Valerie dupont

ARAB-333

Course Paper – Tunisia

Term 5

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INTRODUCTION

Tunisia is located in North Africa, between Algeria and Libya, and borders the

Mediterranean Sea. Tunis is the capital and other big cities are Nabeul, Sfax, and Sousse.

Summers are hot and dry, whereas winters are mild and rainy. Tunisia is made up of a coast,

mountains (Atlas), and a steppe region. It also includes an area with salt lakes and a part of the

Sahara desert. The Majardah is the longest river (460 km), and Tunisia also has large reserves of

valuable natural resources such as oil, natural gas, or phosphate. As of today, Tunisia’s

population accounts for a little over 10 million inhabitants. Most Tunisians are Muslim Arab-

Berber (98%), and Arabic is the official language. Tunisia became independent in 1956 and is

now a Republic. However, to obtain this freedom, Tunisia had to go through many battles and

dynasties. In this paper, Tunisia’s history will be presented from the Pre-Islamic times to the 19 th

century and the French Protectorate.

THE PHOENICIANS

Tunisia’s history starts with the Phoenicians perhaps as early as 1200 BC. The

Phoenician colonists established trade posts along the Tunisian coast. Among the most famous

ones are Utica, Bizerte, and Sousse. The biggest Phoenician achievement remains the foundation

of Carthage in 814 BC that became the capital of North Africa. The legend says that Dido was

the founder and queen of Carthage. Carthage means the “new city” and illustrates the new

civilization that will be born there. This city is located by the Mediterranean Sea and became a

strategic point in maritime trade. Carthage’s central location in the Mediterranean Sea allowed

the empire to be the major distributor of tin and to control the waters between Sicily and Tunisia.

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Carthage had thus the tin monopoly and was also the largest producer of silver. Carthage also

produced textile, pottery, faience, etc… Moreover, thanks to advanced agricultural techniques,

Carthage was also able to produce all kinds of natural products that were then sold to every

Mediterranean country. During Roman times, Carthage’s wine production increased due to

Roman high demand. Finally, Carthage became a serious rival to Greece concerning the

production and exportation of olive oil. Carthage also traded in the interior of Africa and Persia

and sent caravans to sell its products. Goods were sold through auctions or in open-air markets.

The Carthaginian Empire was one of the most powerful and longest living in the Mediterranean

area. Indeed, Carthage fell to the Romans in 146 BC after seven centuries of prosperity.

THE PUNIC WARS

Romans had to fight for over a century to conquer Carthage; three wars were necessary

for Carthage to be defeated. These three wars are called the Punic Wars. The first one started in

264 BC. Carthage had control over the islands of the Mediterranean and Rome’s first attempt

aimed to break the control that Carthage had on the West Mediterranean. In 219 BC, Hannibal

invaded the Spanish city of Sagunto which was a Roman ally. As a result, Rome declared the

second Punic war. The war took place in the mountainous Italy. Rome won the battle thanks to

its financial superiority and better organization. This defeat resulted in the loss of Spain and

some islands for the Phoenicians. In 146 BC, Carthage was definitely destroyed by the Romans.

Roman colonization could thus start. Carthage stayed in ruins for 25 years. After Julius Caesar

proclaimed that a new city should be built, Colonia Julia Carthago was created and the new city

quickly became prosperous again. After the refounding of Carthage, the economy started

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growing and Tunisia regained its stability. Olive oil and grain became the two main grown

resources in the region, and exports to Rome grew considerably. Northern Africa also became

more important in Rome’s political life and many North African inhabitants moved to Roman

cities. Finally, Carthage became a center of Christianity and Tunisia produced two fathers of the

church: Tertullian and Saint Augustine. The remaining Roman heritage is mainly architectural in

Tunisia. The most impressive monument is the amphitheater of El-Jem which is a serious rival to

the Rome colosseum. The mosaics of the Bardo, Carthage, and El-Jem are also representative of

the Roman era.

THE VANDALS & THE BYZANTINES

Between 439 and 533 AD, Carthage fell to the hands of the Vandals. The Vandals

extended their empire to Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Sardinia, and Corsica. This period brought

little cultural advancements to Tunisia and the empire, and many Roman buildings were

destroyed. After the death of the Vandal King Genseric, the kingdom started declining and fell to

the hands of the Byzantines in 533. The Byzantine emperor, Justinian, names the city “Colonia

Justiniana Carthago” as a narcissistic act and to honor Julius Caesar. In 697, the city was

captured by the Arabs, and in 698, the governor of Egypt ordered its total destruction. One more

time, Carthage was destroyed, but its strategic position gave birth to a new city located a little

south of Carthage: Tunis. The last destruction of Carthage marked the end of Roman and

Byzantine influence there, and announced the “Arabisation” of Tunisia and the rise of Islam.

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THE ARAB CONQUEST

After Egypt was conquered in 642, the Arabs reached Tunisia in 647 and in 670 the

Arabs established their military base in Kairouan far from the coast in order to prepare their

conquest of the West. The Berbers fiercely resisted Arab invasion, but their army was finally

defeated in 702. Following this defeat, many Berbers converted to Islam, but they were still

considered as second-class citizens in their own country. Consequently, the Berbers formed a

separate group called the Kharijites. In 745, Berber troops take over Kairouan, but in 761, the

Arabs reconquered the city and drove away the Berbers to the south of Tunisia.

