Eugenius of Palermo (also
Eugene) (, ,
Italian:
Eugenio da Palermo; c. 1130 – 1202) was an
amiratus (admiral) of the
Kingdom of Sicily in the late twelfth century.
He was of
Greek origin, but born in
Palermo, and had an educated background, for he was "most learned in Greek and Arabic, and not unskilled in Latin."Houben, 99, quoting an anonymous Latin translator of Ptolemy's
Almagest. By the time of his admiralcy, the educated, multilingual Greek or Arab administrator was becoming rare in Sicily.
Eugenius' family had been important in the
Hauteville administration for generations before him. He was a son of
Admiral John and grandson of another
Admiral Eugenius. He served under
William II before being raised to the rank of admiral in 1190. His first duties were as an officer of the
diwan (Latinised
duana or
dohana). He bore the title
magister duane baronumEnglish: master of the baronial
diwan. The Latin title also appears as
magister regie dohane baronum in later charters. in September 1174, when he was sent by the king to
Salerno to check the accounts of the
bailiffs and to authorise the sale of property on behalf of the
stratigotus, so he could pay off a loan. Though his official duties as
magister are unknown, he was also in charge of publishing and disseminating a......
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