Saint Augustine’s Alma Mater: Algeria, home to the World’s First University?
In ancient Numidia, in what is now northeastern Algeria, the city of Madauros, or modern-day M’daourouch in the Souk Ahras region, was once a thriving center of intellectual activity. At its heart stood an institution that may well have been the world’s first university.
Madauros: A City of Knowledge
Madauros was a prominent Numidian city, later Romanized, known for its vibrant intellectual life. The city was a blend of Amazigh and Roman influences which created a fertile ground for education and philosophical exchange. It is in this unique environment that might be the first university in the world was established.
The University of Madauros
Founded around 75 CE , the University of Madauros offered lectures in theology, philosophy, mathematics, law, and rhetoric. Courses were taught in Amazigh, Latin, and Greek. This academic institution attracted scholars from across the empire and beyond.
What truly sets the University of Madauros apart is the legacy of its students. Two of its most illustrious alumni are:
- Apuleius, the author of The Golden Ass (Metamorphoses), the first novel in history.
- Saint Augustine of Hippo, one of the most influential theologians and philosophers in Christian history, learned grammar and classical literature while in university.
A Forgotten Legacy
Despite its significance and the efforts of Algerian archeologists, the University of Madauros remains largely forgotten in global narratives about the history of education. Unlike other ancient institutions that continued to operate through the Middle Ages, Madauros eventually declined. However, its memory lives on in archaeological remains, inscriptions, and the writings of those it educated.
Source: The world’s oldest university gives up some of its secrets, Azzeddine Bensouiah, Link