Read on Twitter
Hello friends! #WyrdWednesday today celebrates the Romans. No matter what you think about them *cough* colonizers *cough*, there is no doubt that Roman culture and customs deeply influences the world we live in today.
#WyrdWednesday
As pertains particularly to Africa, did you know there are many theories about the origin of the name “Africa”? One of them is that it derives from “Afri” a Latin (Roman language) word used to refer to inhabitants of the continent, west of the Nile river.
As pertains particularly to Africa, did you know there are many theories about the origin of the name “Africa”? One of them is that it derives from “Afri” a Latin (Roman language) word used to refer to inhabitants of the continent, west of the Nile river.
#WyrdWednesday
Africa Proconsularis was a Roman province which covered the territory of present-day Tunisia, the northeast of Algeria, and the coast of western Libya. It was one of the wealthiest parts of the Roman Empire.
Africa Proconsularis was a Roman province which covered the territory of present-day Tunisia, the northeast of Algeria, and the coast of western Libya. It was one of the wealthiest parts of the Roman Empire.
#WyrdWednesday
Roman Africans were Berbers, Punics and descendants of Romans who lived in this province. They had a Romanized culture and their own version of Latin. Emperor Septimus Severus and St. Augustine of Hippo were Roman Africans.
Roman Africans were Berbers, Punics and descendants of Romans who lived in this province. They had a Romanized culture and their own version of Latin. Emperor Septimus Severus and St. Augustine of Hippo were Roman Africans.
#WyrdWednesday
Roman activity on the continent mostly remained in the northern part but there were several expeditions southwards. These were generally commercial explorations aimed at locating gold.
Roman activity on the continent mostly remained in the northern part but there were several expeditions southwards. These were generally commercial explorations aimed at locating gold.
#WyrdWednesday
The details and achievements of some of these expeditions are debated but it is generally agreed that:
1. The Cornelius Balbus expedition in 19 BC, reached Timbuktu.
2. The Suetonius Paulinus expedition in 41 AD, possibly reached the Senegal River.
The details and achievements of some of these expeditions are debated but it is generally agreed that:
1. The Cornelius Balbus expedition in 19 BC, reached Timbuktu.
2. The Suetonius Paulinus expedition in 41 AD, possibly reached the Senegal River.
#WyrdWednesday
(By the way, in the name of Boudica, screw you, Suetonius Paulinus!)
3. The Septimius Flaccus and Julius Maternus expeditions in 50 AD, possibly reached Lake Chad.
(By the way, in the name of Boudica, screw you, Suetonius Paulinus!)
3. The Septimius Flaccus and Julius Maternus expeditions in 50 AD, possibly reached Lake Chad.
#WyrdWednesday
4. The Julius Maternus expedition in 90 AD, possibly reached the Central African Republic. He went back to Rome with a two-horned rhinoceros which was shown in the Colosseum.
5. The Festus expedition in 70 AD, possibly reached the Niger River’s Estuary in Nigeria.
4. The Julius Maternus expedition in 90 AD, possibly reached the Central African Republic. He went back to Rome with a two-horned rhinoceros which was shown in the Colosseum.
5. The Festus expedition in 70 AD, possibly reached the Niger River’s Estuary in Nigeria.
#WyrdWednesday
In 61 AD, under Emperor Nero, the Romans also tried to locate the source of the Nile river. It is believed, though disputed, that they were able to go as far as Murchison Falls in northern Uganda.
In 61 AD, under Emperor Nero, the Romans also tried to locate the source of the Nile river. It is believed, though disputed, that they were able to go as far as Murchison Falls in northern Uganda.
#WyrdWednesday
Roman coins have been found in Nigeria, Niger, Guinea, Togo and Ghana. It is, however, possible that these were introduced at a later time.
Roman coins have been found in Nigeria, Niger, Guinea, Togo and Ghana. It is, however, possible that these were introduced at a later time.
#WyrdWednesday
There is evidence that traders in Djenne-Djenno (found in present day Mali) imported glass beads of Roman or Greek origin as early as the 3rd century BCE.
There is evidence that traders in Djenne-Djenno (found in present day Mali) imported glass beads of Roman or Greek origin as early as the 3rd century BCE.
#WyrdWednesday
Djenne-Djenno, is a city built by the Iron Age Nok culture. It has some of the oldest known evidence of Classical Mediterranean trade in West Africa. More here: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1199/the-roman-empire-in-west-africa/
Djenne-Djenno, is a city built by the Iron Age Nok culture. It has some of the oldest known evidence of Classical Mediterranean trade in West Africa. More here: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1199/the-roman-empire-in-west-africa/
