a brief note on contacts between ancient African kingdoms and Rome.
finding the lost city of Rhapta on the east African coast.
=========================== #### Discover more from African History Extra All about African history; narrating the continent's neglected past Over 6,000 subscribers a brief note on contacts between ancient African kingdoms and Rome.
=================================================================== ### finding the lost city of Rhapta on the east African coast. ( Jun 09, 2024 25 Few classical civilizations were as impactful to the foreign contacts of ancient African states and societies like the Roman Empire. Shortly after Augustus became emperor of Rome, his armies undertook a series of campaigns into the African mainland south of the Mediterranean coast. The first of the Roman campaigns was directed into Nubia around 25BC, (
. While the Roman defeat in Nubia permanently ended its ambitions in this region and was concluded with a treaty between Kush's envoys and the emperor on the Greek island Samos in 21BC, Roman campaigns into central Libya beginning in 20BC were relatively successful and the region was gradually incorporated into the empire. The succeeding era, which is often referred to as '_Pax Romana_', was a dynamic period of trade and cultural exchanges between Rome and the rest of the world, including north-eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean world. The increase in commercial and diplomatic exchanges between Kush and Roman Egypt contributed to the expansion of the economy of Meroitic Kush, which was one of the sources of gold and ivory exported to Meditteranean markets.( By the 1st century CE, Meroe had entered a period of prosperity, with monumental building activity across the cities of the kingdom, as well as a high level of intellectual and artistic production. ( demonstrates the close relationship between the two state’s diplomatic and economic interests. _**the shrine of Hathor (also called the 'Roman kiosk') at Naqa, Sudan. ca. 1st century CE**_. _It was constructed by the Meroitic co-rulers Natakamani and Amanitore and served as a ‘transitory’ shrine in front of the larger temple of the Nubian god Apedemak (seen in the background). Its nickname is derived from its mix of Meroitic architecture (like the style used for the Apedemak temple) with Classical elements (like the decoration of the shrine’s columns and arched windows). The Meroitic inscriptions found on the walls of the shrine indicate that it was built by local masons who were likely familiar with aspects of the construction styles of Roman-Egypt or assisted by a few masons from the latter._( * * * ( * * * The patterns of exchange and trade that characterized _Pax Romana_ would also contribute to the expansion of Aksumite commercial and political activities in the Red Sea region, which was a conduit for the lucrative trade in silk and spices from the Indian Ocean world as well as ivory from the Aksumite hinterland. At the close of the 2nd century, the armies of Aksum were campaigning on the Arabian peninsula and the kingdom’s port city of Adulis had become an important anchorage for merchant ships traveling from Roman-Egypt to the Indian Ocean littoral. These activities would lay the foundation for the success of (
. _**Dungur Palace, Aksum, Ethiopia - Reconstruction, by World History Encyclopedia.**_ _This large, multi-story complex was one of several structures that dominated the Aksumite capital and regional towns across the kingdom, and its architectural style was a product of centuries of local developments. The material culture of these elite houses indicates that their occupants had access to luxury goods imported from Rome, including glassware, amphorae, and Roman coins._( The significance of the relationship between Rome and the kingdoms of Kush and Aksum can be gleaned from Roman accounts of world geography in which the cities of Meroe and Aksum are each considered to be a '_**Metropolis**_' —a term reserved for large political and commercial capitals. This term had been used for Meroe since the 5th century BC and Aksum since the 1st century CE, since they were the largest African cities known to the classical writers(
. However, by the time Ptolemy composed his monumental work on world geography in 150 CE, another African city had been elevated to the status of a Metropolis. This new African metropolis was the **city of Rhapta,** located on the coast of East Africa known as _‘Azania’_, and it was the southernmost center of trade in a chain of port towns that stretched from the eastern coast of Somalia to the northern coast of Mozambique. **The history of the ancient East African coast and its links to the Roman world are the subject of my latest Patreon article.** **Please subscribe to read about it here:** ( * * * _**Fresco with an aithiopian woman presenting ivory to a seated figure (Dido of Carthage) as a personified Africa overlooks**_, from House of Meleager at Pompeii, MAN Napoli 8898, Museo Archaeologico Nazionale, Naples Thanks for reading African History Extra! for free to receive new posts and support my work. ( The Kingdom of Kush: Handbook of the Napatan-Meroitic Civilization pg 461-465, 398), The Image of the Ordered World in Ancient Nubian Art pg 466-467 ( Hellenizing Art in Ancient Nubia 300 BC–AD 250 and its Egyptian Models: A Study in “Acculturation” by László Török pg 301-308 ( Foundations of an African Civilization: Aksum & the Northern Horn By D. W. Phillipson pg 121-125, 197-200 ( Aksum and Nubia: Warfare, Commerce, and Political Fictions in Ancient Northeast Africa By George Hatke pg 29, Foundations of an African Civilization: Aksum & the Northern Horn By D. W. Phillipson pg 121
### Brief Note on Contacts between Ancient African Kingdoms and Rome

