A very brief history of Malta
A. Prehistoric times
Archaeologists believe that Malta was first settled around 5200 BC by Stone Age hunters or farmers who had come from Sicily. After that followed a culture of megalithic temple builders. Around 3500 BC, these people built some of the oldest existing, free-standing stone structures in the world: the megalithic Ġgantija temples on Gozo and the temples at Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra. Animal bones and a knife found behind a removable altar stone suggest that temple rituals included animal sacrifice, probably to the goddess of fertility. The culture disappeared from the Maltese Islands around 2500 BC.
After 2500 BC, the Maltese Islands were uninhibited for many years until the arrival of Bronze Age immigrants, probably again from Sicily. This culture introduced smaller megalithic structures called dolmens to Malta. Similar dolmens can be found on Sicily.
After 2500 BC, the Maltese Islands were uninhibited for many years until the arrival of Bronze Age immigrants, probably again from Sicily. This culture introduced smaller megalithic structures called dolmens to Malta. Similar dolmens can be found on Sicily.
B. Phoenicians & Romans
Phoenician traders, who used the islands as a stop on their trade routes from the eastern Mediterranean to Cornwall, settled alongside the natives on Malta. The Romans called the island Melita, meaning 'sweet', probably because of the honey made on the island. After the fall of Phoenicia, in 400 BC Carthage, a former Phoenician colony, took control of the islands. During this time the people on Malta mainly cultivated olives and carobs, and produced textiles. During the First Punic War of 264 BC, the Maltese people rebelled against Carthage and joined the Roman Empire. By 117 AD, the Maltese Islands were a thriving part of the Empire. When it split into Eastern and Western empire in the 4th century, Malta fell under the control of the Greek speaking Byzantine Empire, which ruled from Constantinople. Although Malta was under Byzantine rule for four centuries, not much is known from this period. There is evidence that Germanic tribes, including the Goths and Vandals, briefly took control of the islands before the Byzantines took it back.
C. Arab period & Middle Ages
Malta became involved in the Arab–Byzantine Wars around 827. In 870 AD Arab invaders looted and pillaged the island, destroying the most important buildings, and leaving it practically uninhabited. In 1048 the island was recolonised by Arabs from Sicily. The Arabs introduced new irrigation, some fruits and cotton. Their Sicilian-Arabic language was adopted on the island, the beginning of today's Maltese language. The Christians in the island were allowed freedom of religion.
In 1091, as part of their conquest of Sicily, the Norman leader Roger I of Sicily was welcomed by the native Maltese Christians. Thus Malta became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Sicily. Catholicism became the state religion, and some Norman architecture sprung up around Malta, especially in its ancient capital Mdina. As the islands were of strategic importance, it was during this time the men of Malta were militarised to fight off attacks.
The kingdom of Sicily passed on to the House of Hohenstaufen in 1194. During this period, the influence of Western culture and religion increased. Malta formed part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation for 72 years. In 1224 under Frederick II all remaining Muslims were expelled from Malta or forced to convert.
In 1282 Malta fell under the rule of the Aragonese. Relatives of the kings of Aragon ruled the island until 1409, when it passed to the Crown of Aragon.
In 1091, as part of their conquest of Sicily, the Norman leader Roger I of Sicily was welcomed by the native Maltese Christians. Thus Malta became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Sicily. Catholicism became the state religion, and some Norman architecture sprung up around Malta, especially in its ancient capital Mdina. As the islands were of strategic importance, it was during this time the men of Malta were militarised to fight off attacks.
The kingdom of Sicily passed on to the House of Hohenstaufen in 1194. During this period, the influence of Western culture and religion increased. Malta formed part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation for 72 years. In 1224 under Frederick II all remaining Muslims were expelled from Malta or forced to convert.
In 1282 Malta fell under the rule of the Aragonese. Relatives of the kings of Aragon ruled the island until 1409, when it passed to the Crown of Aragon.
