Ifriqiya: Art and Architecture of Tunisi

Modern-day Tunisia somewhat corresponds to the medieval Islamic province of Ifriqiya, and presents an interesting case for study. Located in the heart of the medieval Mediterranean, Ifriqiya is at the center of all terrae—Europe, Asia, and Africa—and therefore played a major role in the connectivity between them. Specifically, Ifriqiya was one of the major nodal points on the North-South axis between Europe and Africa; a group of small islands located between Tunisia and Italy provide the best naval connection between the two continents. Beyond the sea it was also a terrestrial hub for Sub-Saharan caravan routes. From ancient Carthage to medieval Tunis (and later Mahdia), it is no surprise that Tunisian ports attracted empires, and were thus exposed to looting, conquests, and occupations. Yet, the modern history about this region suffers from the usual West-East binary, separating Classical-Hellenistic and Roman history from Islamic, let alone Berber, eras rather than uniting the many narratives.

In this seminar, the different monuments, sites and museums of Tunisia, including Tunis, Carthage, El-Jem, Mahdia, Monastir, Sousse, Qayrawan and Reqada will be discussed. Ten selected graduate students will learn about Tunisia in its Mediterranean network, from the medieval up to the modern period, discussing questions around history, trade and visual culture from particular moments of artistic interactions with Abbasid Baghdad and Samarra, Al-Andalus, Norman Sicily, southern Italy, the Habsburgs and the Ottomans. The group will travel to Tunisia from Friday, March 10 through Sunday, March 19, to give onsite presentations and participate in discussions with Tunisian scholars.