Southern Italy held a particular attraction for the Normans. They arrived in the early 11th century as pilgrims and mercenaries and quickly recognised the region’s potential. Political fragmentation and numerous conflicts provided them with a living and the chance to establish their own territories. Early successes had a knock-on effect, and with the arrival of the Hauteville family at the latest, the power structure began to shift. The Normans began to prevail over other powers. They drove the Byzantines from southern Italy and established their own dominions. In 1059, Robert Guiscard (d. 1085) succeeded in gaining papal recognition of his position. Soon after began the conquest of Sicily, concluded in 1091. The consolidation of Norman rule culminated in 1130 in the elevation of the rule over Sicily to the rank of a kingdom. At that time, Norman rule had already developed into a flourishing realm of cultural diversity. The Normans, significantly outnumbered by the native population, took a very skilful approach. They adopted existing structures and traditions, combining them with elements of their own. In that way, they created a unique kingdom whose function as a melting pot of cultures was further enhanced by its favourable strategic position in the Mediterranean. In dynastic terms, Norman rule ended with Frederick II’s ascent to the throne, but the young Hohenstaufen ruler was highly influenced by the Norman heritage that long continued to flourish in that region.
Aversa, Cathedral, 2nd half of the 11th c.
Marble
Aversa, Cattedrale of San Paolo – Museo Diocesano
Aversa, the centre first Norman territory in Italy, was the first town Normans would have travelled to after arriving in southern Italy. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the newly built cathedral there are traces of northern influences. These are expressed in an artwork that stylistically is an absolute novelty in southern Italy. On the slab there is a knight in profile with a naked torso and short trousers piercing with his sword a huge beast rising above him. The unusual style and the different layers of depth make this slab extraordinary. The depiction both uses topics from Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon mythological traditions (Sigurd, Beowulf).