HAFSID

In 1228, Abu Zakariya Yahya formed the Hafsid Dynasty after claiming autonomy from the Almohad Dynasty. In its early years, the Hafsid Dynasty overcame conflict with the crusade of Saint Louis, following the crusade’s failed attempt in Egypt [i]. Abu Zakariya Yahya was able to minimize tribal conflicts during his reign, which allowed for the dynasty to flourish. In the 14th century, expansionist ideals allowed for Hafsid occupation in the region of Ifrqiya. Dynastic struggles ultimately led to the downfall of the Hafsid Dynasty as Spanish forces took the coast, and Turkish forces seized Tunis, marking the end of the Hafsid Empire [ii].

During the reign of the Hafsid civilization, they cemented trade agreements with Spanish, Italian and Provencal communities that allowed for their economic system to flourish. Trade agreements and tribal alliances allowed for the Hafsid Dynasty to maintain political, economic, and military power [iii] in North Africa for nearly three centuries. Rivals stemmed from prevalent Hafsid piracy in the Mediterranean Sea which created tensions with European and Turkish powers along the Mediterranean. These tensions eventually led to the Hafsid Dynasty’s demise as Spanish forces took large portions of the coast and the Turkish Ottoman Empire [iv] seized major cities like Tripoli, Carthage, and Tunis.

The Hafsid Dynasty’s influence can be seen in many aspects of North African culture today. Roman architecture, like aqueducts and arches [v] were revitalized in North Africa through the Hafsids, and these structures can be seen in cities across Tunisia and Libya to this day. Tunisia got its name from the city of Tunis, which became a bustling economic hub through the Hafsids’ reign. The most prominent legacy the Hafsid Dynasty had was its capital city of Tunis. In Tunis you can still see the many buildings constructed during the Hafsid reign, and the everlasting influence they have on Tunisia’s vibrant culture [vi].

The Hafsid Dynasty started as an autonomous state that was subordinate to the Almohad Caliphate [vii], but after the fall of the Almohads, the Hafsids claimed to be their successors and started the Hafsid Caliphate. Leadership was then passed down hereditarily in a dynastic system. Under the caliph, there was an aristocracy made up of tribal leaders. These aristocrats provided military support to the Hafsids in return for political power. This unified the tribal states under Hafsid rule which created a central government system. In this system there were civil servants who controlled offices, including the public finance process and taxation systems [viii].

For three centuries the Hafsids ruled North Africa and made it one of the most flourishing regions in the world. Tunis, the dynasty’s capital, was an economic hub where merchants from all across the Mediterranean would come to claim a piece of North African culture. Abu Zakariya Yahya [ix] unified tribal leaders and became the successor to the great Almohad Dynasty. Continuing the power and influence from the Almohads, the Hafsids cemented their influence across North Africa by revitalizing cities such as Tripoli and Carthage [x]. Tunis was the dynasty’s greatest influence as the great city still stands today in modern day Tunisia.

The biggest accomplishment of the Hafsid Dynasty was their capital city of Tunis [xi]. Their ability to make this the central economic and cultural hub for the North African region and a major trading post for the whole Mediterranean region brought cultural exchange to new heights for the Arab world. Aside from Tunis, the Hafsids started and developed the Maliki School of Islamic Law [xii], which set the foundation for social life for the dynasty and region as a whole. One major military accomplishment for the Hafsid Dynasty was their victory over Saint Louis’ crusade [xiii] which followed their failed crusade attempt in neighboring Egypt.

The Hafsid Dynasty brought a period of economic prosperity to North Africa. Major cities such as Tunis and Tripoli were notable trading stops for merchants as they travelled through Mediterranean and North Africa. These key trading stops [xiv] led civilizations in Spain and Italy to create trade agreements that allowed North Africa to be connected to the European markets. At its height, the Hafsid Dynasty was a major economic power on the Mediterranean and connected the Arab and African world to Europe. Major trading cities like Tunis allowed for cultural exchange that enabled the Hafsid Empire’s knowledge to spread across the region.