< back to menu

Middle Ages: From Suppression to Self-Power

In 870 Arab troops from Tunisia were able to conquer Malta and ruled the islands for over 200 years. Malta became an important trade centre between Tunis, Syracuse and Alexandria. The Arabs brought new agricultural methods (especially irrigation) and plants like citrus fruits, figs and cotton. Their most important contribution was undoubtedly their language, which was the chief source of "Malti," present-day Maltese. Today 99% of all place and personal names are or Arabic origin. Nearly all the islanders converted to Islam until the end of the 11th century, when Christianity was gradually reinstated by the Sicilian Normans.

The islands passed from hand to hand, the Maltese themselves having no power to decide on their rulers and government. The Swabians took over Sicily and Malta (1194-1266), as did the French House of Anjou (1266-1283), which encouraged Malta to adopt the Latin alphabet.

Aragon (Spain) took possession ofMalta (1283-1530). The Aragonese had little interest in the Maltese people and allowed a self-governing body, the so-called Università, a council of the leading Maltese landowners, to be established. The Università, which continued its existence until Napoleonic times, was responsible for the maintenance of the fortification, the market, public hygiene, and the collection of taxes. In 1469 the marrriage of Fredinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile created the new Spanish Empire, to which Malta belonged.

In 1530 their grandson, the Emperor Charles V, presented the islands to the Knights of the Order of St John, and Malta's golden age as a military, cultural, medical, architectural, and religious centre began.

Daniela Röcher