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The Maltese islands have attracted
thousands of visitors to its
prehistoric treasures which
unravel an exciting world
of mystery and legends.
Below
is a timeline of Malta's
history through the Millennia
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Prehistoric
Temples of Mnajdra, dating
back to 3000 BC, predating
Stonehenge by at least 1000
years |
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7500BC
First
presence of man in malta
Remains, from as early as 7500
BC can be found on Malta. These
include the infamous Hypogeum,
which lies more 12 feet underground
and houses artifacts so ancient
that many of them have never been
given a date. |
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3600BC-
2500BC
Intriguing
and unique cultures
Over 5500 years old, the Ggantija
Temples are the world's oldest
free-standing structures pre-dating
the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge.
These temples were possibly
the site of a cult as figurines
and statues were also found
on discovery. In Maltese the
world Ggantija meant "belonging
to the giants" |
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1000BC
Phoenician
Outpost
The Phoencians colonised the islands,
building ports and using them
as a central trading post. |
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720BC
Greeks
in Malta
A Greek colony was founded on
the main island. |
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400BC
Carthaginian
Outpost
The Maltese Islands were taken
over by the Carthage. |
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218BC
Roman
Malta
The Romans began to rule the
Maltese Islands. Vast archeological
remains including baths, villas,
farms and harbours point to
a period of prosperity and cultural
advancement. |
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60AD
Christianity
in Malta
According to the Bible St Paul
was shipwrecked on Malta at a
place known today as St Paul's
Bay. |
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870AD
Arab
Invasion
Malta was conquered by the Arabs.
Sicily, Spain and all of North
Africa also came under Arab
rule. Few archeological remains
survived from this period. |
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1000-1127
Arrival
of the Normans
Count Roger 1 of Sicily established
Norman rule in Malta, and Christianity
was strengthened on the islands
once again. |
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1530-1798
The
Knights of Malta
To protect Rome from Islamic
invasion in 1530, Charles V
handed Malta over to the knights
of St John. In 1565, the Knights
of Malta withstood a siege by
the Ottoman Empire. The Knights
increased the fortifications,
particularly in the city of
Valletta. |
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1798-1800
French
Invasion
Napoleon seized the islands from
the Knights of St John. French
forces were mainly unaccepted
by the Maltese who, with the Britsh
navel support, rebelled, forcing
them behind the fortifications,
in a long blockade that ended
with their surrender and departure
from the island. |
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1800
British
Malta
It was the Maltese who solicited
the British to offer the island
protection in their plight against
the French. Britain liberated
the islands and appointed Sir
Alexander John Ball as Governor.
As part of the Treaty of Paris,
Malta officially became part
of the British Empire and was
used as a shipping way-station
and as the headquarters for
the Mediterranean Fleet, up
till 1979. |
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1939
- 1945
From Second World War horror to
honours
The Italians, together with the
Germans, attacked and attempted
to invade Malta during World War
II. The Italians wanted to annex
the islands which they considered
Italian for centuries, whilst
the Germans were interested in
destroying the British bases.
However the Allied forces and
Maltese were tough opposition
and stood firm in the face of
heavy bombardment. The people
of Malta were awarded the George
Cross for gallantry in the Second
World War. |
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1964
Independence
Malta was granted independence
from Great Britain, but retained
active membership of the British
Commonwealth of Nations. |
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2004,
2008 EU
Membership
In 2004, Malta joined the European
Union and in 2008 adopted the
Euro as its natural currency,
replacing the Lira. |
