As early as the third century, St Maurice¿an Egyptian¿became leader of the legendary Roman Theban Legion. Ever since, there have been richly varied encounters between those defined as `Africans¿ and those called `Europeans¿. Yet Africans and African Europeans are still widely believed to be only a recent presence in Europe.Olivette Otele traces a long African European heritage through the lives of individuals both ordinary and extraordinary. She uncovers a forgotten past, from Emperor Septimius Severus, to enslaved Africans living in Europe during the Renaissance, and all the way to present-day migrants moving to Europe¿s cities. By exploring a history that has been long overlooked, she sheds light on questions very much alive today¿on racism, identity, citizenship, power and resilience.''African Europeans'' is a landmark account of a crucial thread in Europe¿s complex history.A Guardian Best Book of 2020A History Today Book of the Year, 2020 A Waterstones Best Book of 2020