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North Africa was
once
a
prosperous
part
of
the
Roman Empire
-
called the
"granary
of
the world."
Much
of
it now is desert.
The destruction
of
North
Africa has
sorne
lessons
for
us
today.
by
Ernest L. Martin
- -..
Casablanca, Morocco
I
N SPrTE
of what one might think of
the virtues or ills of ancient Rome,
a central fact must be recognized
by all: The Roman Empire was blessed
with sorne of the fairest portions of
land on the earth.
In the first Christian century, the
regions of Asia Minor, Syria and Pales–
tine were at the height of prosperity.
Egypt raised great quantities of food for
the population at Rome. Gaul (France)
and Spain were wonderfully productive
countries. But above all, in its abun–
dance of agricultura! land and in its
production of quality food, North
Africa stood unrivalled!
Here were beautiful snow-capped
--
fngltbtrl¡ 8loclc Stor
mountains, thickly covered with cnor–
mous trees of spectacular girth. Romans
knew nothing of a like grandeur
anywhere in the world. The produc–
tivity of the soil was remarkable. Pliny,
the natural historian, called this region,
"the granary of the world." Every
plant which grew elsewhere in the
Empire grew here, but always with
far greater yield and size than anywhere
else.
And animals? The region of North
Africa was like one gigantic game
reserve. There were great numbers of
elephants in the mountains and valleys.
Hippopotami and rhinoceroses bathed in
its rivers. Virtually every animal that we