ROME IN AFRICA.

by Susan Raven

Nearly three thousand years ago the Phoenicians set up trading colonies on the coast of North Africa, and ever since successive civilizations have been imposed on the local inhabitants, largely from outside. Carthaginians, Romans, vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, TUrks, French and Italians have all occupied the region in their time.
The Romans governed this part of Africa for six hundred cities, twelve thousand miles of roads and hundreds of aquaducts, some fifty miles long. The remains of many of these structures can be seen today.
At the height of its prosperity, during the second and third centuries AD, the area was the granary of Rome, and produced more olive oil than Italy itself.
The broadening horizons of the Roman Empire provided scope for the particular talents of a number of Africa's sons: the writers Terence and Apuleius; the first African Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, famous Christian theologians like Tertulllian and Saint Augustine - these are just some who rose to meet the challenges of their age.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

292 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Norman Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fifty years, or so, have passed since the first edition of this book was written, so it is somewhat outdated. The rapid advances in archaeology and related studies must surely have produced a lot more information about this period.

However, there aren't a lot of books about this period and place, so it is a good choice for someone looking for a deeper look at this part of history than what is available in Roman, Byzantine, and Church history in general.

It is a short book - 230 pages, with plenty of black and white photographs - to cover a bit more than 1,000 years of history. It is pretty easy reading (as long as you don't spend a lot of time looking for locations on the limited maps provided). I found it to be a good, enjoyable book to read.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent survey of the Maghreb to the Islamic Conquest c.700. Nice detail, discusses Numidia, the Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, and Vandals. Best coverage of modern Tunisia and Eastern Algeria, but covers Libya and Morocco as well. Well selected B&W illustrations. First quarter covers pre Roman history, second Roman evolution, with remainder on Christianity, Vandals, and Byzantine rule. Balanced but opinionated, some old fashioned language, and excellent examples covering agriculture, ruins, and culture.