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Revision as of 02:32, 31 October 2006
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The first inhabitants of Malta probably reached the island from Sicily, but the earliest recorded settlers were the Neolithic inhabitants of 5000 BC. History shows us that the Phoenicians colonized Malta in about 800 BC. They occupied the islands until their successors, the Carthaginians were ousted by the Romans in 216 BC.
Like most Mediterranean countries, the Maltese islands were once under Arab domination, for 200 years, somewhat of a short period of time compared to the 300 years of occupation in Sicily and parts of Italy. The longest occupation was of 800 years in Spain.
From the advent of the Normans from 1090 to 1530, Malta was part of the Kingdom of Sicily; thus from 1091 to 1530 when the Order of St. John came to Malta, the original Italic, Phoenician and Byzantine population from the Roman period was further reinforced by other European elements - a period of 440 years.
It also bears stating that the island of Malta under Moslem rule had a very tiny population; the population of the island grew under the Norman rule which started in 1090AD; this was followed by a steady migration of people from Sicily and the European mainland over the ensuing centuries.
In culture and tradition the Maltese are European and Christian; thus for example Heraldry is deeply rooted in the Maltese islands. The Maltese can also boast of an old and illustrious nobility deeply rooted in the traditions of European chivalry.
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