Timeline of Libya

Chronology

31 events spanning the history of Libya. BCE/CE dating.

1. 107 BCE

   Northwestern Libya is conquered by Rome.

   Northwestern Libya is conquered by Rome, and comes under administration of Africa Proconsularis which has its administrative center around Carthage. The region becomes later a province of its own, under the name of Tripolitania.

2. 455

   Vandals take possession of Libya.

   Vandals take possession of Libya.

3. 643

   Arabs under Amr Ibn al-As conquer Libya and spread Islam.

   Amr Ibnu l-As conquers northeastern Libya, known as Barka, and the region becomes part of the new Muslim Empire governed from Madina in today’s Saudi Arabia.

4. 647

   Tripolitania is conquered by the Arabs.

   Tripolitania is conquered by the Arabs.

5. 1146

   Tripolitania and Cyrenaica is conquered by the Normans of Sicily.

   Tripolitania and Cyrenaica is conquered by the Normans of Sicily.

6. 1521

   Barka is incorporated into the Ottoman Empire, but control remains in the hands of local rulers.

   Libya becomes part of the Ottoman Empire, which joins the three provinces of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan into one regency in Tripoli.

7. 1711 – 1835

   Rise of the Karamanli dynasty

   Rise of the Karamanli dynasty, which served to protect the corsair activity centred to Tripoli, and strongly irritating European powers. Still, trade between Libya and Europe thrives. Much of this trade was with slaves, destined for the American continent.

8. 1801 – 1805

   First Barbary War fought between Tripolitania and the USA

   First Barbary War fought between Tripolitania and the USA, ending with the defeat of the pasha in Tripoli.

9. 1911 – 1912

   Italy conquers Libya.

   Italian invasion, and a battle over control of Libya starts. The Sanussiys become the leaders of Libyan resistance.

10. 1929

    Tripolitania and Cyrenaica is united under Italian rule.

    Tripolitania and Cyrenaica is united under Italian rule.