Tripoli, Capitol of Libya

Tripoli, the capitol of Libya, is the largest city in the country and is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea (Frysinger). Tripoli began as a small trading depot (like other cities along the coast) for the Phoenicians along the Mediterranean Sea in the 12th century BC. In the 5th century BC the Phoenicians had extended their power and began to build up these trading posts. They settled in modern day Tripoli which was originally named Oea by the Phoenicians, along with two other cities in the area Labdah and Sabratah. This region was then called Tripolis, or “three cities,” (CountryStudies.us).

Later on in the 2nd century BC, Oea became owned by the Bebers briefly after the Punic Wars between Rome and the Phoenicians. The Berbers at this time were allies to the Romans and were given the city. Oea again was held under a different empire about 100 years later when Julius Caesar broke the alliance with the Berbers and annexed all of the territory they had given to Rome (CountryStudies.us). After Caesar gained control of Oea, he renamed the city Tripolitania (CountryStudies.us).

From about the 15th century AD until the 1800’s, Tripolitania was controlled by the Ottoman Empire and was still a major city for trade and had become an area affected by piracy. Again in the early 1900’s Tripolitania (renamed Tripoli) was given to Italy from Turkey as well as northern Libya. The Libyans attempted to fight the Italians and free themselves from control. But this would not happen until after World War II in 1951 (Infoplease.com).

Sources:

CountryStudies.us. “ Tripolitania and the Phoenicians.” http://countrystudies.us/libya/5.htm.

Frysinger, Galen. “People and Places of the World.” http://www.galenfrysinger.com/tripoli_libya.htm.

Infoplease.com. “Libya History.” 2008. http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0859277.html.