Christianity in Nubia and Aksum

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the spread of Christianity in Nubia and Aksum, as discussed in lecture notes.

Christian Kingdoms of Nubia

Historical regions in Nubia where Christianity was practiced and developed.

Silko

King of Nobadae, believed to have introduced Christianity to Nubia.

Aksum

An ancient Ethiopian kingdom connected to trade routes and early Christianity.

Cosmas Indicopleustes

A 6th-century writer who noted the existence of Christians in the tropical area south of Egypt.

Eunuch of Ethiopia

A man of great authority who is mentioned in Acts 8:27-39 as one of the first recorded converts to Christianity.

Patristics

The study of the early Christian theologians, known as Church Fathers, in late antiquity.

John of Ephesus

A Byzantine bishop who documented the conversion of Nubia to Christianity.

Ezana

The king of Aksum who declared Christianity the state religion in the 4th century AD.

Kaleb Ella Asbeha

The new king of Aksum who conducted retaliatory campaigns against Himyra.

Dhu Nuwas

Himyarite king who persecuted Christians and played a key role in the Axumite wars.

Abreha

A Himyarite chieftain and former slave who engaged in negotiations with Aksum and claimed Christian allegiance.

Ge-ez

The ancient script used in the Horn of Africa, still in use today.

Blemmyes

An ancient people who were considered mythical and depicted as pagans.

Himyar

Southern Arabian region involved in conflicts with Aksum over Christianity.

Ethiopian Monophysitism

The belief that Christ has only one divine nature, contrasting with Dyophysitism.

Cushitic Branch

A group of languages and peoples associated with the highlands of the Horn of Africa.

Jewish Pogroms

Systematic acts of violence against Christians led by Dhu Nuwas, affecting Aksumite relations.