Draft:History of Oran
Situated on the northwest coast of Algeria, Oran is the second biggest city in all of Algeria[1], and has a rich history that unfolds from ancient times as a Phoenician trading post. Over the years, it played a crucial role in different historical eras.
Prehistory
Prehistoric Humans
The site of
Judaisation of Oran
According to legend, certain tribes in North Africa were Judaized by a disciple and companion of the prophet Moses, Joshua, who is said to be buried in Tlemcen. Fleeing persecution by the pharaohs against the Israelites, Joshua headed towards the Maghreb. Observing that the contemporary populations practiced paganism, he taught them monotheism and Hebrew laws. Some of these populations accepted and adopted it as their religion, albeit without active proselytism, leading to limited expansion. The legend persists, claiming that Joshua is buried on a beach equidistant from Ghazaouet and Nédroma. His mausoleum has been a pilgrimage site for centuries, especially during Jewish festivals.[3]
Punic-Roman Period
Several ancient sites have been identified in the vicinity of Oran, revealing notable Punic and Roman presences. The Punic period is primarily evidenced by the vast necropolis of Andalusia and numerous artifacts such as vases, bowls, and urns found on the site. These discoveries were made during the expansion of the tourist zone at Andalouses Beach, located 30 kilometers west of Oran. Many other objects have also been unearthed more recently in the neighboring regions of Bousfer and El Ançor An old hypothesis suggested that the first Jews arrived with the Phoenicians However, this hypothesis is now challenged, as there is no archaeological, epigraphic, or other evidence to support pre-Roman African Judaism. Still, Jewish presence becomes more prominent in comparison to other provinces of the Roman West, and it is well documented in the Late Roman Empire.[4]
While the Phoenicians selected the Madagh cove west of Oran for their trading post, the Romans opted to develop the site of
It's not surprising that the Romans bestowed such a flattering name on the Mers el-Kebir bay. However, no traces of Roman antiquity have been found in Oran. Several authors speculate about a Roman settlement in the location of Oran, although its sources are unknown. The Spanish writer Marmol mentioned: "It was called in Roman times
Middle Ages
Foundation
In the 10th century, the ancient
Cordoban-Fatimid Conflict
Between 910 and 1082, Oran becomes a focal point of conflict between the
Almoravides-Almohad Period
In 1077, the city falls under the rule of the
Hafsid/Zayyanid/Merinids
In 1230, the Hafsids from Tunis, in 1235, the Zayyanids from Tlemcen, and later in 1258, the Marinids from Fès, asserted their control. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Jews from the Western Mediterranean traded with the Jews of Oran. During the first expulsion in 1391, Spanish Jews sought refuge in the Maghreb and Oran, particularly.[22] "Within half a century," said Mr. L. Fey, "Oran changed hands nine times... Ben-Abbad managed to maintain control of the Oran government, recognizing himself as a vassal of the Hafsid kingdom of Tunis (1437). Around this time, Oran welcomed the famous Mohammed IX al-Aysar, nicknamed 'the left-handed,' the fifteenth king of Granada, who was forced to flee his rebellious subjects. In 1228, upon Ben-Abbad's death, Oran came under the rule of the Zayyanids of Tlemcen."[23] Under the protection of the emir, the city experienced great prosperity. It benefited from a customs system (tariffs), traded with Marseille, and signed a trade treaty with the Italian republics of Genoa and Venice in 1250. Oran became a bustling hub for a highly active and extensive trade, dealing in goods ranging from hides to slaves to gold. Marmo and Alvarès Gomès bear witness: "Ivory, ostrich hides, tanned cowhides, gold powder, and cereals were inexhaustible sources of wealth for the inhabitants, who excelled in the production of woolen fabrics and bladed weapons. Venetians, Pisans, Genoese, Marseillais, and Catalans eagerly purchased these products, exchanging textiles, trinkets, crude hardware, and iron in return." Oran boasted 6,000 houses, splendid mosques, and vast commercial warehouses.[24]
Spanish Period
We are at the beginning of the 16th century. In July 1501, well before the Spaniards, the Portuguese
References
- ^ "Géographie et climat d'Algérie". archive.wikiwix.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ "la vie des Touaregs". archive.wikiwix.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ISBN 978-9961-31-006-9.
- ^ Yann Le Bohec, Bilan des recherches sur le judaïsme au Maghreb dans l'Antiquité (in French).
- ISSN 0065-0536.
- ISBN 978-90-429-1344-8.
- ^ Marmol y Carvajal, Luis del (1520?-1600) Auteur du texte; Torres, Diego de (15-158 ) Auteur du texte (1667). L'Afrique de Marmol. 2 / de la traduction de Nicolas Perrot, sieur d'Ablancourt... avec l'Histoire des chérifs, traduite de l'espagnol de Diego Torrès par le duc d'Angoulème le père, revue et retouchée par P. R. A. [Pierre Richelet].
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ISBN 978-2-7475-6585-1.
- ^ "L'Antisemitisme dans la vie politique oranaise, par Mireille Attias". zlabia.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ISBN 978-2-7475-6585-1.
- . Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ Mgr Toulotte -Géographie de l'Afrique chrétienne- Montreuil sur Mer 1894.
- ^ a b c Oran la joyeuse: mémoires franco-andalouses d'une ville d'Algérie Par Alfred Salinas
- ^ https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k56091900.r=description+de+l%27afrique+septentrionale.langFR
- ^ Oran et Mers el Kébir: vestiges du passé espagnol Par Louis Abadie, page 8
- ^ https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oraninfo.com%2FFondation-de-la-ville-d-Oran#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url
- ^ a b Ibn Khaldoun, Histoire des Berbères.
- ^ Bakrī, ʿAbd Allâh ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Abū ʿUbayd al- (1040-1094) Auteur du texte (1859). Description de l'Afrique septentrionale / par El-Bekri ; traduite par Mac Guckin de Slane.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Ibn Khaldoun, Histoire des Berbères, partie Zianides, p. 1040, édition Berti, Alger 2003.
- ^ "Géographie d'el‑Idrisi • Troisième climat, première section". penelope.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ISBN 978-9961-31-006-9.
- ISBN 978-9961-31-006-9.
- ^ "Association Bel Horizon d'Oran : découvrez Oran, son patrimoine et son histoire, Santa cruz". archive.wikiwix.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ "Oran et Sa Region". archive.wikiwix.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.