Before Color Prejudice: The Ancient View of Blacks

Frank M. Snowden, Jr.

ISBN 10: 0674063805 / ISBN 13: 9780674063808

Published by Harvard University Press, 1983

About this Item

A copy that has been read, remains in good condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine and cover show signs of wear. Pages can include notes and highlighting and show signs of wear, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or previous owner inscriptions. 100% GUARANTEE! Shipped with delivery confirmation, if you're not satisfied with purchase please return item! Ships via media mail.

Seller Inventory # OTV.0674063805.G

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Before Color Prejudice: The Ancient View of Blacks
• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication Date: 1983
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674063805
• ISBN 13: 9780674063808
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: good

About this title

Synopsis

In this richly illustrated account of black–white contacts from the Pharaohs to the Caesars, Frank Snowden demonstrates that the ancients did not discriminate against blacks because of their color.

For three thousand years Mediterranean whites intermittently came in contact with African blacks in commerce and war, and left a record of these encounters in art and in written documents. The blacks―most commonly known as Kushites, Ethiopians, or Nubians―were redoubtable warriors and commanded the respect of their white adversaries. The overall view of blacks was highly favorable. In science, philosophy, and religion color was not the basis of theories concerning inferior peoples. And early Christianity saw in the black man a dramatic symbol of its catholic mission.

This book sheds light on the reasons for the absence in antiquity of virulent color prejudice and for the difference in attitudes of whites toward blacks in ancient and modern societies.

About the Author

Frank M. Snowden, Jr., was Professor of Classics, Emeritus, at Howard University.