Any Tips for a Charlemagne Sicily

[Last_legion]

Hey, I'm playing as one of the count level vassals in Sicily and I was looking for tips on the following:
1. How do I escape from the Byzantine Empire so I can expand my power base?
I have already consolidated the Theme of Sicily and I am planning to hold 4 counties once I upgrade my legalism
2. Once I am independent, how do I go about surviving as a Hellenic Pagan given that from a previous playthrough, my marriage options are terrible and I may call down a crusade on myself if I win Italy.
3. How do I restore Roman culture?

 

[TC9078]

Hey, I'm playing as one of the count level vassals in Sicily and I was looking for tips on the following:
1. How do I escape from the Byzantine Empire so I can expand my power base?
I have already consolidated the Theme of Sicily and I am planning to hold 4 counties once I upgrade my legalism
2. Once I am independent, how do I go about surviving as a Hellenic Pagan given that from a previous playthrough, my marriage options are terrible and I may call down a crusade on myself if I win Italy.
3. How do I restore Roman culture?

1. Not that hard, go for independence faction, or if your feeling ballsy, ally with Lombardy and kick the butts of the Byzzies.
2. Be careful. That's all I can say.
3. You have to be Emperor of the Roman Empire to restore Roman culture without cheating.

 

[Last_legion]

Would it be wise to go after North Africa given that I have easier way to have claims for the region?

 

[pottypie]

This is CK2 mate, you learn through hard knocks. If smashing your way through Italy don't work, try smashing your way through north Africa or Spain.
As for your pagan problems, try and get alliances with nearby powerful pagan rulers. Bulgaria and Avaria/Pannoia tend to work quite well here.

 

[Last_legion]

Update: I managed to get the de jure territory of Sicily minus some ERE holdouts. My ruler is fairly young and I have the option to shift already.