History of Sicily unrest enjoyed wide support in Messina and produced an organized structure, and consciousness of the need to link the struggle to the whole of Sicily. The insurgents briefly gained control of the city but, despite bitter resistance, the Bourbon army was victorious and suppressed the revolt. This suppression resulted in further oppression and created a diaspora of Messinian and Sicilian revolutionaries outside Sicily and locked Sicily under the control of the reactionary government. The bombardments of Messina and Palermo earned Ferdinand II the name "King Bomba". "See also: " Sicily was merged with the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1860 following
Euphemius (Sicily) While he was away, however, the Emperor Michael II the Amorian sent a letter ordering his demotion and punishment. Euphemius learned of this while returning to Sicily with his fleet. Euphemios, supported by the fleet, thereupon resolved to revolt. He was proclaimed by the fleet crews as emperor, and sailed for the capital of Sicily, Syracuse, which was quickly captured. The "patrikios" Constantine was either absent from the city or fled inland at his approach, but soon gathered an army and attacked him. Euphemius won, and forced the governor to seek refuge in Catana. When Euphemius sent his forces against