This is a timeline of Maltese history, comprising important legal and territorial changes and political events in Malta and its predecessor states. To read about the background to these events, see History of Malta. See also the list of monarchs of Malta and list of governors of Malta (until its independence in 1964) and list of heads of state of Malta. See also History of banking in Malta. +Outline of Maltese HistoryPrehistory Human history in Malta prior to the invention of writing.
Millennia: 3rd–4th6thPunic Period Iron Age during which the Phoenicians and Carthaginians influenced the Western Mediterranean.
Centuries: 10th BC9th BC8th BC7th BC6th BC4th-5th BC Roman Era The Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage established Rome as a dominant power in the Mediterranean, until its collapse in 476 AD.
Centuries: 3rd BC2nd BC1st BC1st AD2nd AD3rd AD4th ADMedieval Era
The Middle Ages or mediaeval period followed the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery.
Centuries: 5th6th - 8th9th10th11th12th13th14th15thKnights of Malta era
The Renaissance and the Age of Discovery in Malta is characterised by the arrival of Hospitaller Knights in 1530 till the French occupation in 1798.
Centuries: 16th17th18th British Empire Era During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Malta was part of the British Empire until its independence in 1964.
Centuries:19th20thIndependent Malta Malta gained its independence on 21st September 1964.
Centuries: 20th21st
Prehistory This period refers to human history in Malta prior to the invention of writing.
6th millennium BC Year Event 5900 BC DNA analysis has revealed that the first inhabitants originated from various European and African regions of the Mediterranean around 5900 BC. Most of the conifer forest that dominates the islands is cleared for mixed farming with fire and grazing and replaced by herbaceous vegetation, including Plantago lanceolata, Rumex, Asphodelus and Thelygonum.
3rd - 4th millennium BC Year Event 3850 BC to 2350 BC In 3850 BC, a second colonisation arrived from Sicily and remained on the island for 1,500 years. More intensive agriculture, with a higher focus on cereals. Construction of the megalithic temples of Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, Ta' Ħaġrat, Skorba, Tarxien and Tas-Silg and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum.
Punic Period This period refers to the period when Phoenicians and Carthaginians influenced the Western Mediterranean during the Iron Age.
10th century BC Year Event 1000 BC The colonisation of the Maltese Islands by the Phoenicians begins. Earliest evidence of commerce and increased contacts with surrounding Mediterranean cultures. The Phoenicians were present on Malta, which they called Ann, before the end of the 2nd millennium BC.
8th century BC Year Event 720 BC A Phoenician colony, Maleth, is founded in present-day Cospicua in the Grand Harbour Malta.Vella, John (January 2023), "Greek Words in Maltese Harbour Toponymy", Athens Journal of Mediterranean Studies, vol. 9, pp. 25–52 https://www.athensjournals.gr/mediterranean/2023-9-1-2-Vella.pdf
7th century BC Year Event 700 BC A Punic temple, dedicated to the mother goddess Astarte, is built over the remains of the Tas-Silġ megalithic temples. (to 200 BC)
6th century BC Year Event 539 BC Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire, conquers Phoenicia.
4th - 5th century BC Year Event 480 BC The islands come under the control of Carthage, a former Phoenician colony, and rapidly develop into a Carthaginian naval base, also shown by numerous Carthaginian coins found in Malta. A number of Greek coins from Athens and Corinth indicate a peaceful coexistence with Greeks in Malta and trade with Greek settlements in Eastern Sicily.
Roman Era The Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage established Rome as a dominant power in the Mediterranean, until its collapse in 476 AD.
3rd century BC The First Punic War lasted between 264 BC to 241 BC, while the Second Punic War was between 221 BC and 202 BC. During the First Punic War, Malta was raided by the Romans but remained under Carthaginian control. Year Event 218 BC Invasion of Malta by Titus Sempronius Longus, the Roman historian Livy records that the local garrison surrendered without a fight. Malta is incorporated into the Roman Republic, within the province of Sicily. Beginnings of the Maltese textile industry.
2nd century BC Year Event 200 BC to 100 BC A Roman temple, dedicated to the goddess Hera, is built over the remains of the Tas-Silġ megalithic temples. The Cippi of Melqart, a pair of Phoenician marble cippi, are dedicated to the god Melqart by inscriptions in Ancient Greek and Phoenician, probably at the Temple of Hercules at Marsaxlokk. Their subsequent discovery in the late 17th century was key to the modern understanding of the Phoenician language. The Cippi and numerous coins evidence a strong Punic and Greek culture present on the islands.
Commencement of a rapid rise in the Mediterranean sea level from around 2.5 meters below current levels to present levels, over the subsequent four hundred years. 150 BC to 146 BC Third Punic War.
1st century BC
1st century Year Event 41 The Maltese are granted municipal privileges by Rome. 60 Saint Paul shipwrecked on the island. 60 Saint Publius Prince of Malta. First Bishop of Malta.
2nd century Year Event 117 to 138 Malta becomes a municipium during the reign of Hadrian.
3rd century
4th century Year Event 395 Western Roman rule over Malta, following the final division of the Roman Empire. (to 454) 400 A Western Roman church is built over the remains of the Tas-Silġ megalithic temples. (to 600)
Medieval Era The Middle Ages or mediaeval period followed the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery.
5th century Year Event 454 Malta is occupied by the Vandals. 464 Malta is occupied by the Goths.
