Algeria / Annaba / History

Annaba was first settled by Phoenicians as Hippo Regius and allied with Carthage. Hippo Regius was a haven for the Numidian kings until it became a Roman colony in 46BC after Numidia was annexed by Caesar. Under Roman rule Hippo Regius flourished commercially. It was also a centre for Christianity until it was sacked by Vandals during the 5th century. The Byzantines captured the city and rebuilt it during the 6th century. Following the Arab invasion of the 7th century, the city of Annaba was built some 2km from Hippo Regius, which was pillaged and neglected.

The French were repelled by Annaba's citizens for two years, but the city finally fell in 1832. As an operations base for allied forces during World War II Annaba was heavily bombarded by the German air force during the winter of 1942-3.