African Europeans

As early as the third century, St Mauricean Egyptianbecame leader of the legendary Roman Theban Legion. Ever since, there have been richly varied encounters between those defined as Africans and those called Europeans. Yet Africans and African Europeans are still widely believed to be only a recent presence in Europe. Olivette Otele traces a long African European heritage through the lives of individuals both ordinary and extraordinary. She uncovers a forgotten past, from Emperor Septimius Severus, to enslaved Africans living in Europe during the Renaissance, and all the way to present-day migrants moving to Europes cities. By exploring a history that has been long overlooked, she sheds light on questions very much alive todayon racism, identity, citizenship, power and resilience. 'African Europeans' is a landmark account of a crucial thread in Europes complex history. A Guardian Best Book of 2020 A History Today Book of the Year, 2020 A Waterstones Best Book of 2020