Contents The history of Mallorca... (2/9) Mallorca-Market Startpage


700-146 BC
The Balearics are colonized first by the Phoenicians, then the Carthaginians. In these centuries the Balears were used - especially Mallorca as the biggest island - by the Carthagians as a strategically base for their war against the Romans. In 146 BC, Carthage finally falls to Rome after losing the Punic Wars.
The Romans annex the Balearics.
The countryside is exploited for agriculture.
Oil and wine are the principal products.

123 BC
Mallorca is occupied by the Romans under the leadership of Consul Quintus Cecelio Metellus. Under his command the Romans fight against piracy outgoing from the Balearics.
Ibiza avoids military conquest by Rome despite backing Carthage, and remains distinctly Catharginian.
After the triumph over the pirates more than 3.000 roman soldiers occupied Mallorca and establish i.e. the town Palma in the south, Pollenca and Puerto Pollenca in the north, Manacor and Sineu.

2. AC - 3. AC
The islands are converted to Christianity.  

4. AC
The first churches are built on Mallorca. But no church in the near of Palma.
In this century the Romans are loosing influence and military power.
426: Vandals devastate the islands, and persecute Christians. Trade decreases.
Also Byzantinians and Moors occupied Mallorca.
Century of the 'Dark Ages' for the Balearics.

5. AC
Although the roman domination the Vandals conquer and destroy the island Mallorca under the leadership of Gunderich in the year 426.
15 years the brutal govenor Geiserich, a brother of Gunderich, governs Mallorca from 455 until the year 465. The time of the persecute of the Christians began.
Geiserich
'Geiserich' coin

534 AC
The christian religion is restored by the Byzantines under Apolinar, who defeat the Vandals. This again means controlled by the roman empire.
By 700, North Africans are raiding the islands.
But also under the management of Konstantinopel - the oriental center of the roman empire - the piracy in the Balears took no end.

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