|
Ferdinando’s Deaths |
|
|
Ferdinando of Syracuse is a historical figure mentioned
in some Christian texts about the Crusades. Very little information is provided:
we know he was not noble and he served as a soldier, but when Denis d'Aguilard conquered al-Hamra (later called Rougegarde),
he became Count of Arram. He escaped capture at the
Battle of Hattin, but was accused of treason. The charge was later dropped. Ferdinando is also mentioned in some Arab sources,
which provide some additional information: when he was a soldier, he
accompanied Denis d'Aguilard on the expedition
against the bandits operating in the Antioch area, fought in various battles between
Christians and Muslims, and was a bandit for a time in the territory of Jabal al-Jadid. In Arab oral tradition, Ferdinando plays a prominent
role: he embodies the brutal Christian, sexually gifted and prey to violent
desires, which drive him to rape captured enemies. Stories soon began to be told of Ferdinando being
killed by Arabs or Christians themselves, in a variety of ways. |
|
|
|
The Count’s man I-II |
|
|
The Bandits III |
|
|
The Bandits IV-V-VI |
|
|
The River VII The Fire VIII |
|
|
The Traitor IX |
|
|
In Battle X, XI |
|
|
In the Cell XII, XIII |
|
|
In Barbath’s
Hands XIV, XV |
|
|
Executed XVI, XVII |
