Siege of Lentini
| Siege of Lentini | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Muslim conquest of Sicily | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Byzantine Empire | Aghlabids | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Unknown | Al-Fadl bin Jafar al-Hamadhani | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Few survived | Unknown | ||||||
The Siege of Lentini happened in 846 or 847 when the Arab Aghlabids attacked and captured the city of Lentini from the Byzantines.
Siege
Following the defeat at the Battle of Butera, the Byzantines suffered several more quickly.[1] In 846 or 847, Al-Fadl ibn-Gafar the victor at Messina, attacked the important town of Lentini in the eastern part of the island, between Catania and Syracuse. The Byzantine strategos rushed to the aid of the besieged. It was agreed between him and the inhabitants of Leontini that, to signal his approach, a beacon would be lit on one of the mountains near the town. Al Fadl became aware of this and lit a fire on the mountain for three days to fool the garrison. Al Fadl then took the majority of his force to prepare an ambush while he left a few men under Lentini. On the fourth day, when, according to the convention, the strategos should be very close to the city, the Byzantines, confident of victory, made a sortie. The Arabs, pretending to flee, lured them into the arranged ambush, while the city remained almost empty for defense. The Byzantines were ambushed and most of them were massacred except a few,[2][3][4] and the inhabitants were forced to surrender in exchange for their lives and properties.[5]
References
Sources
- Alexander A. Vasiliev, Byzantium and the Arabs. Volume I, The Amorium dynasty (820–867).[1]
- J. B. Bury (2008), History of the Eastern Empire from the Fall of Irene to the Accession of Basil, A. D. 802-867. [2]
- Michele Amari (1854), Storia dei Musulmani di Sicilia, Vol I.[3]