Abreha and Atsbeha were brothers and Aksumite rulers who were said to have adopted Christianity in the 4th-century, although this claim is dubious.[1] The story of Abreha and Atsbeha is lifted from that of the historical personages King Ezana and his brother Saizana.[2][1][3] Stuart Munro-Hay has also speculated that the myth may have emerged from a confusion with two other religious Aksumite figures: Kaleb of Axum, whose throne name was Ella Atsbeha, and Abraha, an Aksumite general who promoted Christianity in Yemen.[4]

According to tradition, Abreha and Atsbeha succeeded Ella Allada to the Aksumite throne.[4] The missionary Frumentius, who had been captured during Ella Allada's reign,[4] converted the brothers to Christianity following which the rest of the kingdom eventually converted.[4] It is claimed they founded 44 churches.[5][6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hein, Ewald (1999). Ethiopia, Christian Africa : art, churches and culture. Ratingen : Melina-Verlag. pp. 99–100. ISBN 978-3-929255-28-7.
  2. ↑ Prouty, Chris (1981). Historical dictionary of Ethiopia. Metuchen, N.J. : Scarecrow Press. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-8108-1448-6.
  3. ↑ Heldman, Marilyn Eiseman (1993). African Zion: the sacred art of Ethiopia. New Haven ; London : Yale University Press. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-300-05819-2.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Munro-Hay, Stuart (1991). Aksum: An African Civilisation of Late Antiquity. United Kingdom: Edinburgh University Press. pp. 13 and 205–206. ISBN 0-7486-0106-6.
  5. ↑ Munro-Hay, Stuart C (2002). Ethiopia, the unknown land : a cultural and historical guide. London ; New York : I.B. Tauris. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-86064-744-4.
  6. ↑ Plant, Ruth (1985). Architecture of the Tigre, Ethiopia. Worcester: Ravens Educational & Development Services Ltd. p. 95. ISBN 0-947895-00-0.
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