Euphemius (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, he 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 to Ifriqiya, where he asked the help of Arabs to take Sicily from the Byzantines. In 827 he returned to Sicily with a large fleet commanded by Asad ibn al-Furat, and died some time after. He is considered to be the man who caused the Arab invasion of Sicily and the beginning of their two-century domination on the island.
