning of their two-century domination on the island.
