Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms

Volume 31: The Small Western Ocean

Northern Africa, Map 3

To the south, the country is bordered by the desert; to the west, it is bordered by Algeria original: 阿爾尼 (A'erni); and to the north, it is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. The terrain is flat and well-suited for the sowing of crops.

Furthermore, along the northern corners of the coast, there are over a hundred small islands. Compared to Algeria original: 阿爾尼阿 (A'ernia), its territory is somewhat smaller. Its ancient capital was located at Carthage original: 加尼達 (Jianida), which sits near the southern shores of the European continent. In former times, mutual trade flourished there to such an extent that it was not inferior to that of Italy.

Later, the Arabs original: 阿丹 (Adan) seized the kingdom and stationed troops in the two departments of Kairouan original: 加爾灣 (Jia'erwan) and Tunis. They compelled the population to convert to Islam original: 回敎 (Huijiao). Consequently, the old customs were entirely lost, and the people fell into a state of wild ignorance original: 榛狉 (zhenpi), a term describing a primitive or uncultivated society.

By the year 1600 the 28th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, the region was again occupied by the Turks original: 都魯機 (Duluji). They established a Bey a title for a governor or ruler within the Ottoman Empire original: 彌官 (Miguan) to manage political affairs. However, the soldiers acted with impunity, the officials were held under duress by the military, and the common people suffered immense misery and oppression.

In recent times, the local chieftain finally turned against the Turks and declared independence. He moved the capital to Tunis, completely abolished the tyrannical policies of the previous administration, and sought a new beginning with the people of the nation. Because the local inhabitants were considered stubborn and unrefined, he extensively recruited those with talent and wisdom. Any Europeans original: 歐羅巴人 (Ouluoba ren) who possessed even a modest degree of skill or knowledge were given employment, regardless of how humble their origins might be. He established formal regulations to adjudicate right from wrong and to enforce social discipline.