Amphiscians, or Amphiscii, is a name given to inhabitants of the tropics. The word comes from the Greek αμφι ("about"), and σχια ("shadow"). The Amphiscians were also called Ascii. This term related specifically to those inhabitants of the globe, which, at certain times of the year, have no shadow. The word is formed of the privative particle α, and σχια, (umbra, "shadow").