Rise and early career: subjugation of Apulia George of Antioch

the admiral s bridge in palermo.

due bilingualism (in greek , arabic) , familiarity mediterranean, working ambassador on missions fatimid egypt. rose title of familiaris of court , 1123 had risen second in command in christodulus navy. in attack on mahdia year, george captured fortress of ad-dimas, campaign had abandoned. in following 5 years, george overshadowed chrisotodulus , 1127 had replaced him in position of emir of palermo. in year, both emirs present @ montescaglioso count roger, christodulus seems have died thereafter , george succeeded him.

george instrumental in subduing independent-minded apulia , calabria in years following roger s succession there. in 1129, george brought sixty ships bear on besieged bari, rebellious under prince grimoald alferanites. surrender forced, roger pardoned prince. in 1131, roger demanded citizens of amalfi turn on keys castle full control on city s defences. amalfitans refused , george blockaded city , captured amalfitan ships, forcing city surrender. in 1132, george given title ammiratus ammiratorum, translates admiral of admirals in modern english, understood emir of emirs contemporaries. given greek title archon of archons .

in 1143, george founded greek orthodox church of s. maria dell ammiraglio, known martorana, in palermo. in church there contemporary mosaic depicting george, famous mosaic representing roger ii being crowned christ.