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 Integrative Oncology by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri : Volume 3: Paradiso by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Emotional Processing of Traumatic Experiences Therapist Guide by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book The Power Surge: Energy, Opportunity, and the Battle for America's Future by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Exorbitant Privilege:The Rise and Fall of the Dollar and the Future of the International Monetary System by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Armageddon Averted : Soviet Collapse, 1970-2000 by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book The Founding Fathers Reconsidered by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book OK:The Improbable Story of America's Greatest Word by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Hard Times by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Real Enemies : Conspiracy Theories And American Democracy, World War I To 9/11 by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Helping Children with Selective Mutism and Their Parents:A Guide for School-Based Professionals by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Critical Theory:A Very Short Introduction by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848 by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book Rome:An Empire's Story by G.W. Bowersock
Cover of the book The Nature of Design : Ecology, Culture, and Human Intention 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