Pygmies in the Roman World

Great confusion existed around Pygmies in the ancient world. There was debate about where exactly they came from and whether or not they actually existed. This confusion existed for the most part in the literature of the time. In the artwork of the Romans, Pygmies were associated with Egypt as they were usually a part of Nilotic scenes but often they were confused with dwarves by the artists. But these depictions for the Romans represented the power structure in the world. They were rulers of the known world and could portray the conquered people, especially the exotic other, as they wished in order to feel good about themselves.