Malta

  • Malta is an island in the Mediterranean which lies 58 miles (93km) south of Sicily. It is the independent Republic of Malta.
  • It was the Roman Province of Melita (from the Latin ‘Mel’ meaning Honey). In 60 CE, Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked for three months on Malta.

1. History

  • Pre-Roman history:
    • The first settlers arrived around 5,200 BCE.
    • These settlers constructed a Neolithic Temple, The Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni, a labyrinth (36 ft (11m) below ground on three levels, last extended around 3,000 BCE. Amongst other items from the Hypogeum was found ‘the sleeping lady’. The Hypogeum was used as a Temple and a Burial ground.
    • 3,500 BCE Megalithic Temple Structures were built at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, also at Ggantija on Gozo.
    • Also built around the same time was a series of grooved cart tracks in an area known as ‘Clapham Junction’ whose use and origin remain a mystery.
    • After 2,500 BCE A Bronze Age culture emerged who raised the Dolmens.
    • Around 1,000 BCE the Phoenicians established trading settlements and called Malta ‘Maleth’ (meaning Haven or Refuge)
    • Around 700 BCE Malta was colonised by the Ancient Greeks and they called the island Melite (meaning sweet Honey).
    • Because of it’s indigenous Bee, the Maltese Honey Bee, Malta was known as the Land of Honey.
    • Around 400 BCE it became a colony of Carthage.
  • Acquisition by Rome:
    • 264 BCE First Punic War. In 257 BCE the Roman Consul Caius Atilius Regulus, invaded and devastated Malta. (Source: Gnaeus Naveus, Roman Poet 264-195 BCE).
  • Timeline of this Province:
  • Under The Republic:
    • 218 BCE During the Second Punic War, The Carthaginian Commandant Hamilcar, son of Gisgo, (mindful of the events of 257 BCE) surrendered the 2,000 strong Garrison to the Roman Consul Titus Sempronius Longus, who had sailed from Sicily with 26,000 men. (Livy)
    • As a reward for it’s loyalty to Rome, Malta was granted ‘Foederata Civitas’, meaning it was semi-autonomous and exempt from paying Tribute under Roman Law. It was ruled from Sicily, as part of that Province.
  • After Augustus reconstituted the Republic into an Empire (27 BCE):
  • After Diocletian’s Reforms (297 CE):
  • After the death of Theodosius (395 CE) and the final split into Eastern Empire and Western Empire:
    • In 395 CE The Eastern Empire took control of Malta.
    • 440 CE The Vandals captured Malta.
    • 533 CE General Belisarius recaptured Malta and it remained part of the Byzantine Empire until 870 CE.
  • Famous Persons from this Province:
    • St. Paul
      • In 60 CE, St. Paul was shipwrecked for three months on Malta, whilst en-route from Crete to Rome. St Paul’s Bay is named after the location of the shipwreck and he is one of the Patron Saints of Malta.
  • Chief archeological Finds:
  • Historic Battle Sites:
    • Sea Battles took place around Malta during the Punic Wars (264-146 CE)
  • Main Historical Sources for this Province:

2. Geography

  • Capital City:
    • Melita (Citta Notabile) located today in Mdina and Rabat.
  • Chief Cities:
    • Mosta, Marsa
  • Location Today:
    • Malta, (Melita in Latin)
  • Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
  • Climate and Temperature Today:
    • Subtropical Mediterranean Climate:
      • Mild four month winters and warm or hot eight month summers,. There is no Spring or Autumn in Malta.
      • Rainfall: occurs as showers during the winter and there is no rainfall in the Summer. Water has been traditionally collected underground using Galleries in the Limestone.
      • Summer: April to November: Temperatures average 19-23°C up to 17-25°C with July and August occasionally above 32°C.
  • Main Geographical features:
    • Italia, Sicily and Malta were connected by land until 12,000 BCE.
    • Underground Labyrinths permeate the whole of Malta, where the surface and coasts consist of Limestone outcrops.
  • Main Rivers:
    • Malta has no permanent rivers.
  • Mountain Ranges:
    • Malta has no mountains. Highest point is Ta’Dmejrek, 830 ft (253m), near Dingli.
  • Islands:
    • Gozo: (includes Barbaganni Rock, Fungus Rock, Halfa Rock)
    • Commino: (includes Large Blue Lagoon Rocks, Small Blue Lagoon Rocks)
    • Cominotto, Delimara Island, Filfa, Fessaj Rock, Ghallis Rock
    • Islands of St. Paul, Manoel Island, Mistra Rocks, Qawra Point, Sala Rock, Ghagin Rock, Ta’that il-Mazz Rock.

3. Political Organisation

  • Province Type:
  • Governor:
    • Publius, who met St. Paul.
  • Tribes and Population:
    • Greek, Italian and Phoenician.
  • Language:
    • Greek, Latin and Phoenician.
      • Many Phoenician words still exist today in Maltese, linking it to Lebanon, the country formerly known as Phoenicia.

4. Military Organisation

  • Legions: None
  • Navy:
    • Marsa Roman Port
    • This was located at the end of Grand Harbour, Valletta, but its history is unknown.
  • Defensive Works:
    • The Punic-Roman Towers.
      • At least eight circular towers were built in the Punic era and maintained until the third century CE.
      • They are located inland, all over the island on high ground and are intervisible with one another.
      • The bases of six towers are intact.
      • Historical opinion is divided, but they may have been used for signalling and acted as a early warning system for the Island. However, no towers have been found on nearby Gozo.
  • Main Threats:
    • None until the Heruli attacks of the third century CE.

5. Economy

  • Agriculture and Fishing:
  • Manufacturing:
  • Mines:
  • Mints:

6. Transport

  • Roads:
  • Waterways: None
  • Ports:
    • Marsa Roman Port, at the end of Grand Harbour, Valletta.
    • Valletta has a very large natural double harbour, the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour.
  • Ancient Trade Routes:
    • Malta is at the crossroads of the main Mediterranean shipping lanes.
  • Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

7. Relationship with Rome

  • Malta was a loyal and peaceful Province, a relationship which continued with the Byzantine Empire.

8. History of Christianity in this Province

  • Patron Saints of Malta are: Paul the Apostle, St. Publius, St. Agatha and St. George.
  • In 60 CE, Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked for three months on Malta, whilst en-route from Crete to Rome. St Paul’s Bay is named after the location of the shipwreck.
  • St. Publius was Malta’s first Bishop.
  • St. Paul’s Catacombs and St, Agatha’s Catacombs in Rabat, and a Grotto in Rabat, show the presence of an early Christian Community.
  • Malta is an Apostolic See today (An Episcopal See attributed to one of the Disciples of Jesus).

9. Roman Authors describing this Province

 

Malta

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264 BCE
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