After writing about 'the Greek Influence in North Africa', it seemed useful to consider the Phoenician impact on the Berber/Imazighen culture.
Two former articles had already been published regarding the Punics – the African version of the Phoenician civilization. One paper specifically addressed 'Tanit's Sign', and another dealt with 'The Origin of the Punic Elephants'.
The objectives of the current study were to gather all available information on the topic in order to get a better understanding on most of the existing researches. This paper is threefold. It deals: 1. with the cultural impact of the Phoenicians in the Mediterranean, 2. the changes that the foundation of Carthage fostered, justifying the cultural appellation of Punic, 3. the major influence of the local Numidians in this process. In the Antiquity, the Greeks would call the Berbers, Libyans. Therefore, the term used in this article conveniently refer to the local Berbers, inhabiting an area covering most of Tunisia and the eastern part of Algeria, from Annaba & Constantine down to the Aurès mountains. Whether they are called Libyans or Numidians, - these are historical names - it refers to the same culture usually known as Berber, but that the word Amazigh (pl. Imazighen) tends to replace nowadays.
The amalgamation was so deeply rooted in society at the time that it seems almost anachronistic to use the term Punic for Carthage and Numidian for the Imazighen: the appellation Libyco-Punic would certainly be more appropriate.
Historians have written extensively on the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Phoenicians or the Punics, but very little is known of the Imazighen. Yet progressively, as we get a deeper knowledge of the period, we discover more and more how important their role was in the Antiquity and the effective impact they had on other cultures at the time. On a more sociological consideration, it is fascinating to realize how smooth the process of mutual integration went on. Yet, even more significantly, this syncretism fostered a collossal impact, economically as well as culturally on the historical development of North Africa.
This analysis is part of a broader scope aiming at having a better understanding of the Amazigh culture, while attempting at the same time to analyze the roots of their long-standing heritage.
Abstract:Punics & Numidians
Texte:Puniques et Humides - Les Phéniciens en Afrique du Nord (French)
Two former articles had already been published regarding the Punics – the African version of the Phoenician civilization. One paper specifically addressed 'Tanit's Sign', and another dealt with 'The Origin of the Punic Elephants'.
The objectives of the current study were to gather all available information on the topic in order to get a better understanding on most of the existing researches. This paper is threefold. It deals: 1. with the cultural impact of the Phoenicians in the Mediterranean, 2. the changes that the foundation of Carthage fostered, justifying the cultural appellation of Punic, 3. the major influence of the local Numidians in this process. In the Antiquity, the Greeks would call the Berbers, Libyans. Therefore, the term used in this article conveniently refer to the local Berbers, inhabiting an area covering most of Tunisia and the eastern part of Algeria, from Annaba & Constantine down to the Aurès mountains. Whether they are called Libyans or Numidians, - these are historical names - it refers to the same culture usually known as Berber, but that the word Amazigh (pl. Imazighen) tends to replace nowadays.
The amalgamation was so deeply rooted in society at the time that it seems almost anachronistic to use the term Punic for Carthage and Numidian for the Imazighen: the appellation Libyco-Punic would certainly be more appropriate.
Historians have written extensively on the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Phoenicians or the Punics, but very little is known of the Imazighen. Yet progressively, as we get a deeper knowledge of the period, we discover more and more how important their role was in the Antiquity and the effective impact they had on other cultures at the time. On a more sociological consideration, it is fascinating to realize how smooth the process of mutual integration went on. Yet, even more significantly, this syncretism fostered a collossal impact, economically as well as culturally on the historical development of North Africa.
This analysis is part of a broader scope aiming at having a better understanding of the Amazigh culture, while attempting at the same time to analyze the roots of their long-standing heritage.
Abstract:Punics & Numidians
Texte:Puniques et Humides - Les Phéniciens en Afrique du Nord (French)
Christian Sorand
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