THE AGHLABIDS

In 800, Ibrahim Ibn Aghlab created the Aghlabid dynasty that would be in place between

800 and 909. Kairouan became the capital which quickly became prosperous and wealthy.

Kairouan gave back to Tunisia what it had lost with the destruction of Carthage. The Aghlabites

built the great mosque of Kairouan and made Kairouan a holy city. A university was built inside

the mosque and became the center of Islamic studies. Scholars from all over the Islamic world

came to Kairouan to contribute to this great institution. The Aghlabites also made of Kairouan a

beautiful city by building palaces, gardens, and libraries. The other great project of the

Aghlabites was the conquest of Sicily in 827 that stayed in Arab hands for over two centuries.

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THE FATIMIDS

At the end of the ninth century, the Shi’ite Fatimid movement started to rise with the

Berbers. 909 is the year of the creation of the Fatimid dynasty. The Fatimids traced their descent

from Fatima, one of Muhammad’s daughters, and never recognized Sunni authority. Tunisia was

the center of the first four Fatimid caliphates, but the conquest of Egypt in 969 moved the capital

to Cairo. Kairouan was then neglected and lost its prosperity. As a result of this change of

capital, a Berber dynasty was created to rule Ifriqya (Tunisia and east Algeria) on behalf of the

Fatimids for two centuries. The Zirids expanded their territory and enjoyed economic prosperity.

In 1048, the Zirids declared their independence and recognized the Abbasids of Baghdad as

rightful caliphs. After such a betrayal, the Fatimids responded by sending their troops to Ifriqya

and the Zirids were defeated and lost Kairouan. The Zirids retreated to the coast, but definitely

fell in 1148 after attacks from the Sicilian Normans.

THE ALMOHADS

After the Zirid defeat, anarchy reigned in Ifriqya and Tunisia became an easy target for

the Normans who managed to seize the island of Jerba. In the Maghreb, the only remaining

Muslim power was the Almohads, a Berber movement founded by Ibn Tumart. By 1170, the

Maghreb and Andalusia were under unified control for the only time in their history. The

Almohads were not as tolerant toward other faiths and really wanted their empire to be Muslim,

so Almohad rule gave the choice to non-Muslim to convert or emigrate. After establishing

control over Tunisia, the Almohads gave its control to the Hafsid family.

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THE HAFSIDS

In 1229, the Hafsids declared their independence from the Almohads and based their

movement in Morocco. The Hafsids were already wealthy, but they also benefited from

migrations from Spanish Muslims who were fleeing Christian invasion. These immigrants were

wealthy and educated which was a big advantage for the Hafsid Empire. The government was

centralized and relations with other countries were good. In Tunisia, Tunis became a principal

port and enjoyed trade opportunities with many countries. Tunis also became an economic and

intellectual center and made of Tunisia a flourishing region in North Africa. During the

fourteenth century, the Hafsid Empire suffered attacks by the Merinids, but were able to regain

their empire. Moreover, epidemics of plague devastated the population and the empire declined.

Piracy grew against Christian ships during the fourteenth century. The money collected was used

toward building and art programs. New trade routes with Egypt were also created and

contributed to the decline of the empire. In the sixteenth century, the Hafsids gradually lost

control of their empire and most cities became independent.

THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

In 1574, the Ottoman Turks occupied Tunis and Tunisia became part of the Ottoman

Empire. Tunisia became a province of the Ottoman Empire and garrisoned Tunis with 4,000

janissaries (infantry soldiers). After 1692, a dynasty of Beys established itself and successively

ruled Tunisia as Ottoman vassals until 1881. During the 18th century, maritime trade switched to

the Atlantic and the country severely declined. In 1881, the Bardo Treaty is signed and Tunisia

became a French Protectorate.

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CONCLUSION

Throughout its history, Tunisia and its native Berber population absorbed a succession of

different cultures, religions, and political systems. The Phoenicians were the first to colonize

Tunisia and many other peoples followed. Carthage was founded by the first colonists and was

destroyed three times. The Romans, the Byzantines, and the Vandals occupied Tunisia before the

Arabs took over and spread Islam. Different caliphates ruled Tunisia and in 1574, Tunisia was

incorporated into the Ottoman Empire. Three centuries later, Tunisia would know its last

colonist--the French before it would become independent.

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 REFERENCES

History of Carthage. Retrieved August 5, 2008, from

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab91

Punic Wars. (2008). Columbia Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 5, 2008, from

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-PunicWar.html

The Medieval Period. Retrieved August 5, 2008, from

http://www.tunisia.com/content/culture/tunisian-history/the-medieval-period

Tunisia: History. (2008). Retrieved August 5, 2008, from

http://lexicorient.com/e.o/tunisia_5.htm

Tunisia – Site of Carthage. Retrieved August 5, 2008, from

http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/carthage.html