 History of Tunisia which dates back to more than 3,000 years enveloping many civilizations. The land of Tunisia though established by Phoenicians, was vandalized and colonized by a list of invaders like Romans, Spaniards, Arabs, Turks and the French. No wonder, the city has so many places of historical significance.
Tunisia has a history of over more than 3,000 years which starts from the times of Phoenicians and to the modern times of French rule. Tunisia was first settled by various nomadic tribes who were called Berbers. The remarkable history of Tunisia starts with the settling down of the coastal areas of Tunisia by Phoenicians in the 10th century BC.
 Carthage holds the biggest name in the history of Tunisia. In the 9th century BC, the city became the trading post of the Phoenicians which later developed to become one of the most prosperous western Mediterranean cities. By the end of the 6th century BC, it was one of most powerful cities in the Mediterranean. In the second and third century BC, Carthage became the arch rival of Rome. Romans called this new empire of Carthage, Punic.
Carthage suffered the most after the 2nd and 3rd BC with the Roman attacks. The Punic Wars completely destroyed Carthage despite the successful march of Hannibal over the Alps in Italy. In the last Punic War the Romans completely conquered Carthage and the people were sold in slavery. The Romans took over many parts of Tunisia and made it a colony with the establishment of magnificent towns like Dougga and Sbeitla. After the conquest, the region was completely latinized and Christianized.
The Romans were followed by Spanish Vandals in 436 AD, who ruled till the invasion of Arabs. In 670 AD, the Arabs came to Tunisia and captured most of the parts of North Africa and established the city of Kairouan. Tunisia then saw the arrival of Ottoman Turks in 1574 and they maintained their rule for over 300 years in the country. The Turks were ousted by French in 1881 and the French protectorate was established in 1883. In the First and Second World War, thousands of Tunisians joined the French troops. Tunisians expected freedom from the French as a reward for their participation in the war, but were left disappointed. They revolted against the French power and were granted freedom on 20th March, 1956 and Habib Bourguiba became the first president of Tunisia. |