Africa and the Middle Ages with D. Vance Smith

Despite its vast cultural, spiritual, and material wealth, medieval Africa has too often been sidelined in the study of the Middle Ages. Or it's been peppered with asterisks to explain why its history is different, odd, or otherwise somehow “doesn't count”. Fortunately, the tide seems to be turning. But how did we get here? And how did people outside of Africa view its peoples and kingdoms during the Middle Ages? This week, Danièle speaks with D. Vance Smith about medieval European ideas of Africa, the long shadow cast by the fall of Carthage, and how Medieval Studies itself contributed to colonization. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

You can listen to Africa and the Middle Ages with D. Vance Smith online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Africa and the Middle Ages with D. Vance Smith is an episode from The Medieval Podcast by Danièle Cybulskie.

This episode is 45:54 long.

This episode was published on Jan 29, 2026.

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