Timeline of Morocco
Below is a chronology of major events in Morocco's history, including a timeline of the great mosques and other monuments you might see on a visit to Morocco. Note: Morocco was not founded as an independent country until 1956, but the word "Morocco" is used throughout the timeline to indicate the area covered by the modern country.
| 10,000- 5,000 BC |
Capsian and Mouilian Man spread across the Maghreb. Rock carvings in Oukaimeden, Foum el Hassan and elsewhere date from this period. |
| 1100 BC | Phoenician settlements in Morocco during the Bronze Age. First trading port is in Lixus near Larache. |
| 500 BC | Carthaginians take over and expand the Moroccan Phoenician settlements. Remains of this period can be seen in Lixus and in the Rabat Archaeological Museum. |
| 146 BC | Carthage falls to Rome in the Third Punic War. Roman influence spreads into the Berber kingdoms of Mauretania-Numidia. |
| 27 BC | Morocco comes under direct Roman rule during the reign of Emperor Caligula. Volubilis developed as a provincial capital; extensive ruins can still be seen there. Lixus and Tangier were also minor sites. Roman mosaics can be seen in the Tetouan and Rabat museums. |
| 253 AD | Roman legions withdraw from Morocco. |
| 429 | Vandals pass through Morocco. |
| 535 | Byzantines occupy Ceuta on the north coast. |
| 622 | Islam founded by Muhammad in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and quickly spreads throughout the Middle East. |
| c.705 | Islam comes to Morocco when Arab rule is established in the north under Moussa Ibn Nasr. |
| 711 | Moussa Ibn Nasr leads the Berber invasion of Spain. |
| 788-923 | Idrissid Dynasty |
| 788 | Moulay Idriss founds the first Moroccan Arab dynasty, along with the cities of Moulay Idriss and Fes. |
| 807-36 | Rule of Moulay Idriss II. Fes further developed; refugees from Kairouan and Andalusia settle there; Kairaouine Mosque built. |
| 10-11C | Hilali tribes destroy Maghrebi infrastructure |
| 1062-1145 | Almoravid Dynasty |
| 1062 | Youssef bin Tachfine founds the first great Berber dynasty and establishes his capital in Marrakesh. The fine Almoravid Koubba in Marrakesh is the only monument surviving from this period. |
| 1090 | Almoravids invade Spain. |
| 1120s | Ibn Toumert sets up a ribat in Tin Mal in the High Atlas. The ruined mosque of Tin Mal can be visited (non-Muslims may enter). |
| 1147-1248 | Almohad Dynasty |
| 1145-47 | Abd el Moumen captures Fes, then Marrakesh. Extensive building of walls, gates and minarets in this period, notably the minaret of Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh. |
| 1195 | Yacoub el Mansour (1184-99) extends Almohad rule to Spain and east to Tripoli. La Giralda in Seville constructed and new capital established at Rabat, where the Hassan Tower and Oudaia Gate are lasting monuments. |
| 1212 | Almohads defeated in Spain at Las Navas de Tolosa. |
| 1248-1465 | Merenid Dynasty |
| 1250s | Abou Youssef Yacoub (1258-86) establishes power in Morocco. Monuments from this period include: Zaouia and mausoleum in Rabat; new city (El Djedid) in Fes; medersas built in Fes, Meknes and Salé. |
| 1330-60 | Abou el Hassan (1331-51) and Abou Inan (1351-58) are two of the most successful Merenid rulers; they extend rule briefly to Tunisia. |
| 1415 | Portuguese begin attacking Moroccan coast, taking Ceuta and then other cities. Portuguese-era remains in Morocco include a cistern in El Jadida and walls and remains in Azzemour, Asilah and Safi. |
| 1465-1554 | Wattasid Dynasty |
| 1465 | Merenid viziers known as the Wattasids usurp power. Chefchaouen is built and Tetouan refounded by refugees. |
| 1465 | Fall of Granada, the last Muslim kingdom in Spain. Jewish and Muslim refugees settle in Morocco. |
| 15-16C | The Marabouts establish zaouias, controlling parts of the country. |
| 1554-1669 | Saadian Dynasty |
| 1554 | Mohammed esh Sheikh (d.1557) founds the Saadian dynasty in Marrakesh. |
| 1579 | Accession of Ahmed el Mansour (1578-1603) after the Battle of Three Kings. Mansour goes on to conquer Timbuktu and the gold and slave routes to the south. In this period, the Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Medersa and El Badi Palace are built in Marrakesh and pavilion extensions are added to Kairaouine Mosque in Fes. |
| 1627 | The pirate Republic of Bou Regreg set up by Andalusian refugees. Rabat Medina built. |
| 1669-present | Alaouite Dynasty |
| 1672-1727 | Rule of Moulay Ismail, who imposes the Alaouite Dynasty in Morocco. New imperial capital established in Meknes, with monuments including Ismail's mausoleum. Kasbahs and forts built; palaces constructed in Tangier and Rabat. Tomb of Moulay Idriss rebuilt. |
| 18-19C | Rule of Sidi Mohammed (1757-90) and Moulay Suleiman (1792-1822). Grand mosques rebuilt, especially in Marrakesh. Many pavilions and gardens in Marrakesh date from early 18C. Extensive palace building, such as El Badi in Marrakesh and Palais Jamai in Fes. |
| 1860 | Dispute over Spain's Ceuta enclave. Spain declares war, wins a further enclave and an enlarged Ceuta. |
| 1894 | Death of Moulay Hassan, the last effective sultan of "Old Morocco." |
| 1912 | Treaty of Fes establishes the French and Spanish Protectorates (1912-56). European Villes Nouvelles (new towns) are built outside the old medinas. Mauresque architecture developed for administrative buildings. |
| 1912 | T'hami el Glaoui becomes pasha of Marrakesh and is used by the French to conquer southern tribes. Glaoui palaces built in Telouet and Marrakesh; kasbahs built throughout southern Morocco. |
| 1921 | Tribal rebellion in Rif mountains under Abd El Krim is suppressed by French and Spanish troops. |
| 1943 | Nationalist Istiqlal party formed in Fes. |
| 1956 | Morocco gains independence. |
| 1961 | Accession of King Hassan II (1961-99) |
| 1975 | Green March into Western Sahara. New royal palaces built in all major cities. |
| 1997 | Democratic elections in Morocco. Hassan II Mosque completed in Casablanca. |
| 1999 | Accession of King Mohammed VI. |
| 2003 | Over 40 killed when suicide bombers attack several sites in Casablanca, including a Spanish restaurant and Jewish community center. Moroccans react with public marches against anti-Semitism and hatred. |
| Feb. 2004 | Powerful earthquake hits northern Morocco, killing more than 500. |
| July 2004 | Free trade agreement with the US comes into effect. |
| April 2007 | Three suicide bombers blow themselves up in Casablanca, a few weeks after a suicide blast in an internet cafe. |
Article Sources
- The Rough Guide to Morocco, 7th ed. (October 2004).
- Timeline: Morocco - BBC News
