Amalfi, once a merchant republic, has been a royal city since 1131.
The king governs its little duchy (Amalfi, Atrani, Ravello, Scala, Minori, Maiori, Positano and the coast) through a stratigoto drawn from its own families, with local judges. In 1200 the office is held by Cataldus, son of Cesarius. Amalfitan families serve the crown widely: Ruggero Pironti of Ravello is chamberlain of the Terra d'Otranto in 1199. From 1201 to 1208 Sergio Scrofa is the king's justiciar of the duchies of Amalfi and Sorrento and captain of the galleys of the Principato from Policastro to Gaeta.
Who he is
- Name
- Cataldus, son of Cesarius, attested as stratigoto in 1200 (Federiciana); whether he was already in office on 1 January is not pinned
- Title
- Stratigoto (strategos) of the whole duchy of Amalfi: the king's governor and judge of the Amalfi coast
- Since
- Attested 1200
- Born
- Not known
- Family
- Amalfitan
- Confidence
- medium
Federiciana on Amalfi.
Overlord
The king.
What it holds
- The king's government, courts and dues of the duchy of Amalfi
How it was acquired
Royal office.
Allies and rivals
The archbishop of Amalfi; the Amalfitan families (Pironti, Rufolo, Scrofa); neighbours: Diepold's Salerno.
How things stand that morning
Held for the king [side in the war not pinned].
Wealth
The coast's trade, paper and shipping, much reduced since the Pisan sack of 1135-1137; the king's dues.
Military
The coast's ships and towers; the Amalfi coast is defended by its cliffs and the Lattari mountains.
Threats
- Diepold's party in Salerno, next door
Places of note
- Amalfi: Seat of the stratigoto and the archbishop
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Officers are dated year by year in the Federiciana; the coast's side in the war is not recorded.
On the map: The duchy is drawn in the town record Amalfi.
Primary sources for Sicily
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Annals of Montecassino; Annals of Ceccano (Fossanova) (12th and early 13th centuries; Ceccano to 1217). Two sets of annals from either side of the papal and Sicilian frontier. Read online
- Chronicle of Richard of San Germano, Richard of San Germano (first version about 1216, enlarged to 1243). The fullest southern narrative of the Hohenstaufen kingdom, written by a notary on the border of the Terra di Lavoro. Read online
- Annals of Genoa, by Caffaro and his continuators, with Ogerio Pane for 1197 to 1219, Ogerio Pane and the other official annalists of Genoa (year by year under the commune's authority; the 1197 to 1219 section by Ogerio Pane). The official record of the commune. Read online
- Chronicle of Burchard of Ursberg, Burchard of Ursberg (about 1229 to 1230, reworked by Conrad of Lichtenau). Written a generation later by a fierce partisan of the Staufen and a critic of Innocent III. Read online
- Chronicle of Otto of St Blasien, Otto of St Blasien (about 1209 to 1210). A Swabian continuation of Otto of Freising written from the Staufen side. Read online
- Chronicle of Roger of Howden, Roger of Howden (about 1192 to 1201). The fullest single narrative for the year. Read online
- Chronicle of Sicard, bishop of Cremona, Sicard of Cremona (about 1210 to 1213). A universal chronicle whose last part is a well-placed eyewitness account by a Lombard bishop who served emperors and popes. Read online
- The Deeds of Innocent III, Anonymous (a curial official, perhaps Peter of Benevento) (about 1208 to 1209). The curia's own account of the pontificate's first decade, with letters copied in. Read online
7 more in the sources library for Southern Italy and the Islands.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.