Tunisia: Early History
Early History
The coast of Tunisia was settled in 10th cent.
The coasts were briefly held by the Normans of Sicily in the 12th cent. In 1159, Tunisia was conquered by the Almohad caliphs of Morocco. The Almohads were succeeded by the Berber Hafsids (c.1230–1574), under whom Tunisia prospered. In the last years of the Hafsids, Spain seized many of the coastal cities, but they were recovered for Islam by the Ottoman Turks. Under its Turkish governors, the beys, Tunisia attained virtual independence. In the late 16th cent. the coast became a pirate stronghold (see Barbary States). The Hussein dynasty of beys, established in 1705, lasted until 1957.
Sections in this article:
- Introduction
- Tunisia since Independence
- European Influence and Nationalist Aspirations
- Early History
- Government
- Economy
- Land and People
- Bibliography
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