Graham, Alexander: Roman Africa: an outline of the history of the Roman occupation of North Africa ; based chiefly upon inscriptions and monumental remains in that country (London [u.a.], 1902)

Preface

Xlll

eserted plains of North Africa, to realise, in these far-off days,

he extent and completeness of Roman colonisation. No other

lation has left so many enduring marks of its presence as the

3.oman, and in no other country, outside Italy, is there such a

wealth of inscriptions as in North Africa. Stone and marble,

earing the impress of human agency, are scattered over the

nd, and the familiar lettering is there also as a mute

nemorial to widespread contentment and prosperity.

It is not within the scope of this outline of historic inquiry

.o trace the methods by which the Romans achieved success in

:olonisation where other nations have failed. This branch of

he subject has proved attractive to many authors of high

epute, especially in the present generation, and still presents

n unexhausted field for further critical investigation. Nor

oes the writer of the following pages claim originality in the

•eatment of this subject, or any ability to impart special

nformation not open to students of Roman history, who may

'care to pursue their inquiries in some of the more remote

regions of Northern Africa. Notes and observations during

frequent journeys in various parts of the country,1 and a study

of the inscriptions and monumental remains of the Roman

occupation, have supplied a large proportion of the material

embodied in this volume. Archaeology is the willing handmaid

of history. Without such help the history of the Romans in

Africa would be less attractive, and our acquaintance with their

progress and decline more fragmentary. Every week the spade

of the explorer contributes something to our knowledge ; either

some undiscovered monument on the plains, or an inscribed

stone to tell its own unvarnished tale of place or person long

passed away. The chief aim of the present work is to trace as

far as possible the extent of the Roman occupation, the degree

of civilisation attained in the first four centuries of the Christian

era, and to show how conspicuous a part was played by North

Africa in the building up of a great Empire.

1 Travels in Tunisia. By Alexander Graham and Henry Spencer Ashbee.
London: 1887.