From 5th century BCE
Carthage and the Moroccan Atlantic coast
Hanno was a Carthaginian leader associated with a reported voyage along the Moroccan Atlantic coast. The passage identifies him with the Magonid family and presents him as a statesman connected with Carthaginian expansion in Africa. A Greek text attributed to his voyage describes coastal settlements or anchorages, including Cerne, and further journeys southward. The interpretation, purpose and geographic reach of the report remain uncertain.
Continue exploring
The Story
Hanno is associated in the passage with the Magonid family, which played a leading role in Carthaginian expansion during the middle of the fifth century BCE. He is identified as a statesman and as the leader of a voyage down the Moroccan coast. The surviving account is known through a Greek text that claims to translate the report of the expedition.
The most concrete part of the report concerns the establishment of settlements along the Moroccan coast. It names Cerne as the most southerly settlement mentioned, generally identified with Hern Island at the mouth of the Rio de Oro. Another geographical source describes Cerne as an anchorage where Phoenician merchants unloaded goods and exchanged them with Ethiopian inhabitants on the mainland.
The report continues with descriptions of voyages farther south, including frightening inhabitants, nocturnal drums and rivers of fire. These details may have been intended to discourage competitors, especially given Carthage’s policy of excluding other traders from the region. The source cautions that the voyage’s purpose is not stated, its interpretation is difficult and the proposed southern limit as far as Mount Cameroon is probably excessive.
From 5th century BCE
Carthage and the Moroccan Atlantic coast
Hanno was a Carthaginian leader associated with a reported voyage along the Moroccan Atlantic coast. The passage identifies him with the Magonid family and presents him as a statesman connected with Carthaginian expansion in Africa. A Greek text attributed to his voyage describes coastal settlements or anchorages, including Cerne, and further journeys southward. The interpretation, purpose and geographic reach of the report remain uncertain.
Continue exploring
The Story
Hanno is associated in the passage with the Magonid family, which played a leading role in Carthaginian expansion during the middle of the fifth century BCE. He is identified as a statesman and as the leader of a voyage down the Moroccan coast. The surviving account is known through a Greek text that claims to translate the report of the expedition.
The most concrete part of the report concerns the establishment of settlements along the Moroccan coast. It names Cerne as the most southerly settlement mentioned, generally identified with Hern Island at the mouth of the Rio de Oro. Another geographical source describes Cerne as an anchorage where Phoenician merchants unloaded goods and exchanged them with Ethiopian inhabitants on the mainland.
The report continues with descriptions of voyages farther south, including frightening inhabitants, nocturnal drums and rivers of fire. These details may have been intended to discourage competitors, especially given Carthage’s policy of excluding other traders from the region. The source cautions that the voyage’s purpose is not stated, its interpretation is difficult and the proposed southern limit as far as Mount Cameroon is probably excessive.
Continue the journey
Other paths related to this story.