Christian Kingdoms In Ethiopia By: Nick and Jazz

Christian Kingdoms Overview Ethiopian Kingdom and Nubian Kingdom Influences of Christianity in Ethiopia. The first Ethiopian states in the 13th 14th centuries. The Foundation of Bet Giorgis and King Lalibela.

The different Kingdoms: Egypt Copts Christian Communities Thrived in Egypt and Nubia. The Copts were able to maintain a rich tradition and contact with the Byzantium Empire. They split up from Byzantine connection because Egypt was conquered by Arab armies and later converted to Islam.

The Kingdom of Nubia In a desert region and ancient kingdom in the Nile River valley of southern Egypt and northern Sudan and it was based on the Coptic influence of Egypt. After the 20th century B.C. it was controlled by the rulers of Egypt, although in the 8th and 7th centuries an independent kingdom arose that conquered Egypt and ruled as the XXV Dynasty (712-663). It Converted to Christianity in the 6th century A.D., Nubia united with Ethiopia but fell to the Muslims in the 14th century. Much of the region was flooded by the completion of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s.

Map of Nubian Kingdom

Ethiopian Kingdom and its Influences to Christian faith Grew from Axum Axum- kingdom that was conquered by Ethiopia and the Arabian Solders made them eventually convert to Christianity. Axum was the most Important African Christian outpost. Ethiopia was influenced by Pagan and Jewish converts.

Location of Axum

Ethiopian Kingdom; The Rise of Islam The spread of Islam in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Northern Africa and coastal parts of the Eastern Africa. continuously isolated Axum culturally and commercially from the remainder of the Christian world. particularly the Byzantine Empire. In response to Islamic expansion around the Axumite kingdom and the subsequent loss of their maritime trade routes, the Axumites turned their attention to the northern Ethiopian highlands. spreading the kingdom southward. 

Predominantly Muslim Countries

The First Ethiopian states in the 13th and 14th century In later 13th and 14th centuries the Red Sea Kingdoms became the first states of Ethiopia. The Red Sea Kingdoms included Saudi Arabia. Christian state emerges Under dynasty that traced its origins back to the biblical marriage of Solomon and Sheba. This state maintained its brand of Christianity in isolation while facing pressure form increasing Muslim neighbors.

Map of Ethiopian Kingdom

The Catholic Church Bet Giorgis 13th century church Represented the power of early Christianity in Ethiopia. One of a great complex of 11 churches That king Lalibela believed God had commanded him to build. Dedicated to St. George (patron saint of Ethiopia) Architecture Cut out of bedrock from the earth and its top was in the shape of a giant cross that lies at ground level. Surrounded by impassible walls, it was reached by underground tunnel carved in stone. Still used as a place for worship today.

Key Terminology Copts- Christian section of Egypt that tended to support Islamic invasions of this area in preference to Byzantine rule. Lalibela- King that believed that God commanded him to build The Bet Giorgis. Nubia- A dessert region and ancient kingdom in the Nile river valley of southern Egypt and Northern Sudan. Religious conversion- The adoption of a new religious belief that differed from the person’s last belief.

Picture citations http://www.ethioembassy.org.uk/business/Business%20in%20Ethiopia%20by%20Pricewaterhouse/Ethiopia.htm churchhttp://www.sacredsites.com/africa/ethiopia/images/looking-down-bet-giorgis-500.jpg http://wysinger.homestead.com/nubians10.html http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/map.html http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/11794/87705/