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Popular history of Africa before the colonial era often divides the continent’s military systems into two broad categories —the relatively modern armies along the Atlantic coast which used firearms, versus the 'traditional' armies in the interior that fought with arrows and spears. And it was the latter in particular, whose chivalrous soldiers armed with antiquated weapons, are imagined to have quickly succumbed to colonial invasion.
a year ago

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More from African History Extra

Africans in ancient Greece and Cyprus

Africans were already present on the European mainland by the time Herodotus —the so called father of history— wrote his monumental work, The Histories.

5 days ago 11 votes
The Knights of ancient Nubia: horsemen and charioteers from the kingdom of Kush (ca. 1600BC-400CE)

Among the groups of foreigners present in the Assyrian capital of Nimrud in 732 BC, was a community of horse experts from the kingdom of Kush led by an official who supplied horses to the armies of Tiglath-Pileser III.

a week ago 11 votes
Chronicles of Africa's most powerful Women sovereigns: Amanirenas, Njinga and Eleni.

Less than six years following their victory over the armies of Queen Cleopatra in Egypt in 31 BC, the Romans marched their forces south to conquer the kingdom of Kush, which was also ruled by a Queen, known to her subjects as Amanirenas and to the Romans as the ‘Candace’.

2 weeks ago 12 votes
A complete history of Mogadishu (ca. 1100-1892)

Journal of African cities: chapter 16.

3 weeks ago 19 votes
African cities in the 19th century: cosmopolitan urban spaces between three worlds.

When the German adventurer Gerhard Rohlfs visited the city of Ibadan in 1867, he described it as “one of the greatest cities of the interior of Africa” with “endlessly long and wide streets made up of trading stalls.” However, unlike many of the West African cities he had encountered which were centuries old, Ibadan was only about as old as the 36-year-old explorer, yet it quickly surpassed its peers to be counted among the largest cities on the continent by the end of the century.

a month ago 17 votes

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The Steps a President Would Take to Destroy His Nation, According to Grok

Just out of curiosity, and apropos of nothing, we asked Grok (the AI chatbot created by Elon Musk) the following question: If a president of a superpower wanted to destroy his own country, what steps would he take? Here’s what Grok had to say: If a president of a superpower aimed to deliberately undermine their […]

19 hours ago 2 votes
Excavations at Pompeii Reveal Rare Life-Sized Statues

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Wrong Side of History Newsletter #61

7 hours ago 1 votes
What Is an Ideal Government? A Philosophical Approach

What makes a perfect government? Is it one governed by the wisest people or one that ensures the greatest possible happiness for the largest number of citizens? These questions have fascinated thinkers since ancient times—from Plato and other classical philosophers to John Locke and more recent political theorists. In this article, we will take […]

22 hours ago 1 votes
Painted Ants Scurry Over Vintage Porcelain by Evelyn Bracklow

German artist Evelyn Bracklow’s porcelain cups, saucers, teapots and dinner service is covered in ants. On some she’s painted a piece of food and then had her hand-painted black ants congregate around it. The effect is fascinating stuff and unsettling. We know that ants exist in abundance, but we don’t want to encounter one on … Continue reading "Painted Ants Scurry Over Vintage Porcelain by Evelyn Bracklow" The post Painted Ants Scurry Over Vintage Porcelain by Evelyn Bracklow appeared first on Flashbak.

an hour ago 1 votes