Description
Drawn from a vast area and numerous tribes, the warriors of sub-Saharan Africa were unsurprisingly diverse in appearance and culture. They all possessed long and rich warrior traditions, such as that of the Nubians and their descendants who ruled Kush, and Aksum. Despite tribal differences weapons and equipment differed only in detail: spears, javelins, bows and short swords were favoured. Relatively little armour was worn, but some tribes did employ wicker, wood or hide shields. Adornments and decorations varied greatly and some groups sported warpaint. Aethiopians in Persian service were known for painting themselves chalk white on one side and vermillion on the other, and using spears and bows of palmwood. Fighting as allies and mercenaries for Carthage, Persia, and the eastern Successors, tribesmen could be found throughout Africa and Asia Minor.
