Turkish Rule

By the late 15th century the Tunisian coast was being attacked by both Spaniards and Turks. Ultimately the Turks gained control, and in 1574 Tunisia became one of the Barbary States, governed by corsairs who were nominally subject to the sultan of the Ottoman Empire. ( The Husainids, a local dynasty of beys (regents), came to power in Tunisia in 1705 and gradually acquired the status of monarchs.