D. Knights of Malta & Napoleon
1530 Emperor Charles V gave the Maltese islands to the Knights Hospitaller. These knights, a military religious order now known as the Knights of Malta, had been driven out of Rhodes by the Ottoman Empire in 1522. In 1551, Barbary corsairs enslaved the entire population of the Maltese island Gozo, about 5,000, deporting them to the Barbary coast.
The knights, led by Frenchman Jean Parisot de la Valette, Grand Master of the Order, withstood a siege by the Ottomans in 1565. The knights, with the help of the Maltese people, were victorious. After the siege they decided to increase Malta's fortifications, and built the new city of Valletta. They also erected watchtowers along the coasts.
A new enemy arrived on Malta in the 17th century when ca. 11,000 people out of a population of 60,000 died of plague in 1675. The area of the Knights ended when Napoleon captured Malta on his way to Egypt during the French Revolutionary Wars in 1798. Napoleon asked the Knights for safe harbour to resupply his ships, and then turned his guns against his hosts once safely inside Valletta. Grand Master Hompesch capitulated, and Napoleon entered Malta.
During a six-day stay on the island, Napoleon launched many reforms, for example the abolition of slavery and the introduction of public education. He then sailed for Egypt. However, the French forces left behind became unpopular with the Maltese. French financial and religious policies angered the Maltese and they rebelled. Great Britain sent ammunition and aid and her navy to the Maltese, which blockaded the islands. In 1800 the French surrendered and left Malta. Maltese leaders asked that the island become a part of the British Empire.
The knights, led by Frenchman Jean Parisot de la Valette, Grand Master of the Order, withstood a siege by the Ottomans in 1565. The knights, with the help of the Maltese people, were victorious. After the siege they decided to increase Malta's fortifications, and built the new city of Valletta. They also erected watchtowers along the coasts.
A new enemy arrived on Malta in the 17th century when ca. 11,000 people out of a population of 60,000 died of plague in 1675. The area of the Knights ended when Napoleon captured Malta on his way to Egypt during the French Revolutionary Wars in 1798. Napoleon asked the Knights for safe harbour to resupply his ships, and then turned his guns against his hosts once safely inside Valletta. Grand Master Hompesch capitulated, and Napoleon entered Malta.
During a six-day stay on the island, Napoleon launched many reforms, for example the abolition of slavery and the introduction of public education. He then sailed for Egypt. However, the French forces left behind became unpopular with the Maltese. French financial and religious policies angered the Maltese and they rebelled. Great Britain sent ammunition and aid and her navy to the Maltese, which blockaded the islands. In 1800 the French surrendered and left Malta. Maltese leaders asked that the island become a part of the British Empire.
E. British Empire, war & independence
In 1814, as part of the Treaty of Paris, Malta officially became a part of the British Empire. It was an important stop on the way to India for the British. They introduced several culinary and botanical products in Malta, for example wheat (for bread making) and bacon.
During World War II, Malta played an important role for the allied forces. For their bravery during the second Siege of Malta the Maltese people were awarded the George Cross in April 1942. A replica of the George Cross now appears in the upper hoist corner of the Flag of Malta.
Malta became independent on 21 September 1964 (Independence Day), but kept Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Malta. Malta was declared a republic on 13 December 1974 (Republic Day) within the Commonwealth. On 16 July 1990, Malta applied to join the European Union. It joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. Malta joined the Eurozone on 1 January 2008.
During World War II, Malta played an important role for the allied forces. For their bravery during the second Siege of Malta the Maltese people were awarded the George Cross in April 1942. A replica of the George Cross now appears in the upper hoist corner of the Flag of Malta.
Malta became independent on 21 September 1964 (Independence Day), but kept Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Malta. Malta was declared a republic on 13 December 1974 (Republic Day) within the Commonwealth. On 16 July 1990, Malta applied to join the European Union. It joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. Malta joined the Eurozone on 1 January 2008.