The Maltese Islands had become a thriving part of the Roman Empire by 117, being promoted to the status of municipium under Hadrian.

When the Roman Empire split into Eastern and Western divisions in the fourth century, Malta had fallen under the control of the Greek-speaking Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire from 395,which rules from Constantinople.

Although Malta will be under Byzantine rule for four centuries, not much is known from this period.

There is evidence that Germanic tribes, including the Goths and, in 354, the Vandals, briefly took control of the islands before the Empire launched a counterattack and retook Malta.