Region in central Africa, probably north of Lake Chad. According to Marinus of Tyre (Ptol. 1,8,5), Iulius Maternus together with the king of the Garamantes set off from Garama to the south and, after four months and 14 days (Ptol. 1,11,5), reached the Ethiopian land of A., where they saw a great number of rhinoceros (cf. also Ptol. 1,7,2; 8,2; 6 f.; 9,8; 10,1; 11,4; 12,2; 4,8,5; 7,5,2). Maternus seems to have travelled as a trader between AD 83 and 92. To our knowledge, he penetrated further than any other Roman into the African interior.
Agisymba(108 words)
Cite this page
Huß, Werner (Bamberg), “Agisymba”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 25 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e108180>
First published online: 2006
First print edition: 9789004122598, 20110510
▲ Back to top ▲