Before the Idrisids
Amazigh (Berber) peoples have lived in North Africa since ancient times. Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans established ports and cities such as Lixus, Volubilis and Chellah.
Timeline
788 to 974
The Idrisids
Idris I founded the first Moroccan Islamic state in 788; his son Idris II made Fes the capital around 808.
1040 to 1147
The Almoravids
A Saharan Amazigh dynasty united Morocco and Andalusia and founded Marrakech in the 11th century.
1121 to 1269
The Almohads
A reformist dynasty that built monuments such as the Koutoubia in Marrakech and the Hassan Tower in Rabat.
1244 to 1465
The Marinids
Patrons of learning and architecture, the Marinids built Fes el-Jdid and many madrasas.
1549 to 1659
The Saadians
The dynasty that won the Battle of the Three Kings in 1578 and built Marrakech's Saadian Tombs.
1666 to today
The Alaouites
The current ruling dynasty. Moulay Ismail made Meknes the capital and consolidated the state.
1912 to 1956
The protectorate
France and Spain established protectorates in 1912. Morocco regained independence in 1956.
1961 to 1999
Reign of Hassan II
A period of nation-building, the Green March in 1975 and political reform.
1999 to today
Reign of Mohammed VI
A new constitution was adopted in 2011, infrastructure investment accelerated, and Morocco will co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2030 with Spain and Portugal.