County of Sicily was created by Robert Guiscard in 1071 for his younger brother Roger Bosso. Guiscard himself had received the title Duke of Sicily ("dux Siciliae") in 1059 from Pope Nicholas II as encouragement to conquer it from the Muslims. In 1061 the first permanent Norman conquest (Messina) was made and in 1071, after the fall of Palermo, the capital of the emirate and future capital of the county, Guiscard invested Roger with the title of count and gave him full jurisdiction in the island save for half the city of Palermo, Messina, and the Val Demone, which he retained for himself.
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