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| ]'', fresco in one of the ]]] | ]'', fresco in one of the ]]] | ||
| ⚫ | The naval '''Battle of Ostia''' took place in ] between the ]s and a Christian league of ], ], and ], and ] ships. | ||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| ⚫ | The naval '''Battle of Ostia''' took place in ] between the ] and a Christian league of ], ], and ], and ] ships. | ||
| News of a massing of |
News of a massing of pirate ships off ] reached ] early in 849, less than three years after the successful ]. A Christian armada, commanded by ], son of ], was assembled off recently refortified ]. ] came out to bless it and communicate the troops. | ||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| After the |
After the pirate ships appeared, battle was joined with the Neapolitan ]s in the lead. Midway through the engagement, a storm divided the enemies and the Christian ships managed to return to port. The Barbary pirates, however, were scattered far and wide, with many ships lost and others sent ashore. When the storm died down, the remnants of the Arab fleet were easily picked off, with many prisoners taken. | ||
| In the aftermath of the battle, much booty washed ashore and was pillaged by the locals. The prisoners taken in battle were sent to work in ]s building the ] which was to encompass the ]. The battle was an important event in the history of Italy and Christianity. It united the Christian states of central and southern Italy in a joint cause against the |
In the aftermath of the battle, much booty washed ashore and was pillaged by the locals. The prisoners taken in battle were sent to work in ]s building the ] which was to encompass the ]. The battle was an important event in the history of Italy and Christianity. It united the Christian states of central and southern Italy in a joint cause against the threat of Muslim pirates who were attempts to terrorise it. It also strengthened the papacy: especially for the resultant walls that went up to protect ]. Coming off the only Muslim sack of Rome, it helped reverse the tide of the war and raise Christian morale. For all this, it is one of the few events to occur in southern Italy during the ninth century that is still remembered today, largely for the walls named after Leo and for the ] painting of ]. | ||
| ==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
Revision as of 07:11, 1 April 2008
The naval Battle of Ostia took place in 849 between the Barbary pirates and a Christian league of Papal, Neapolitan, and Amalfitan, and Gaetan ships.
News of a massing of pirate ships off Sardinia reached Rome early in 849, less than three years after the successful sack of Saint Peter's. A Christian armada, commanded by Caesar, son of Sergius I, was assembled off recently refortified Ostia. Pope Leo IV came out to bless it and communicate the troops.
After the pirate ships appeared, battle was joined with the Neapolitan galleys in the lead. Midway through the engagement, a storm divided the enemies and the Christian ships managed to return to port. The Barbary pirates, however, were scattered far and wide, with many ships lost and others sent ashore. When the storm died down, the remnants of the Arab fleet were easily picked off, with many prisoners taken.
In the aftermath of the battle, much booty washed ashore and was pillaged by the locals. The prisoners taken in battle were sent to work in chain gangs building the Leonine Wall which was to encompass the Vatican Hill. The battle was an important event in the history of Italy and Christianity. It united the Christian states of central and southern Italy in a joint cause against the threat of Muslim pirates who were attempts to terrorise it. It also strengthened the papacy: especially for the resultant walls that went up to protect Saint Peter's. Coming off the only Muslim sack of Rome, it helped reverse the tide of the war and raise Christian morale. For all this, it is one of the few events to occur in southern Italy during the ninth century that is still remembered today, largely for the walls named after Leo and for the Renaissance painting of Raphael.
Sources
- Llewellyn, Peter. Rome in the Dark Ages. London: Faber and Faber, 1970.
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