Section # 6
Malta Through The Ages
Prehistoric Age in Malta.
Circa 5200 BC to circa 700 BC
A vast amount of Prehistoric Temples and remains were found in Malta.
The Phoenicians who were sea-faring people came to Malta and established one of their colonies here.
Circa 700 BC to circa 500 BC
Phoenician Terracotta Sarcophagus found in a rock-cut grave in Rabat, Malta
The Carthaginians who came from north Africa were constantly fighting the Romans in sea battles called the Punic Wars. Being in the middle between Rome and north Africa, Malta was used by the Carthaginians to shelter their galleons in its good harbors.
Circa 500 BC to 218 BC
Punic Candelabrum known as Cippus was found probably in Marsaxlokk in Malta and is now in the National Museum of Archaeology.
Circa 500 BC to 218 BC
Punic Candelabrum known as Cippus was found probably in Marsaxlokk in Malta and is now in the National Museum of Archaeology.
The Romans conquered the world of their time and their Emperor ruled over the enormous Roman Empire. They occupied Malta without battles because the Maltese were quite happy with the Romans. Under their rule Malta prospered.
218 BC t0 450 AD
The beautiful mosaic floor in the Roman Town-House found in 1881 in Rabat. From the structure of the house, statues and other remains, it probably belonged to some rich Roman Family.
218 BC t0 450 AD
The beautiful mosaic floor in the Roman Town-House found in 1881 in Rabat. From the structure of the house, statues and other remains, it probably belonged to some rich Roman Family.
The Romans called people who were not in their Empire as Barbarians. To the north-east of the Roman Empire rose several "German Tribes" which invaded several countries. Unlike the Romans they were not that advanced and organized. They fought, killed and destroyed where ever they conquered. Although they also came to Malta we do not know much about them and they did not leave any valuable remains at all.
Circa 450 AD to circa 535 AD
An artist's impression of the Barbarians.
Circa 450 AD to circa 535 AD
An artist's impression of the Barbarians.
The Byzantines, also known as Greeks stayed in Malta for more than 300 years. Few remains remind us of these people at that period of our History. At 'Tas-Silg' the remains of a Byzantine Basilica was unearthed in 1960. Maybe in the future more excavations will reveal other remains.
Circa 535 AD to 870 AD
The photo on the left is a secondary gate to Mdina and is attributed to the Byzantines, although it may have been made by the Arabs who built the bastions around Mdina.
The Arabs stayed and governed Malta for more than 200 years. They taught us several useful skills especially in agriculture. The Maltese inherited a great part of the Arabian language which although it is different, maltese is a semitic language and has many similarities. Nowadays, several Italianized, English and technical words are also part and parcel of our language.
870 AD to 1091 AD
The Arabs left several structures in Malta including several parts of Mdina and Fort St. Angelo. Besides, many burial remains were found such as the one in the photo. The most famous was a carved tomb stone with a beautiful message to a girl, named Maimuna. This was found in Gozo.
Late Medival remains are found in Is-Simblija near Dingli and in the citadel in Victoria, Gozo. In Bormla there is the Bir Mula Heritage Museum with connections to this period.
1091AD to I530 AD
The Photo shows part of St Agata's catacombs in Rabat, which became a pilgrimage center in late medieval times.
1091AD to I530 AD
The Photo shows part of St Agata's catacombs in Rabat, which became a pilgrimage center in late medieval times.
The Order of the Knights of St. John came to Malta unwillingly after the Turks forced them to leave Rhodes. In 1565, the Turks came to Malta in their thousands on their ships. They wanted to destroy the Order once and for all. So a four months long siege began. Finally the Turks had to return never to come back. After this Malta became the home of the Knights and they not only built the city of Valletta but their works can still be seen all over the island.
1530AD to 1798 AD
This is the photo of Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette who led the Knights and the Maltese against the Turks during the Great Siege. He built a fortified city which was to become the Capital City of Malta and which was named Valletta after him.
French General Napoleon Bonaparte with his fleet arrived in Malta in 1798 on his way to attack Egypt. But he saw the strategic position of Malta and took it over from the Knights. He left several French to rule Malta, but the Maltese soon discovered that the French were up to no good. After about two years they managed to get rid of them with the help of Admiral Horatio Nelson and the British Navy.
1798 AD to 1800 AD
Napoleon Bonaparte was the general of the great French Army which conquered many countries all over Europe.
Since the beginning of the 19th century Malta was under the British for more than 160 years. There were very good years under the British because they offered good jobs to many Maltese. Besides, the British improved our way of living. But unfortunately, there were also bad years. Malta was involved badly in World War ll because it was a British military and naval base. They say that Malta is the most bombarded island and this caused great hardship. But the British influence was very beneficial in many ways.
1800 AD to 1964 AD
The above flag is called the Union Jack. When Malta was under the British one could see this flag almost everywhere.
1800 AD to 1964 AD
The above flag is called the Union Jack. When Malta was under the British one could see this flag almost everywhere.
On the 21st September 1964, Malta became an Independent Nation. The road to this great achievement was long and by no means easy, but it was worth it. At last we are our own boss and the Maltese have their own government, their own parliament and can make their own laws and regulations.
1964.......................
Dr. George Borg Olivier, then Prim Minister of Malta is seen showing the documents which were signed by the British and Maltese governments, making Malta an Independent Nation.