After Agathocles, the Carthaginians once again enjoyed ruling of the city. Tunis was razed by the Roman Empire I 146 BC then later rebuilt during the reign of Augustus. Tunis’ rise to a status of importance did not occur until the 7th century following Carthage’s destruction. The Arabs raised the city’s profile with the construction of the medina.
Arab rule continued under the Almohad and the Hafsid Berber dynasties in the period from the 12th to the 16th centuries, during which time the city prospered and became one of Islam’s greatest municipalities. Tunis fell to Ottoman control in 1534 but was later recaptured by King Charles of Spain who returned it to Mulai Hassan, the Hafsid Sultan responsible for its ruling prior to the Ottoman invasion.
