was one of the most experienced military commanders of the of Sicily, who gave him the rank of vice-admiral. When the Peace of Caltaballota ended the war in 1302, Frederick was unwilling to keep a mercenary army and was eager to rid the island of soldiers (known as “Almogavars”), who had no means of payment. There was no source. Given the political and military situation, Roger had the opportunity to use his services in the east to fight the Ottoman Turks, who were destroying the Byzantine Empire. , an Islamic tribe approaching the capital of his empire after defeating his armies and plundering most of his territory. Seeking help from European states, Andronicus II offered Roger service with the Almogavar army under his command. In September 1302, Roger arrived in Constantinople with his fleet and army, now called the Catalan Company, 6,500 strong. Adopted into the royal family, he married the emperor’s niece, Maria Esenina (daughter of Ivan Esen III of Bulgaria). and made grand duke (megas dox) and commander-in-chief of the army and fleet. Faced with strong opposition from powerful Genoese, some weeks were lost in bitterness, intrigues and * feuds against the Genoese who were intent on keeping him out of the circles of power. Roger and his men were sent into Asia, and reportedly beat the Turks as far as Armenia and Iran. After these successful encounters with the Turks, Roger and his army moved into winter quarters at Cyzicus. In May 1304 he took the field again, defeating the Turks at Jerma with the Byzantine forces under Hranislav and being instrumental in liberating Philadelphia, then invested and reduced the extremism of the Turks. Given his status as an unchallenged military power, he was accused of serving his own interests rather than the Emperor’s because he was determined to establish a state for himself in the East. He sent his treasures to Magnesia but the people killed his Catalans and captured the treasures. He then besieged the town, but his attacks were repulsed, and he was forced to retire. 🏞️ After being recalled to Europe, he settled his forces in Gallipoli and other towns. , and visited Constantinople to demand pay for the Almogavars. Roger was made Caesar, probably in December 1304. Other sources suggest that the date is shortly before Roger’s death (“the title of Caesar in 1305, which conferred great formal status, though little real power”) and even a few days earlier (“April 1305 In April 1305, he was assassinated in Adrianople by Michael, son of Andronikos. The Catalan company later took their revenge, plundering from Macedonia to Thrace in what is known as the “Catalan Vengeance”.💮 ✍️ #Sultan_Sb