6th - 8th century Year Event 533 Belisarius restores the Maltese Islands to the Byzantine Empire for the next three hundred years.
9th century Year Event 870 Malta is conquered by Aghlabid Arabs. The fortified Roman settlement of Melita, on the highlands in the centre of Malta, is reduced in size, further fortified, and renamed Medina, precursor to the Medieval city of Mdina. The Arabs construct a fort on the site of present-day Fort St Angelo. Improved agriculture and irrigation systems are introduced, including the 'noria' or waterwheel; cotton and citrus fruits are introduced to Malta.
10th century Year Event 909 Fatimids conquered Malta.
11th century Year Event 1053–54 The Byzantine Empire unsuccessfully attempts to recapture the islands. 1091 The Norman Count Roger I of Sicily invades Malta and the Muslim inhabitants negotiate a peaceful surrender. Gozo is sacked by the Normans.
12th century Year Event 1122 Arab uprising against the Normans in Malta. 1127 Norman control over Malta is consolidated under Roger II of Sicily. A Norman governor is installed, and Norman soldiers are garrisoned in Malta's three main castles. Christianity re-established as the Islands' dominant religion. 1144 Second attempt by the Byzantine Empire to recapture the Islands. 1154 The Catholic Church in Malta is incorporated into the See of Palermo. 1192 Margaritus of Brindisi was created first Count of Malta, perhaps for his unexpected success in capturing Empress Constance contender to the Sicilian throne. (to 1194, forfeited by House of Hohenstaufen) 1194 Malta and Sicily are ruled by the Swabians (House of Hohenstaufen). (to 1266)
13th century Year Event 1223 The exile to Malta of the entire male population of the town of Celano (Italy).capelli 2005 1224 Expulsion of all Muslims from Malta and Sicily.Debattista, Martin; Timeline of Malta History; retrieved on [14 May 2008] 1240 Stationing of a Norman and Sicilian (Swabian) Garrison on Malta in 1240 1266 Malta and Sicily are ruled by the Angevins. (to 1283) 1283 Malta and Sicily are ruled by the Crown of Aragon. (to 1530)
14th century Year Event 1350 Grant in fief of lands 'Diar el Bniet' by Louis of Sicily (House of Aragon) to Francesco Gatto on 4 January 1350, by a privilegium given at Messina, the fief having reverted to the Crown after it had been held by Michele Bava. First Incorporation of the Maltese Islands into the Royal Domain (Kingdom of Sicily). (to 1357) 1356 Giacomo Pelegrino is noted as 'Capitano della Verga' ('Hakem'). 1397 Second Incorporation of the Maltese Islands into the Royal Domain (Kingdom of Sicily). (to 1420) Establishment of the Università, a form of local government, in Malta.
15th century Year Date Event 1419 The Militia List is drawn up, giving information about the population of Malta in the Middle Ages. 1420 The 'Consiglio Popolare' is mentioned when King Alphonsus of Aragon mortgaged the islands to Antonio Cardona. 1425 Uprising by the Maltese against Don Gonsalvo Monroy during his absence from the island, Count of Malta. His wife Donna Costanza is held hostage in the Castellamare (Fort St Angelo) Monroy appears before the Court of Sicily demanding that the strongest possible measures be taken against the insurgents. The Maltese insurgents repel an attempt by the Viceroy of Sicily to bring the island to order Maltese representatives appear before the same Court, offering to "redeem" the Islands by repaying the 30,000 florins originally paid by Monroy for his fiefdom over Malta, and asking King Alfonso to incorporate the Islands into his Royal Domains Monroy agrees to the terms but demands hostages to be held for as long as his wife is held in Malta. The impasse is resolved when Antonio Inguanez offers his two sons as hostages Negotiations drag on for several months during which only 10,000 florins are collected and the negotiated time elapses. However Monroy dies retaining for his heirs only a third of the sum collected and ordering that another third be returned to the Maltese. The last third he left to the King to be spent on strengthening the fortifications of Malta. Impressed by the loyalty of his Maltese subjects, the King declares Malta to be the most notable gem in his Crown. The old capital city of Mdina acquires the name Città Notabile, as a result. The Maltese do not submit to Aragonese rule until the Magna Charta Libertatis granting them their new rights is delivered to them 1427 3 January King Alfonso incorporates Malta to the Crown of Aragon (Kingdom of Sicily), and promises never to grant Malta as a fief to any third party. 1429 The Hafsid Berbers attempt to capture Malta.Henry Frendo, "History and Citizenship: Sinews of Europeanity in the Maltese Experience", at 8. Last visited 6 August 2007. 1436 In the 'Rollo' (inventory) of the benefices of the churches and chapels in Malta and Gozo, held by Bishop de Mello, ten established chapels are mentioned: The Cathedral of Mdina and the Church of San Lorenzo a Mare (Birgu), the 'Nativity of the Virgin' (Naxxar), 'Saint Helen' (Birkirkara), 'Saint George' (Qormi), 'Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Bir Miftuh/Gudja ), Saint Philip of Aggira (Zebbug), 'Saint Nicholas of Bari' (Siggiewi), 'Saint Catherine of Alexandria' (Zejtun and Zurrieq), Saint Domenica' (Dingli), and 'the Nativity of the Virgin' (Mellieha).
Knights of Malta era The Renaissance and the Age of Discovery in Malta is characterised by the arrival of Hospitaller Knights in 1530 till the French occupation in 1798.
16th century