Troglodytes

Reptile eaters or cave dwellers

Due to a faulty translation, the name was applied to cave dwellers. However, the Troglodytes are nomadic herders and are probably descendants of the Tubu, who lived in the central Sahara. Strabo reports that they also lived on the Red Sea and that the important port city of Berenike was located in their territory.

Barter and customs

The Troglodytes spoke a Nubian language. The people ate fish, but also reptiles and other foods. The Troglodytes also owned ships with which they could sail out to sea. Tortoise shells were a much-used barter item among the Troglodytes.