#### Overview of Roman Expeditions into Africa

1. **Initial Roman Campaigns (25 BC)**: 
   - Shortly after Augustus became emperor, Roman forces launched military campaigns into Africa, first targeting Nubia.
   - The Roman campaign in Nubia ended in defeat, leading to a treaty established in 21 BC between Kushite envoys and the Roman emperor on the island of Samos.

2. **Success in Central Libya (20 BC)**: 
   - In contrast to the Nubian campaign, Roman efforts in central Libya were more successful, resulting in the gradual incorporation of this region into the Roman Empire.

#### The Era of Pax Romana

3. **Trade and Cultural Exchange**: 
   - The era known as Pax Romana was marked by an increase in trade and cultural exchanges between Rome and northeastern Africa.
   - The economic relationship between Kush and Roman Egypt flourished, enhancing Meroitic Kush’s economy, which was a vital source of gold and ivory for Mediterranean markets.

4. **Prosperity of Meroe (1st Century CE)**: 
   - By the 1st century CE, Meroe experienced significant prosperity characterized by monumental architecture and a flourishing of intellectual and artistic endeavors.

#### Architectural Significance

5. **The Shrine of Hathor (Naqa, Sudan)**:
   - Constructed in the 1st century CE by Meroitic co-rulers Natakamani and Amanitore, this shrine symbolizes the blend of Meroitic and Classical architectural styles.
   - Notable features include Meroitic inscriptions and construction techniques that reflect cultural exchanges with Roman Egypt.

#### Expansion of Aksumite Influence

6. **Aksumite Trade Activities**: 
   - The pattern of trade during Pax Romana also facilitated the expansion of Aksumite influence in the Red Sea region.
   - Aksum became a key player in the trade of silk, spices, and ivory, with its port city Adulis serving as a crucial anchorage for merchant ships.

7. **Material Culture in Aksum**:
   - Aksumite elite houses indicated access to luxury Roman imports such as glassware and coins, reflecting the kingdom's economic connections with Rome.

#### Recognition of Meroe and Aksum

8. **Roman Geography and Cities**: 
   - Roman accounts from the 1st century CE recognized Meroe and Aksum as 'Metropolises,' denoting their significance as major political and commercial centers in Africa.

#### The Emergence of Rhapta

9. **Discovery of Rhapta (2nd Century CE)**:
   - By 150 CE, Ptolemy identified Rhapta as another significant African metropolis, located on the East African coast.
   - Rhapta served as the southernmost trade center in a network of port towns, facilitating commerce between the eastern African coast and other regions, including the Indian Ocean.

### Conclusion

- The ancient African kingdoms of Kush and Aksum established substantial trade and cultural ties with the Roman Empire, contributing to their political and economic development.
- Rhapta's recognition as a metropolis illustrates the importance of East Africa in the broader context of ancient trade networks, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of the ancient world.