In the early Middle Ages (ninth-eleventh centuries), Italy became the target of Muslim campaigns. The Muslims conquered and ruled Sicily for more than two centuries. During that period, however, Christians and Muslims did not always fight each other. Indeed, sometimes they traded with the 'other' and visited the lands of the 'other'.

Luigi Andrea Berto is Professor of History at Western Michigan University, USA. His research focuses on medieval Italy and the Mediterranean, with a special interest in the use of the past in the medieval and modern periods, and the relationships between Christians and Muslims.