THE TREATY OF 723 AH / 1323 AD BETWEEN THE HAFSID DYNASTY, BEJAIA, AND ARAGON

Abstract

This study examines the treaty that was signed between the King of Tunisia, Abu Bakr ibn Abu Zakaria ibn Abu Ishaq, his son, the King of Bejaia, Abu Zakaria, and the King of Aragon,James II in 723 AH / 1323 AD and shows the reasons why this treaty wassigned. The significance of the study lies in analyzing and categorizing the clauses of the treaty into several topics including boundaries and security and consular, commercial, financial, and judicial affairs, and linking them to the political and commercial conditions in that period. The relations between Aragon, Tunisia, and Bejaia were based on the two main axes of trade and diplomacy, and trade relations were at the forefront of interests between the two countries. The consular representation of the Kingdom of Aragon was in the cities of Tunis and Bejaia with their ports and markets, where the consul resided in a hoteland had wide powers.