Africa

Teneo te, Africa (I take possession of thee, O Africa). When Cæsar landed at Adrumētum, in Africa, he tripped and fell—a bad omen; but, with wonderful presence of mind, he pretended that he had done so intentionally, and kissing the soil, exclaimed, “Thus do I take possession of thee, O Africa.” Told also of Scipio. (See Don Quixote, Pt. II. Bk. vi. ch. 6.)

Africa semper aliquid novi affert. “Africa is always producing some novelty.” A Greek proverb quoted (in Latin) by Pliny, in allusion to the ancient belief that Africa abounded in strange monsters.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

Africa

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