The African Quest

The following is a chronology of actual historical events referenced in the story

B.C.E.

12th century Phoenicians establish their culture in Eastern Mediterranean

1100–1000 Beginnings of Phoenician expansion throughout Mediterranean

820–774 Reign of Pygmalion of Tyre

814 Elissa"™s flight from Tyre and the founding of Carthage (Qart Hadasht)

600–300 Continuing conflict between Carthage and Greece

333–331 Siege of Tyre; city falls to Alexander the Great

310–307 Agathocles of Syracuse invades North Africa, challenges Carthage

309–308 Attempted coup d"™etat by Carthaginian general Bomilcar

263–241 First Punic War between Carthage and Rome

218 Hannibal crosses the Alps, beginning of second war with Rome

149–146 Third Punic War

146 Carthage falls to Rome, city destroyed, Roman rule until 439 C.E.

438 Vandals capture Carthage

533 Byzantine rule begins

647 Arab rule begins

797 on Succession of dynasties: Aghlabites, Fatimids, Almohads, Hafsids

1574 Tunisia becomes part of Ottoman Empire

1881 France invades Tunisia; French protectorate in 1883

1956 Tunisia granted independence, Habib Bourguiba is president

1964 Bourguiba nationalizes lands of remaining French settlers

1987 (November 7) Zine El-Abidine ben Ali seizes power