1510-1650 CE
From 1510 to 1650 CE, the Berbers defended Africa's corner against all comers — Portuguese crusaders seizing coastal fortresses, Ottoman corsairs claiming Algiers and Tunis, yet Morocco's Saadian sultans smashing a Portuguese king at Alcácer Quibir and even conquering Songhai's gold. Ahmad al-Mansur built El Badi Palace with ransomed wealth, but dynasty followed dynasty, and the Alaouites were already gathering strength for their turn.