Post by anansi on Sept 17, 2024 23:18:10 GMT -5
You know how folks said the yrs 535 A.D + a decade or so after, sucked absolutely? well yes that’s true if you lived in the Northern Hemisphere, from China to the Americas, climate change caused havoc, famine and diseases, empires tottered on the brink, even North African states of the Southern Mediterranean did not go unscathed, so who were doing well or at least well enough ? Africans south of the desert, while all these folks up north were in trouble, The effects of the climatic disruptions lasted for several years, possibly extending for a decade or more. the Axumites were doing pretty good, although I suspect that Agri-industries may have slowed down somewhat, they never the less expanded and flexed muscles across the Red Sea , about a decade before, but maintained dominance long after, life was looking good for them.
Emperor Kaleb & The First Crusade (~500AD-~535AD)
Emperor Kaleb led a crusade against the Jewish Himyarite King Dhu Nuwas to halt the massacre of over 10,000 Christians, subsequently becoming venerated as Saint Elesbaan.
Aksumite Geo-Political Situation – Beginning Of Kaleb’s Reign
"By the help of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I, Caleb Ella Asbeha, son of Tazéna, king of Aksum and of Hasu (Kasu), and of Raydan, and of Saba, and of Salhen, and of Tiamo, and of the Yemenites, and of Tihamat, and of all, and of Rabam (?), and of Bega, and of Noba, and of the Arabites."
— Ancient and Medieval Ethiopian History to 1270, p. 124
Emperor Ousas (~500AD)
Gold Coin Depicting Emperor Ousanas II/Ousas. (Source)
The last known emperor of this period is Ousas also known as Ousanas II, who reigned from the late 5th century to the early 6th century. Although detailed historical records are sparse, his coinage provides some insights. The inscriptions on his coins read “Ousas King” and “By the Grace of God,” indicating a continued emphasis on divine legitimacy17. Scholars suggest that Ousas might have been the father of the famous Emperor Kaleb, with Ousas’s alternative name being Tazena in traditional records18.
There are three different names in the coinage: Ousas, Ousana & Ousanas. Scholars used to speculate that these were three seperate Emperors but now most think it’s one19.
The Nine Saints of the Aksumite Empire (~480AD)
Overview
The Nine Saints were influential Christian missionaries who played a pivotal role in the spread of Christianity in the Aksumite Empire. They originated from various Roman territories and were known for their anti-Chalcedonian stance, which led to their departure from the Roman Empire. Their mission was to evangelize and establish Christian monasticism within the Aksumite Empire, replacing pagan places of worship with monasteries and churches.
Chalcedonian refers to the Council of Chalcedon, convened in 451 in Chalcedon, Turkey, by several hundred Christian bishops. The primary agenda of this council was to resolve the theological debate over the nature of Jesus Christ. The council ultimately affirmed that Jesus Christ exists in two distinct natures, divine and human, a doctrine now known as the Chalcedonian definition. However, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, including the Ethiopian and Eritrean churches of today (Aksumite Churchs at the time), did not adopt this Chalcedonian doctrine, maintaining instead that Christ has one unified nature, a combination of the human and divine20.
Origins and Arrival
According to the Gedle Argawi, a traditional text covering the Nine Saints, these revered figures arrived during the reign of Ella-Amida II, who was the sixth king after Abreha and Asbeha and the grandfather of Emperor Kaleb. Their presence spanned approximately 50 years, covering the reigns of Ella-Amida II (8 years), Tazena (12 years), Emperor Kaleb (30 years), and part of the reign of Gebre Meskel21.
habeshahistory.com/habesha-history/the-nine-saints-and-the-aksumite-empires-middle-era-350ad-530ad/#75539c5e-ff92-49f2-8e53-fc0a04999be0
Map showing the extent of the kingdom of Noubadia between Egypt and Sudan.
A 5th-century victory inscription, made by the Noubadian King Silko records his three major campaigns against the Blemmyes, in which he also identifies himself as “king of the Nobades and all the Aithiopians”. In the course of his campaigns, king Silko's first victory ends with a peace treaty with the Blemmyes, that was reportedly broken by the latter prompting two more campaigns, the last of which ended with his occupation of Kalabsha and the decisive defeat of the Blemmye ruler, who then became Silko's subject. A Blemmyan perspective of these defeats is presented in a letter written by the subordinate Blemmyan ruler Phonen to Silko's successor Abourni found at the latter's capital in the city of Qasr Ibrim, in which the former pleads with the latter to restore some of his possessions, but to no avail.8
5th century Greek inscription by King Silko and his depiction on the Mandulis temple at Kalabsha.
5th century Greek letter by the Blemmyan ruler Phonen to the Noubadian king Abourni, found at Qasr Ibrim.
The Noubadian Kingdom
Following their conquest of the 1st cataract region, successive Noubadian kings, including; king Abourni, king Tantani, king Orfulo, and king Tokiltoenon in the 5th-6th century, extended their control south into the 3rd cataract region moving the kingdom's capital from Qasr Ibrim to Faras, and establishing a more complex administrative system, with subordinate regional elites. Noubadia’s cities were major centers of domestic crafts production, and the kingdom engaged in extensive trade, including external trade with Byzantine Egypt, regional trade with the emergent Nubian kingdoms to its south like Makuria and Alodia, as well as domestic trade and gift exchange internally.9
Noubadian cities and other urban settlements were characterized by monumental stone and mudbrick architecture for both domestic and public functions, they were enclosed within city walls and other fortifications, and were laid out following the classic meroitic street grid. The largest Noubadian settlements included the capital city of Faras with its palatial residences; the regional administrative centers Qasr Ibrim, Firkinarti and Gebel Sesi; the sub-regional cities like Meinarti and the fortified cities of Sabagura, Ikhmindi and Sheikh Daud; as well as a continuous string of walled towns and villages along the banks of the Nile.10
ruins of the Noubadian city of Sabagura built in the 6th century
ruins of the cathedral of Faras, originally constructed in the 7th century, but rebuilt in 707 after the original church was destroyed in a storm.11
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/an-african-kingdom-on-the-edge-of
Emperor Kaleb & The First Crusade (~500AD-~535AD)
Emperor Kaleb led a crusade against the Jewish Himyarite King Dhu Nuwas to halt the massacre of over 10,000 Christians, subsequently becoming venerated as Saint Elesbaan.
