The Throne of Adulis: Red Sea Wars on the Eve of Islam

Red Sea Wars on the Eve of Islam

Nonfiction, History, Africa, Middle East
Cover of the book The Throne of Adulis: Red Sea Wars on the Eve of Islam by G.W. Bowersock, Oxford University Press, USA
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: G.W. Bowersock ISBN: 9780199333844
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA Publication: March 4, 2013
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: G.W. Bowersock
ISBN: 9780199333844
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Publication: March 4, 2013
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Just prior to the rise of Islam in the sixth century AD, southern Arabia was embroiled in a violent conflict between Christian Ethiopians and Jewish Arabs. Though little known today, this was an international war that involved both the Byzantine Empire, which had established Christian churches in Ethiopia, and the Sasanian Empire in Persia, which supported the Jews in what became a proxy war against its longtime foe Byzantium. Our knowledge of these events derives largely from an inscribed marble throne at the Ethiopian port of Adulis, meticulously described by a sixth-century Christian merchant known as Cosmas Indicopleustes. Using the writings of Cosmas and a wealth of other historical and archaeological evidence from the period, eminent historian G. W. Bowersock carefully reconstructs this fascinating but overlooked chapter in pre-Islamic Arabian history. The flashpoint of the war, Bowersock tells us, occurred when Yusuf, the Jewish king of Himyar, massacred hundreds of Christians living in Najran. The Christian ruler of Ethiopia, Kaleb, urged on by the Byzantine emperor Justin, led a force of 120,000 men across the Red Sea to defeat Yusuf. But when the victorious Kaleb--said to have retired to a monastery-left behind weak leaders in both Ethiopia and Himyar, the Byzantine and Persian empires expanded their activity in the Arabian territory. In the midst of this conflict, a new religion was born, destined to bring a wholly unanticipated resolution to the power struggle in Arabia. The Throne of Adulis vividly recreates the Red Sea world of Late Antiquity, transporting readers back to a remote but pivotal epoch in ancient history, one that sheds light on the collapse of the Persian Empire as well as the rise of Islam.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Just prior to the rise of Islam in the sixth century AD, southern Arabia was embroiled in a violent conflict between Christian Ethiopians and Jewish Arabs. Though little known today, this was an international war that involved both the Byzantine Empire, which had established Christian churches in Ethiopia, and the Sasanian Empire in Persia, which supported the Jews in what became a proxy war against its longtime foe Byzantium. Our knowledge of these events derives largely from an inscribed marble throne at the Ethiopian port of Adulis, meticulously described by a sixth-century Christian merchant known as Cosmas Indicopleustes. Using the writings of Cosmas and a wealth of other historical and archaeological evidence from the period, eminent historian G. W. Bowersock carefully reconstructs this fascinating but overlooked chapter in pre-Islamic Arabian history. The flashpoint of the war, Bowersock tells us, occurred when Yusuf, the Jewish king of Himyar, massacred hundreds of Christians living in Najran. The Christian ruler of Ethiopia, Kaleb, urged on by the Byzantine emperor Justin, led a force of 120,000 men across the Red Sea to defeat Yusuf. But when the victorious Kaleb--said to have retired to a monastery-left behind weak leaders in both Ethiopia and Himyar, the Byzantine and Persian empires expanded their activity in the Arabian territory. In the midst of this conflict, a new religion was born, destined to bring a wholly unanticipated resolution to the power struggle in Arabia. The Throne of Adulis vividly recreates the Red Sea world of Late Antiquity, transporting readers back to a remote but pivotal epoch in ancient history, one that sheds light on the collapse of the Persian Empire as well as the rise of Islam.

More books from Oxford University Press, USA

Cover of the book The Lion's World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Manhattan Projects : The Rise And Fall Of Urban Renewal In Cold War New York by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Debating Same-Sex Marriage by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Heroes:What They Do and Why We Need Them by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Keeping Faith With The Constitution by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Escaping Salem:The Other Witch Hunt of 1692 by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Spirituality for the Skeptic : The Thoughtful Love of Life by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Pink Ribbon Blues: How Breast Cancer Culture Undermines Women's Health by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Oxford American Handbook of Urology by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book The Conscious Mind : In Search of a Fundamental Theory by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book The Great War: A Combat History of the First World War by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book The Vietnam War:A Concise International History by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book The Character of Consciousness by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book The Lupus Book : A Guide For Patients And Their Families by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Late Life Jazz: The Life and Career of Rosemary Clooney by G.W. Bowersock
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy