7th century – 8th century
Ifriqiya and North Africa
Hassan ibn al-Numan was an Arab governor and military commander who led the final major phase of the conquest of Byzantine Africa and the suppression of Berber resistance in Ifriqiya. He destroyed Carthage's port, captured remaining Byzantine fortresses, defeated and killed al-Kahina in 701, and established Tunis as a new port in 702. He also organized the province of Africa by incorporating Tripolitania, Ifriqiya, and the Mzab region.
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The Story
Hassan ibn al-Numan was appointed by the caliph Abd al-Malik after the death of Zuhayr ibn Qays and the continuing Byzantine threat. He raised a large army and used Egypt's tax revenues to finance the expedition, intending to complete the conquest of the Maghrib. His first objective was to eliminate Byzantine power and prevent renewed cooperation between the Byzantines and Berber leaders.
After reaching Kairouan, Hassan marched on Carthage and destroyed its port so that Byzantine ships could no longer use it. He dispatched columns against the remaining Byzantine colonies and fortresses, including those around Bizerta, Hippo Regius, and Tabarka. These positions fell to the Arabs, and many Byzantine survivors fled to Mediterranean islands.
Hassan then faced al-Kahina, the Djarawa leader who had rallied Zanata groups in the Aures. After suffering defeat at Wadi Miskiana in 696, he retreated to Barka. Reinforced in 699 by Arab and Berber troops, Hassan returned to the offensive and defeated al-Kahina in 701. The settlement required the Aures Berbers to provide soldiers for the Arab army, thereby strengthening the military basis of the new province.
Hassan consolidated the conquest by destroying Carthage in 702 and founding Tunis on the site of an older Phoenician harbour. He ordered the construction of a canal and shipyard and then organized Ifriqiya administratively. His province included Tripolitania, Ifriqiya proper, and the Mzab region, while the central and western Maghrib remained only theoretically within the Islamic empire.
7th century – 8th century
Ifriqiya and North Africa
Hassan ibn al-Numan was an Arab governor and military commander who led the final major phase of the conquest of Byzantine Africa and the suppression of Berber resistance in Ifriqiya. He destroyed Carthage's port, captured remaining Byzantine fortresses, defeated and killed al-Kahina in 701, and established Tunis as a new port in 702. He also organized the province of Africa by incorporating Tripolitania, Ifriqiya, and the Mzab region.
Continue exploring
The Story
Hassan ibn al-Numan was appointed by the caliph Abd al-Malik after the death of Zuhayr ibn Qays and the continuing Byzantine threat. He raised a large army and used Egypt's tax revenues to finance the expedition, intending to complete the conquest of the Maghrib. His first objective was to eliminate Byzantine power and prevent renewed cooperation between the Byzantines and Berber leaders.
After reaching Kairouan, Hassan marched on Carthage and destroyed its port so that Byzantine ships could no longer use it. He dispatched columns against the remaining Byzantine colonies and fortresses, including those around Bizerta, Hippo Regius, and Tabarka. These positions fell to the Arabs, and many Byzantine survivors fled to Mediterranean islands.
Hassan then faced al-Kahina, the Djarawa leader who had rallied Zanata groups in the Aures. After suffering defeat at Wadi Miskiana in 696, he retreated to Barka. Reinforced in 699 by Arab and Berber troops, Hassan returned to the offensive and defeated al-Kahina in 701. The settlement required the Aures Berbers to provide soldiers for the Arab army, thereby strengthening the military basis of the new province.
Hassan consolidated the conquest by destroying Carthage in 702 and founding Tunis on the site of an older Phoenician harbour. He ordered the construction of a canal and shipyard and then organized Ifriqiya administratively. His province included Tripolitania, Ifriqiya proper, and the Mzab region, while the central and western Maghrib remained only theoretically within the Islamic empire.
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