Third/Ninth-Century Violence: “Saracens” and Sawdān in Erchempert's Historia*

Abstract The aim of this article is to consider the depiction of violence and Islamic protagonists in Erchempert's Historia Langobardorum Beneventanorum, a third/ninth-century southern Italian source that describes the prevailing political and socio-economic circumstances of the south of Italy. It will suggest that, whilst violence cannot be excised as a facet of inter-communal relations in southern mainland Italy, one should, nonetheless, exercise some caution in accepting the assertions of Western sources such as Erchempert's Historia which have a particular context and discourse. The fundamental influence of Erchempert's portrayal can, if weighted excessively, undermine a balanced view of southern Italy in the third/ninth century and his comments on the Muslims need to be understood within the context of his narrative aims.