# Robert Guiscard

> Duke of Apulia and Calabria

**Wikidata**: [Q203792](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q203792)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Guiscard)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/robert-guiscard

## Summary
Robert Guiscard (c. 1016–1085) was a Norman military leader and Duke of Apulia and Calabria, renowned for his conquests in southern Italy and Sicily. A mercenary and adventurer, he played a pivotal role in expanding Norman influence in the Mediterranean, founding the Duchy of Apulia and Calabria.

## Biography
- **Born**: c. 1016 (exact place unknown)
- **Nationality**: Norman (from the Hauteville family)
- **Known for**: Leading Norman conquests in southern Italy and Sicily
- **Occupation**: Military leader, mercenary, adventurer
- **Field(s)**: Warfare, territorial expansion

## Contributions
Robert Guiscard is best known for his military campaigns, which established Norman control over southern Italy and parts of Sicily. His leadership led to the creation of the Duchy of Apulia and Calabria, a key Norman stronghold. He also played a role in the Siege of Palermo (1071–1072), contributing to the Norman conquest of Sicily.

## FAQs
**Who was Robert Guiscard?**
Robert Guiscard was a Norman military leader and Duke of Apulia and Calabria, famous for his conquests in southern Italy and Sicily during the 11th century.

**What was Robert Guiscard's role in the Norman conquests?**
He was a key figure in expanding Norman territory, leading campaigns that secured control over Apulia, Calabria, and parts of Sicily.

**What is Robert Guiscard's legacy?**
His military leadership established the Duchy of Apulia and Calabria, shaping the political landscape of southern Italy and the Mediterranean.

## Why They Matter
Robert Guiscard's conquests significantly altered the power dynamics of southern Italy, replacing Byzantine and Lombard rule with Norman dominance. His campaigns laid the foundation for the Kingdom of Sicily, influencing Mediterranean politics for centuries.

## Notable For
- Duke of Apulia and Calabria
- Leader of Norman conquests in southern Italy and Sicily
- Key figure in the Siege of Palermo (1071–1072)
- Founder of the Duchy of Apulia and Calabria

## Body
### Early Life
Robert Guiscard was born around 1016 into the Hauteville family, a Norman dynasty known for its military prowess. Little is known about his early years, but he emerged as a prominent leader among the Normans in southern Italy.

### Military Career
Guiscard began his career as a mercenary, fighting for various factions in southern Italy. His strategic brilliance and leadership skills quickly elevated him to a position of power. By 1059, he was recognized as the Duke of Apulia and Calabria, a title granted by the Pope.

### Conquests and Expansion
Guiscard's most significant achievements were his conquests in southern Italy and Sicily. He led campaigns against the Byzantines and Lombards, securing Norman control over key territories. His involvement in the Siege of Palermo (1071–1072) was crucial in the Norman conquest of Sicily.

### Legacy
Robert Guiscard's military campaigns had a lasting impact on the Mediterranean region. His establishment of the Duchy of Apulia and Calabria solidified Norman rule in southern Italy, paving the way for the eventual creation of the Kingdom of Sicily. His leadership and strategic acumen made him one of the most influential figures of his time.

## References

1. The Peerage
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. BnF authorities
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CERL Thesaurus
7. LIBRIS. 2012
8. Dizionario di Storia
9. Sejm-Wielki.pl