Djerba, according to legend, was the island…
April 1135 CE
Djerba, according to legend, was the island of the Lotus-Eaters on which Odysseus was stranded on his voyage through the Mediterranean.
Called Meninx until the third century CE, the island includes three principal towns.
One of these, whose modern name is Būrgū, is found near Midoun in the center of the island.
Another city, on the southeast coast of the island at Meninx, was a major producer of murex dye, and is cited by Pliny the Elder as second only to Tyre in this regard.
A third important town was the ancient Haribus.
The island is densely inhabited in the Roman and Byzantine periods, and probably imports much of the grain consumed by its inhabitants.
During the Middle Ages, Djerba is occupied by members of the Kharejite (Ibadite) sect, who claim it as their own.
The Christians of Sicily and Aragon dispute this claim with the Ibadites.
Remains from this period include numerous small mosques dating from as early as the twelfth century, as well as two substantial forts.
Roger II of Sicily conquers and occupies the island from 1135.
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