The Arab Conquests and the End of Ancient Africa?

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief overview of the historical background of Africa under the caliphate before turning to tackle five key areas of debate: urban collapse and continuity, the transformation of the classical city, the countryside, the economy, and religious change. It draws on scholarship from classical and medieval scholars and integrates the archaeological and textual evidence for this pivotal period. The Umayyads and the Abbasids never managed to establish firm control over North Africa and the eighth century was characterized by repeated rebellions and revolts of both the local Berber populations and rival factions in the Muslim armies. The Arab conquest brought significant administrative changes with implications for the organization of the urban hierarchy. The Arab conquests famously in the Pirenne thesis brought about an economic collapse. The question of the religious impact of the Arab conquest on North Africa and in particular the demise of Christianity is a charged one.