page_title: Siconulf of Salerno
hierarchical_section_title: Siconulf of Salerno
caption_attribution_description: Lombards, Beneventum (nowdays Benevento. Siconulf, as Prince in Salerno. 839-849 AD. EL Solidus (3.73 g). SICO--NOLFVS•, crowned and draped facing bust, holding globus cruciger; wedge in right field VICTOR• +PRINCI, cross potent on two steps; S I, each with wedges beneath, flanking; CONOB. MEC 1, 1120; BMC Vandals -; CNI XVIII pg. 298, 1. Good VF, toned. Very rare. Siconulf's brother Sicard was murdered at the outbreak of a civil war in Beneventum in 839. Siconulf retreated to Salerno, while Radelchis was proclaimed prince of Beneventum. The emperor Louis II ordered the two factions to make peace and divide the principality between them, but Siconulf's death in 849 led to further strife that devastated the land.
context_page_description: Siconulf was the first prince of Salerno, the brother of Sicard, prince of Benevento, who was assassinated by Radelchis. In response to Sicard's murder, the people of Salerno proclaimed Siconulf prince in opposition to Radelchis. At the time Radelchis was holding Siconulf prisoner in Taranto. A group of people from the cities of Salerno and Amalfi went there in disguise as Amalfian merchants and rescued Siconulf from prison, bringing him to Salerno.
  It was Radelchis who first called in the aid of the Saracens against Siconulf in 841, though Siconulf soon retaliated by doing the same against his opponent. The war lasted ten years, during which the Saracen ravages worsened and churches were despoiled. Finally, in 849, the king of Italy, Louis II, came down into Southern Italy and confirmed the division of the Beneventan principality, forcing the two rivals to sign a peace and making Siconulf prince of Salerno. The major cities in the new principality were Taranto, Cassano Irpino, Paestum, Conza, Sarno, Cimitile, Capua, Teano, and Sora. He died soon after and was succeeded by his son Sico.
context_section_description: Siconulf (also Siconolf, Sikenolf, Siconolfo, or Siconulfus) was the first prince of Salerno, the brother of Sicard, prince of Benevento (832–839), who was assassinated by Radelchis.  In response to Sicard's murder, the people of Salerno proclaimed Siconulf prince in opposition to Radelchis.  At the time Radelchis was holding Siconulf prisoner in Taranto.  A group of people from the cities of Salerno and Amalfi went there in disguise as Amalfian merchants and rescued Siconulf from prison, bringing him to Salerno.
  It was Radelchis who first called in the aid of the Saracens against Siconulf in 841, though Siconulf soon retaliated by doing the same against his opponent.  The war lasted ten years, during which the Saracen ravages worsened and churches were despoiled.  Finally, in 849, the king of Italy, Louis II, came down into Southern Italy and confirmed the division of the Beneventan principality, forcing the two rivals to sign a peace and making Siconulf prince of Salerno.  The major cities in the new principality were Taranto, Cassano Irpino, Paestum, Conza, Sarno, Cimitile (Nola), Capua, Teano, and Sora. He died soon after and was succeeded by his son Sico.
caption: Siconulf's effigy on a solidus minted during his rule in Salerno
exif: {}