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History of Tunisia

A country with the archaeological sites of Carthage, dating back to the 9th century BC, and the Great Mosque of Kairouan.. 6 eras, 800 CE to today.

Aghlabids, 800 CE–909 CE Draft, not yet reviewed

The Aghlabid dynasty was an Arab dynasty that ruled Ifriqiya from 800 to 909, nominally as vassals of the Abbasid Caliphate. During this time, they also conquered Sicily, Malta, parts of southern Italy, and possibly Sardinia. The Aghlabids sponsored the construction of mosques and civic infrastructure, major examples of which have survived to the present day as some of the oldest Islamic-era monuments in the region. Their rule ended when they were conquered by the new power of the Fatimids in 909.

Seat of power: Kairouan

Rulers

Zirid Dynasty, 972 CE–1148 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Zirid dynasty was a Sanhaja Berber dynasty from what is now Algeria which ruled the central Maghreb from 972 to 1014 and Ifriqiya (eastern Maghreb) from 972 to 1148. The Zirids were emirs who ruled in the name of the Fatimids, and gradually established their autonomy in Ifriqiya through military conquest until officially breaking with the Fatimids in the mid-11th century. The main branch of the Zirids was based in Kairouan until 1057, when they moved the capital to Mahdia on the coast. The last Zirid ruler, al-Hasan, surrendered Mahdia to the Normans in 1148, thus ending independent Zirid rule.

Seat of power: Mahdia

Rulers

Hafsid dynasty, 1229–1574 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Hafsid dynasty was a Sunni Muslim dynasty of Berber descent that ruled Ifriqiya (modern day Tunisia, western Libya, and eastern Algeria) from 1229 to 1574. The dynasty was founded by Abu Zakariya Yahya, who was initially appointed governor of the region by the Almohad caliph before declaring his independence. Under the reigns of Abu Zakariya and his successor, al-Mustansir, the Hafsids consolidated and expanded their power, with Tunis as their capital. During the 16th century, as the Ottoman Empire encroached on the region, the Hafsids were propped up by Spain until the final Ottoman conquest of Tunis in 1574 put an end to their reign.

Seat of power: Tunis

Rulers

Beylik of Tunis, 1705–1881 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Beylik of Tunis was the legal form of present-day Tunisia, between 1705 and 1881. It was ruled by the Husainid dynasty until the establishment of the French protectorate of Tunisia. The Beys remained faithful to the Sublime Porte, but reigned as monarchs after gradually gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire. Between 1861 and 1864, the Beylik of Tunis became a constitutional monarchy after adopting the first constitution in Africa and the Arab world.

Seat of power: Tunis

Rulers

French protectorate of Tunisia, 1881–1956 Draft, not yet reviewed

The French protectorate of Tunisia was the period of French colonial rule in Tunisia that lasted from 1881 until Tunisian independence in 1956. The protectorate was established by the Bardo Treaty of 12 May 1881 after a military conquest, despite Italian disapproval. A new party, the Neo Destour, was created in 1934 whose methods quickly showed their effectiveness. After three years of guerrilla warfare, internal autonomy was granted in 1955, and the protectorate was finally abolished on 20 March 1956.

Seat of power: Tunis

Rulers

Tunisia, 1956 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. In 1956, Tunisia gained independence as the Tunisian Republic. In 2011, the Tunisian Revolution, which was triggered by dissatisfaction with the lack of freedom and democracy under the 24-year rule of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, overthrew his regime and catalyzed the broader Arab Spring movement across the region.

Seat of power: Tunis

Rulers

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