The Monreale Capitals and the Military Equipment of Later Norman Sicily

The Monreale Capitals, carved between 1174 and 1182 AD, represent the final installment of a significant series of Italo-Norman military sculptures. These capitals, part of the Monreale Cathedral cloister in Sicily, showcase intricate Romanesque art with notable Islamic influences, distinguishing them from similar works across Italy and southern France. The study highlights their role as a visual record of military equipment used during the later Norman period in Sicily, providing insights into the region's cultural and artistic evolution. By comparing these capitals to earlier collections, such as those at San Nicola in Bari (1099–1106 AD) and La Martorana in Palermo (1140–1143 AD), the research underscores the progression of military representation in Sicilian sculpture.

Nicolle, D. (2024). The Monreale Capitals and the Military Equipment of Later Norman Sicily. Warriors and Their Weapons around the Time of the Crusades, IX. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003557074-9