What if the Arabs were more successful in italy?

Emirate of Bari

In this alternate timeline, the Arabs are successful in the siege of Bari, capturing it for the Aghlabid Dynasty and establishing the Emirate of Bari, which in the next few years is able to control the Salento region and some of Apulia. The Byzantines attempted numerous times to conquer it, but were unable to mount a full offense due to being wrapped up in other conflicts.

Further Expansion

Under the rule of Jamal Abdullah I, the emirate expands even further in the following decades, conquering the principality of Salerno, the principality of Benevento and the duchy of Almafi. His rule also further solidifies Islamic institutions, architecture and customs in the country, and leads to the eventual development of Apulo-Arabic, which is used as the lingua Franca in the emirate. Seeing the huge progress, the ruler of the emirate of Sicily (also under the Aghlabids) decides to join the emirate as a constituent province to further its own development.

War against the Holy Roman Empire

The HRE, seeing a potential threat in the south, launches a crusade against the emirate, sending thousands of troops from Lombardy, Tuscany, Spoleto and other duchies. Their advances succeed initially, with the Arabs being unprepared for such a major threat, but eventually fail due to the Arabs tactical and strategic advantages, along with support from the general populace. The decisive battle happens at Spoleto, where after a months long siege, the city falls into Arab hands. The duchy of Spoleto falls and is conquered, leading to the HRE retreating in defeat, ending the war. The war was a major humiliation for the HRE, and would lead to a peace treaty where Spoleto is recognized as part of the emirate.

Siege of Rome

After the success of the defense against the HRE, the Arabs become more emboldened and decide to go all the way, attacking Rome and laying a months long siege to it. The Arabs do eventually succeed, leading to a huge celebration in the Muslim world, however their control of Rome only lasted around 10 years, as the conquering of one of the most important cities to Europe became seen as a major threat by all European powers, resulting in It’s reconquest by the HRE, and the current northern borders of the emirate.

Golden Age

After this period, the Alghlabids fall, resulting in the emirate becoming fully independent. Rather than lead to more instability, this actually leads to more prosperity, where technological advancements, social welfare and religious freedom lead to a golden age for the emirate, similar to Andalusia. This also results in many Ladinos (Sephardic Jews) moving to the country, settling in its cities and on the island of Sicily, where a large amount of settled due to the diversity and climate of the island. The biggest mosque in Zahira, the Great Mosque of Bari, was also established during this period.

World Wars

After a relatively stable few centuries for the emirate, where they would align occasionally with powers like the ottomans or help fight in the siege of Vienna, WW1 breaks out. The emirate remains neutral due to its position in Europe, becoming a hub for dissidents from all sides of the political spectrum.

During WW2, in 1940, it was conquered as part of the Benito Mussolini’s campaign to unite Italy. The takeover was bloody and resulted in many massacres, along with the killing of most of its Jewish population outside of Sicily. It was then rescued by Britain and the US during Operation Storm, ending the brutal invasion by Italy.

Cold War and modern era

After the war, the peninsular part of the county was given independence as the Emirate of Zahira (meaning flower in Arabic), with Sicily becoming a British protectorate until 1960 when it gained independence for a time before voting to rejoining the emirate. During the Cold War, the emirate was a western ally against Italy, which was officially neutral but had communist leanings. In 1994, upon the current Emir’s death, the nation did a referendum on if the country should become a constitutional monarchy, which over 80% of the population said yes to.

Upon the end of the Cold War, the nation remained in a position similar to its golden age era, where it is an international hub for various goods, cultures and religion. Zahira today is a modern, well off country which is a mix of both Roman and Islamic culture, customs and languages.