Barbary: Difference between revisions

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'''Barbary''' is a [[Europe]]an term used for the area of northwest [[Africa]] called Maghreb (meaning "West") by the locals. In modern terms, it stretches from Libya to Morocco but has never been a political entity. The name relates to the [[Greek]] word "barbaros" (strange, foreign) as the local North Africans were Berbers who were "barbarians" to Europeans as they had a strange sounding [[language]].
'''Barbary''' is a [[Europe]]an term used for the area of northwest [[Africa]] called ''Maghreb'' (meaning "West") by the locals. In modern terms, it stretches from Libya to Morocco but has never been a political entity. The name relates to the [[Greek]] word ''"barbaros"'' (strange, foreign) as the local North Africans were Berbers who were "[[barbarian]]s" to [[Europe]]ans as they had a strange sounding [[language]].


[[Pirate]]s or corsairs working for the [[Ottoman Empire]] were based on the Barbary coast. They would raid Mediterranean shipping and islands for the Ottoman [[sultan]]s and transport their troops.
[[Pirate]]s or corsairs working for the [[Ottoman Empire]] were based on the Barbary coast. They would raid Mediterranean shipping and islands for the Ottoman [[sultan]]s and transport their troops.


The spread of the [[Arab]]s across the top of Africa in the [[7th century]] quickly led to their invasion of [[Spain]] from Morocco.
The spread of the [[Arab]]s across the top of Africa in the [[7th century]] quickly led to their [[Moorish Invasion|invasion]] of [[Spain]] from Morocco.

Revision as of 11:45, 24 October 2005

Barbary is a European term used for the area of northwest Africa called Maghreb (meaning "West") by the locals. In modern terms, it stretches from Libya to Morocco but has never been a political entity. The name relates to the Greek word "barbaros" (strange, foreign) as the local North Africans were Berbers who were "barbarians" to Europeans as they had a strange sounding language.

Pirates or corsairs working for the Ottoman Empire were based on the Barbary coast. They would raid Mediterranean shipping and islands for the Ottoman sultans and transport their troops.

The spread of the Arabs across the top of Africa in the 7th century quickly led to their invasion of Spain from Morocco.