535 AD: A Byzantine general conquered Sicily and drove out the Ostrogoths. Sicily became a part of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire was the eastern part of the Roman Empire. After the downfall of Rome, it remained unharmed by the German tribes and was able to reconquer the Italian Peninsula. For some years under Constans II Syracuse became the capital of the Byzantine Empire. During the reign of the Byzantine Empire Sicily became an important market in the Mediterranean Sea and especially the Seaports became rich