The Classical Age in Morocco

The history of Morocco dates back to ancient times and successive civilizations, including the Ashuli, Mousterian, Aterian, Iberomaurusian, Mauritanian, Byzantine, until the Islamic conquest in the 1st century AH, when Morocco and North Africa were incorporated into the Umayyad Caliphate in Damascus. After the fall of the Umayyads, the Alids gained independence in Morocco and competed with the successors of the Banu Umayya in al-Andalus.

Phoenician and Carthaginian economic activity in Morocco

The origin of the Phoenicians is attributed to the Semitic peoples who migrated to Phoenicia, which is modern-day Lebanon, located east of the Mediterranean Sea. Carthage is located on the central coast of North Africa, now Tunisia. The ancient Maghreb was located in the far west of North Africa and had a location that overlooked two seas, facilitating maritime trade.

From 1100 BCE, Phoenician sailors crossed the Strait of Gibraltar (Pillars of Hercules) and established the city of Gades on the banks of the Great River... They carried goods brought by caravans from Africa and the East, including perfumes, precious stones, ivory, and some goods such as purple dye, metals, and glassware. From Cyprus, they transported copper, and from Spain, silver.

The ancient Maghreb passed through several stages:

Before 1280 BCE, the indigenous Berbers of the ancient Maghreb lived in tribes. The Phoenicians arrived in Morocco for trade purposes, and Carthage was founded by Phoenician traders led by Dido in 814 BCE. In 40 BCE, the Romans conquered the ancient Maghreb.

Hanno's voyage along the coasts of Morocco

Carthage was established by a group of merchants from the city of Tyre in 814 BCE, led by Dido. It quickly became an important commercial center that connected East and West. Hanno set out on a long sea journey from Carthage, passing through the Mediterranean coast of Morocco and then the Atlantic coast, where he founded several centers, including Timaeus, Solis, and Gytta.

Trade between the Carthaginians and Berbers was initially based on bartering before the use of bronze coins in the second half of the 4th century BCE. Carthage would buy raw materials and sell manufactured goods.

The Berber kingdoms in North Africa

Berber kingdoms were established in Numidia and Mauretania in North Africa, which passed through several stages:

In 202 BCE, the kingdom of Numidia was formed by Masinissa.
In 108 BCE, the kingdom of Mauretania was formed by Bocchus the Elder.
In 25 BCE, Juba II united Numidia and Mauretania.
In 40 CE, Morocco was exposed to Roman occupation.

The basis of the Berber tribe in Morocco

(The basic unit of the Moroccan tribe is the family consisting of the father, mother, and their children. This is followed by the family or extended family, which may also have a specific spatial shape, alongside the clan or branch and the tribe, leading up to the alliance or league... The league: here it means the union of tribes. The branch: a part of the tribe. The alliance: the union.)

Transition from tribal system to establishment of kingdoms

The Berber society was primarily composed of tribes, with each tribe consisting of several families or extended families or branches. When tribes unite, they form an alliance or league that helps establish kingdoms, as seen in the formation of Numidia and Mauretania. Notable Berber kings include Masinissa, who expanded his kingdom's borders and reformed its lands, and Amazighrata, known for his military leadership.

Emergence of resistance against Roman occupation

(When the kings failed to stop the Roman colonial expansion... The phenomenon of popular resistance emerged... The tribes began to fight the Romans spontaneously. In...)