Von Tripolis Nach Alexandrien - 1. Band

A travelogue written in the late 19th century. This work documents Rohlfs' expedition to Tripoli and the surrounding regions, undertaken at the behest of the Prussian King. The narrative weaves together observations of locales, insights into the socio-political dynamics of the time, and Rohlfs’ interactions with local populations as he explores the culture and history of North Africa. The opening of the book sets the stage for Rohlfs' journey, which begins in the autumn of 1868 when he receives the royal commission to deliver gifts from the King of Prussia to the Sultan of Bornu. As he travels through Marseille, he reflects on the city’s developments and comments on the intertwined histories of European powers and North African cultures. The narrative introduces his encounters with various characters, including diplomats and merchants, while Rohlfs examines the impact of colonization in the region, highlighting the tensions between different cultural identities and the forces of civilization and tradition. Through vivid descriptions of landscapes and the stark realities faced by the local populations, Rohlfs provides readers with a vivid tableau of 19th-century North Africa.