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History
In the earliest known period of its history, the region now called Tunisia was
part of the Carthaginian Empire. According to tradition, Phoenician traders founded
the city of Carthage in 814 BC at a location slightly northeast of the site of
modern Tunis.
In subsequent centuries Carthage became the center of a mighty empire that dominated
most of northern Africa and intermittently ruled the southern part of the Iberian
Peninsula, Sardinia, and parts of Sicily.
Beginning in 264 BC Carthage clashed with the expanding Roman Empire in a
series of bloody struggles known as the Punic Wars.
In the last of these, the Third Punic War (149-146 BC), Rome defeated the Carthaginians
and completely destroyed their capital. From the 2nd century BC to the 5th century
AD most of the region now constituting Tunisia was part of the Roman province
called Africa.
More on History
Recorded history in Tunisia begins with the arrival of Phoenicians, who founded
Carthage and other North African settlements in the 8th century BC. Carthage became
a major sea power, clashing with Rome for control of the Mediteranean until it
was defeated and captured by the Romans in 146 B.C.
The Romans ruled and settled in North Africa until the 5th century when the Roman
Empire fell and Tunisia was invaded by European tribes, including the Vandals.
The Muslim conquest in the 7th century transformed Tunisia's and the make-up of
its population, with subsequent waves of migration from around the Arab and Ottoman
world, including significant numbers of Spanish Moors and Jews at the end of the
15th century.
Tunisia became a center of Arab culture and learning and was assimilated into
the Turkish Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. It was a French protectorate from
1881 until independence in 1956, and retains close political, economic, and cultural
ties with France.
Culture
Tunis is a modern international metropolis one of the best-preserved
medieval cities in the Islamic world.
Tunisian dishes include authentic lamb or dorado (bream) cous-cous,
the fish dishes, tajine and brik or brik à l'oeuf (egg and a tasty
filling fried in an envelope of pastry). Belly dancing is a common
cabaret feature and lively local bands often play traditional music.
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