History of the XXVth Dynasty and Nubians

Who assumed the title of pharaoh after the death of his father in 750 B.C.?

What significant event happened under the rule of Tanoutamon?

What was the name given to the ruler who had the longest reign among the black pharaohs?

In which biblical text is the Ethiopian Eunuch mentioned?

Which kingdom is identified as the homeland of the Ethiopian Eunuch?

What was a major consequence of Assyria's invasion of Egypt?

How does the portrayal of Nubian warriors in the Bible characterize them?

What role did the Ethiopian Eunuch hold in his society?

What does the title 'kandake' refer to in Nubian society?

What significant document did the Ethiopian man possess?

Which doctrine did Theodora support?

What was the outcome of the Council of Chalcedon in 451 regarding Christ's nature?

What was the state of Christianity in Nubia by the final quarter of the sixth century?

What was the role of Justinian in relation to Christianity in Nubia?

Which three kingdoms emerged in Nubia by the sixth century?

What significant barrier existed when Christianity first spread to Nubia?

The XXVth Dynasty

The XXVth Dynasty was ruled by black pharaohs from Nubia for almost a century.
Piankhi, the son of the previous pharaoh, became the pharaoh of both Upper and Lower Egypt.
The Nubian pharaohs are referenced in the Old Testament, with Isaiah describing their power and strength.
During this period, Nubia gained prominence, with their rulers becoming powerful figures in the region.

The Defeat of the Nubian Pharaohs

The Assyrians invaded Egypt under the rule of Tanoutamon, the nephew of Tirhakah, the last great Nubian pharaoh.
The Assyrians conquered Egypt, taking over the city of Thebes, the home of the Nubian pharaohs.
The Nubians retreated to Nubia and never regained power in Egypt.

The Ethiopian Eunuch

The Ethiopian Eunuch, mentioned in Acts 8:26-40, is a crucial figure in the New Testament as the first undeniably black convert to Christianity.
This individual is described as being a wealthy royal treasurer from Nubia.
The text indicates that he is from Nubia because he is referred to as the treasurer of the "kandake," a title used for the queen mother or a queen reigning in her own right.
This unnamed African is the first black to enter the Christian faith, which occurred centuries before the widespread adoption of Christianity in Nubia itself.

Christianization of Nubia

Nubia became Christian in the 6th century.
The Christianization occurred due to the efforts of Byzantine Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora, who sent missionaries to Nubia.
Theodora supported the Monophysite doctrine, which held that Christ's human nature was absorbed by his divine nature.
Justinian supported the Chalcedonian doctrine, which affirmed the duality of Christ's human and divine natures.
The Nubian kingdom had fragmented into three kingdoms by the 6th century: Nobatia, Makouria, and Alwa.
By the end of the 6th century, both sides of the religious debate had established a presence in Nubia, although the conversion process and its details remain partially unknown.

Explore the rich history of the XXVth Dynasty, ruled by powerful black pharaohs from Nubia. Learn about key figures such as Piankhi and their influence on Egypt, as well as the eventual defeat by the Assyrians. Delve into the significance of the Ethiopian Eunuch in early Christianity.