Editing Gabès (section)

==History==
===Etymology===
Takapes, the ancient name of Gabès, is a [[Punic]] [[Numidian language|Numidian]] ([[Berber languages|Berber]]) toponym. Later, the prefix "Ta" (meaning "the" in Punic) was dropped, and the place became known as Kapes. As in [[Arabic]] the sound /p/ is unknown, Kapes became known as Kabes, and later known as Gabès.

=== Roman period ===
Gabès is the ancient ''Tacapae''<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=YnYjGTh88ZQC&pg=PA123 D. L. Bomgardner, ''Story of the Roman Amphitheatre''] (Routledge 2013 {{ISBN|978-1-13470739-3}}), p. 123</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=rH26vL2CWbkC&pg=PA15 Paul Lachlan MacKendrick, ''The North African Stones Speak''] (UNC Press 2000 {{ISBN|978-0-80784942-2}}), p. 15</ref> or ''Tacape'' (Τακάπη in [[Ancient greek]]) or ''Tacapes''<ref>[http://www.trismegistos.org/place/17132 Trismegistos, "Tacapae"]</ref> of the [[Roman province]] of [[Tripolitania]].

[[Strabo]] refers to this city as an important entrepot of the [[Lesser Syrtis]]. [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] (18.22) remarks that the waters of a copious fountain at Tacape were divided among the cultivators according to a system where each had the use of the water during a certain interval of time.

The {{Lang|la|[[Tabula Peutingeriana]]}} shows Tacape between [[Macomades]] and [[Sabratha]].

=== Bishopric ===
Tacapae became a Christian [[bishopric]] that, no longer being a residential see, is included in the [[Catholic Church]]'s list of [[Titular see|titular sees]].<ref>''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), p. 980</ref>

Three of its bishops are known:<ref>Stefano Antonio Morcelli, [[iarchive:bub_gb_dO4-AAAAcAAJ/page/n318|<!-- pg=295 --> ''Africa christiana'']], Volume I, Brescia 1816, p.&nbsp;295</ref>

* Dulcitius, [[Papal legate|legate]] of the bishops of Tripolitana to the [[Council of Carthage (403)]] and present at the [[Conference of Carthage (411)]];
* Servilius, exiled by [[Huneric]] in 484;
* Caius or Gallus, legate of the bishops of his province to the [[Council of Carthage (525)]].

=== Islamic Caliphate and the Middle Ages ===
In the 7th century, the [[Umayyad Caliphate]] conquered the region, bringing [[Islam]] to Gabès. One of Prophet [[Companions of the Prophet|Muhammad's companions]], [[Abu Lubaba ibn Abd al-Mundhir|Abu Lubaba Al'Ansari]], settled in the city, contributing to its development as an Islamic center. The following centuries saw a succession of different rulers and dynasties. In 1148, the [[Zirid dynasty|Zirids]] sacked Gabès, causing devastation to the city. During the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] period, in 1574, Gabès became part of the [[Ottoman Tunisia|Eyalet of Tunis]], further cementing its role as a strategic trading hub in the Mediterranean region.

Gabès has been described by notable historians and travelers throughout history. In the 12th century, [[Muhammad al-Idrisi|al-Idrisi]] praised its thriving economy, dense orchards, and bustling markets. He highlighted the city's production of dates, olives, and leather goods, as well as its strong fortifications.<ref>[https://ar.wikisource.org/wiki/نزهة_المشتاق_في_اختراق_الآفاق/الإقليم_الثالث/الجزء_الثاني نزهة المشتاق في اختراق الآفاق - الإقليم الثالث، الجزء الثاني] [[Muhammad al-Idrisi]]</ref> In the 14th century, al-Tijani depicted Gabès as a city of beauty and abundance, calling it the "paradise of the world" and "Little [[Damascus]]" due to its lush greenery and architectural charm. However, he also noted the city's health challenges, attributing frequent epidemics to the [[Nerium|oleander]] trees that affected the water supply.<ref>رحلة التجاني، ص 86-89، أبو محمد عبد الله بن محمد بن أحمد التجاني، الدار العربية للكتاب: ليبيا-تونس 1981</ref> In 1862, [[Victor Guérin]] described Gabès not as a singular city but as a collection of towns and villages forming a vast oasis, supported by the waters of the [[Wadi]] of Gabès.<ref>Victor Guérin, Voyage archéologique dans la régence de Tunis, éd. Plon, Paris, 1862, p. 190.</ref>

=== French rule and the 20th century ===
[[File:Plan_Gabes_1928.jpg|right|thumb|1928 map of Gabès under the French.]]
In the late 19th century, Tunisia came under French control, and in 1881, Gabès became part of the [[French protectorate of Tunisia|French protectorate]]. This period saw the introduction of modern infrastructure but also economic hardships for the local population. The 20th century brought further turmoil. After the fall of France in 1940, Gabès came under German control during World War II. Later years brought more instability. In 1941, Gabès was the scene of [[1941 anti-Jewish riots in Gabès|riots against Jewish communities]].

In 1943, British forces assisted in retaking Gabès from German control as part of the [[Mareth Line|Mareth Line operations]], but this led to severe damage to the city's infrastructure. Reconstruction efforts began in 1945 to restore the city's economic and social life.

Gabès played a role in Tunisia's struggle for [[Tunisian independence|independence]] from France, and after gaining sovereignty in 1956, the city continued to develop while preserving its historical and cultural heritage. Today, Gabès is known for its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, with its famous oasis being one of the last coastal oases in the world. Its historical significance remains evident in the archaeological remains and the continued traditions that link it to its rich past.[[File:Plan Gabes 1928.jpg|thumb|right|1928 map of Gabè]]
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