Aksumite Geo-Political Situation – Beginning Of Kaleb’s Reign
"By the help of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I, Caleb Ella Asbeha, son of Tazéna, king of Aksum and of Hasu (Kasu), and of Raydan, and of Saba, and of Salhen, and of Tiamo, and of the Yemenites, and of Tihamat, and of all, and of Rabam (?), and of Bega, and of Noba, and of the Arabites."
— Ancient and Medieval Ethiopian History to 1270, p. 124
Emperor Ousas (~500AD)
Gold Coin Depicting Emperor Ousanas II/Ousas. (Source)
The last known emperor of this period is Ousas also known as Ousanas II, who reigned from the late 5th century to the early 6th century. Although detailed historical records are sparse, his coinage provides some insights. The inscriptions on his coins read “Ousas King” and “By the Grace of God,” indicating a continued emphasis on divine legitimacy17. Scholars suggest that Ousas might have been the father of the famous Emperor Kaleb, with Ousas’s alternative name being Tazena in traditional records18.
There are three different names in the coinage: Ousas, Ousana & Ousanas. Scholars used to speculate that these were three seperate Emperors but now most think it’s one19.
The Nine Saints of the Aksumite Empire (~480AD)
Overview
The Nine Saints were influential Christian missionaries who played a pivotal role in the spread of Christianity in the Aksumite Empire. They originated from various Roman territories and were known for their anti-Chalcedonian stance, which led to their departure from the Roman Empire. Their mission was to evangelize and establish Christian monasticism within the Aksumite Empire, replacing pagan places of worship with monasteries and churches.
Chalcedonian refers to the Council of Chalcedon, convened in 451 in Chalcedon, Turkey, by several hundred Christian bishops. The primary agenda of this council was to resolve the theological debate over the nature of Jesus Christ. The council ultimately affirmed that Jesus Christ exists in two distinct natures, divine and human, a doctrine now known as the Chalcedonian definition. However, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, including the Ethiopian and Eritrean churches of today (Aksumite Churchs at the time), did not adopt this Chalcedonian doctrine, maintaining instead that Christ has one unified nature, a combination of the human and divine20.
Origins and Arrival
According to the Gedle Argawi, a traditional text covering the Nine Saints, these revered figures arrived during the reign of Ella-Amida II, who was the sixth king after Abreha and Asbeha and the grandfather of Emperor Kaleb. Their presence spanned approximately 50 years, covering the reigns of Ella-Amida II (8 years), Tazena (12 years), Emperor Kaleb (30 years), and part of the reign of Gebre Meskel21.
habeshahistory.com/habesha-history/the-nine-saints-and-the-aksumite-empires-middle-era-350ad-530ad/#75539c5e-ff92-49f2-8e53-fc0a04999be0
Map showing the extent of the kingdom of Noubadia between Egypt and Sudan.
A 5th-century victory inscription, made by the Noubadian King Silko records his three major campaigns against the Blemmyes, in which he also identifies himself as “king of the Nobades and all the Aithiopians”. In the course of his campaigns, king Silko's first victory ends with a peace treaty with the Blemmyes, that was reportedly broken by the latter prompting two more campaigns, the last of which ended with his occupation of Kalabsha and the decisive defeat of the Blemmye ruler, who then became Silko's subject. A Blemmyan perspective of these defeats is presented in a letter written by the subordinate Blemmyan ruler Phonen to Silko's successor Abourni found at the latter's capital in the city of Qasr Ibrim, in which the former pleads with the latter to restore some of his possessions, but to no avail.8
5th century Greek inscription by King Silko and his depiction on the Mandulis temple at Kalabsha.
5th century Greek letter by the Blemmyan ruler Phonen to the Noubadian king Abourni, found at Qasr Ibrim.
The Noubadian Kingdom
Following their conquest of the 1st cataract region, successive Noubadian kings, including; king Abourni, king Tantani, king Orfulo, and king Tokiltoenon in the 5th-6th century, extended their control south into the 3rd cataract region moving the kingdom's capital from Qasr Ibrim to Faras, and establishing a more complex administrative system, with subordinate regional elites. Noubadia’s cities were major centers of domestic crafts production, and the kingdom engaged in extensive trade, including external trade with Byzantine Egypt, regional trade with the emergent Nubian kingdoms to its south like Makuria and Alodia, as well as domestic trade and gift exchange internally.9
Noubadian cities and other urban settlements were characterized by monumental stone and mudbrick architecture for both domestic and public functions, they were enclosed within city walls and other fortifications, and were laid out following the classic meroitic street grid. The largest Noubadian settlements included the capital city of Faras with its palatial residences; the regional administrative centers Qasr Ibrim, Firkinarti and Gebel Sesi; the sub-regional cities like Meinarti and the fortified cities of Sabagura, Ikhmindi and Sheikh Daud; as well as a continuous string of walled towns and villages along the banks of the Nile.10
ruins of the Noubadian city of Sabagura built in the 6th century
ruins of the cathedral of Faras, originally constructed in the 7th century, but rebuilt in 707 after the original church was destroyed in a storm.11
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/an-african-kingdom-on-the-edge-of