Origin of the name Africa

Shaped two millennia ago

This continent was first settled by European rulers more than two millennia ago. Even then, the land between the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean was highly sought after due to its numerous mineral resources, and the Roman Empire conquered the first territories in the northern part of the continent more than 2,200 years ago. The black continent is named after a Roman senator and general who became famous for his battles.

The origin of the name

Africa is today the common name for the continent below Europe, coined about 1,800 years ago by a senator of the Roman Empire. Scipio Africanus, also known as the conqueror of Carthage, is often referred to in many history books as the namesake of the continent. He himself was from Africa, probably from present-day Tunisia. He grew up in the Greek and Roman colonies in North Africa. Scipio Africanus supported the Roman Empire and rose to become an influential general in North Africa. It is thanks to him that the Romans conquered Carthage in 146 BC. For more than three years, Scipio Africanus besieged the city with his troops, thereby becoming a respected and famous man. For a long time, the Romans had tried to control the influential port city, which is located on the northern coast of present-day Tunisia. The success of his troops was therefore all the more appreciated.

In his honor

In recognition of his outstanding abilities, which he demonstrated during the attack on Carthage, Scipio Africanus was appointed a senator of the Roman Empire. In addition, the region of North Africa, from the Mediterranean to the southern border of present-day Egypt, was named after him— Africa procunsularis. At that time, however, the entire continent was still referred to as Libya, in reference to the Libyan people. Scipio Africanus himself also came from this people, who were also called Afri and lived in the region of the port cities around Carthage and Utica.

Long after his death

The senator and general Scipio Africanus himself did not live to see the name of the black continent as Africa. It was not until nearly 400 years after his legendary conquest of the city of Carthage and long after his death that the name of the black continent as Africa, or Africa, became common. In the 3rd century AD, this name was used for the first time, and it has since become established, more than two thousand years after the death of Scipio Africanus.