Offering a range of accounts from the ancient Mediterranean world by Africans, Greeks, and Romans, this source book brings together a rich collection of myths, literary works, histories, poems, and scientific treatises by Africans or about Africans. From ancient Egyptian medical texts and stories about figures such as the Carthaginian general Hannibal, to the formative Christian writings of St. Augustine and commentary on the contributions of the Alexandrian mathematician Hypatia, this volume surveys the incredible diversity of peoples and perspectives of the African continent in antiquity.
Short introductions contextualize each ancient source. A Thematic Guide to Readings helps readers follow advancements in science, technology, and literature; consider geographical and human diversity; trace the rise and fall of political figures; identify generalizations or stereotypes; and better understand developments in religion and spirituality as part of the ancient Mediterranean world.