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- Title
?In the Power of God Christ?: Greek inscriptional evidence for the anti-Arian theology of Ethiopia's first Christian king.
- Abstract
AbstractFour fourth-century adinscriptions of Ezana, first Christian king of Aksum (Ethiopia), are surveyed, with special attention to Ezana's only known post-conversion inscription, written in Greek. Greek syntax and terminology in Ezana's inscription point to an anti-Arian Christology which may be associated with Frumentius, first bishop of Aksum, and his connection with Athanasius of Alexandria. The inscription's trinitarian formula ?the power of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit? is structured in such a way as to assert the identity of the three members of the Trinity. The phrase ?in the power of God Christ? further equates Christ with God. This christological language stands in contrast to the Arian imperial policy of the time, and is historically significant in light of Constantius's attempt to force Frumentius's recall to Alexandria. This inscription serves as the first internal documentary evidence for an anti-Arian Christology in the earliest developments of Ethiopian Christianity.
- Subjects
ETHIOPIA; KINGS &; rulers; INSCRIPTIONS; CHRISTOLOGY; POWER (Christian theology); GREEK language; ATHANASIUS, Saint, Patriarch of Alexandria, d. 373; HOLY Spirit; SYNTAX (Grammar)
- Publication
Bulletin of the School of Oriental & African Studies, 2008, Vol 71, Issue 1, p93
- ISSN
0041-977X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1017/S0041977X08000062