Nobatia, Makuria and Alodia were the three medieval Christian kingdoms of Nubia. However Makuria which was in the middle annexed Nobatia to its north during the 7th century. Christianity in Nobatia was Miaphysite and firmly subordinate to the Coptic Church. Makuria was initially Chalcedonic but in the 8th century it officially became Coptic. In the 10th Century Alodia is strong and prosperous. The capital of Alodia is Soba, which is located near the confluence of the White Nile and Blue Nile. It has grown into a major urban center.
In 968 Queen Gudit (aka Yodit) of the pagan Kingdom of Damot attacks and destroys the remnants of the Axumite Empire. Her forces destroy many churches and monasteries. There are Jewish (Beta Israel) communities scattered around Lake Tana and the Simien Mountains. These have suffered persecution at the hands of the Christians. As a result they support Gudit who gives them free rein. As a result some of the Axumites wrongly conclude that Gudit must be Jewish.
POD: In 1009 an Alodian prince named Malachi marries a member of the Axumite royal family named Masoba. In 1016 he succeeds his uncle and ascends to the throne of Alodia. Strongly influenced by Masoba he sends an expeditionary force of cavalry into the Axumite remnant domains the following year. After Queen Gudit died her successor became increasingly complacent about the occupation and has weakened his forces there. As a result these are quickly defeated by the Alodians. Malachi gains considerable prestige and honor with his victory.
It is King Malachi’s intent to present himself to the Axumites as restoring their empire. He soon begins building new churches. He strengthens the weak cultural and commercial ties with Alodia, while suppressing the Jewish enclaves and brigands. In 1018 he installs his 6 year old son David as the new Axumite king, with himself acting as regent. Masoba infuses her son with a strong love for the Axumite people and their traditions. Malachi makes sure that his son understands that he is to be a loyal vassal of Alodia. The rulers of the Axumite Empire had been known as “King of kings” but under Malachi’s restoration they will merely be known as kings. Despite Alodia being matrilineal Malachi declares that the “restored” Axumite monarchy will still be patrilineal.
When the regency is over one of King David’s first official is to announce that the Axumite Empire (which he will soon start calling a "kingdom" instead of an "empire") will pay annual tribute to Alodia though in this he is merely following his father’s instructions. However he soon deviates from his father’s policies by curtailing the persecution of the Jews in exchange for their subservience. In 1033 King David decides to move the Axumite capital back to the city of Aksum which had been relegated to secondary importance for some time.
The outer areas of his domain are loosely defined and weakly controlled. During the 1030’s Damot slowly begins to encroach on the southern Axumite territory. In the spring of 1036 King Malachi arrives at Axum with a strong force of Alodian cavalry. He meets with his son and tells him that he has concluded that Damot remains a threat to the Axumites that must be neutralized. David concurs. He assembles bulk of the Axumite army which joins the Alodian cavalry. Father and son lead this joint expedition which invades Damot. As they approach its capital of Maldarede they fight the enemy’s army in a grueling battle. In the end they prevail but victory comes at a heavy cost. Furthermore a sizable fraction of the Damoti army has managed to retreat. King David was wounded in the battle. He recovers but for the rest of life will walk with a limp. He has impressed his soldiers with his leadership and bravery.
The Axumites gleefully sack Maldarede and burn its temples which they regard as just revenge. David wants to return to Aksum afterwards. His father tells him that will not solve the problem. It is necessary to annex Damot. To achieve that end he must leave two thirds of his army in Damot in order to complete its subjugation. The rest of the Axumite army along with the Alodian cavalry, returns to Aksum. News of their great victory is cause for celebration. King David has now become very popular with his subjects. When the celebration is over, King Malachi heads back to Soba with his cavalry. When he gets there, there is another celebration. During it he announces that the Axumite tribute will be doubled.
In 968 Queen Gudit (aka Yodit) of the pagan Kingdom of Damot attacks and destroys the remnants of the Axumite Empire. Her forces destroy many churches and monasteries. There are Jewish (Beta Israel) communities scattered around Lake Tana and the Simien Mountains. These have suffered persecution at the hands of the Christians. As a result they support Gudit who gives them free rein. As a result some of the Axumites wrongly conclude that Gudit must be Jewish.
POD: In 1009 an Alodian prince named Malachi marries a member of the Axumite royal family named Masoba. In 1016 he succeeds his uncle and ascends to the throne of Alodia. Strongly influenced by Masoba he sends an expeditionary force of cavalry into the Axumite remnant domains the following year. After Queen Gudit died her successor became increasingly complacent about the occupation and has weakened his forces there. As a result these are quickly defeated by the Alodians. Malachi gains considerable prestige and honor with his victory.
It is King Malachi’s intent to present himself to the Axumites as restoring their empire. He soon begins building new churches. He strengthens the weak cultural and commercial ties with Alodia, while suppressing the Jewish enclaves and brigands. In 1018 he installs his 6 year old son David as the new Axumite king, with himself acting as regent. Masoba infuses her son with a strong love for the Axumite people and their traditions. Malachi makes sure that his son understands that he is to be a loyal vassal of Alodia. The rulers of the Axumite Empire had been known as “King of kings” but under Malachi’s restoration they will merely be known as kings. Despite Alodia being matrilineal Malachi declares that the “restored” Axumite monarchy will still be patrilineal.
When the regency is over one of King David’s first official is to announce that the Axumite Empire (which he will soon start calling a "kingdom" instead of an "empire") will pay annual tribute to Alodia though in this he is merely following his father’s instructions. However he soon deviates from his father’s policies by curtailing the persecution of the Jews in exchange for their subservience. In 1033 King David decides to move the Axumite capital back to the city of Aksum which had been relegated to secondary importance for some time.
The outer areas of his domain are loosely defined and weakly controlled. During the 1030’s Damot slowly begins to encroach on the southern Axumite territory. In the spring of 1036 King Malachi arrives at Axum with a strong force of Alodian cavalry. He meets with his son and tells him that he has concluded that Damot remains a threat to the Axumites that must be neutralized. David concurs. He assembles bulk of the Axumite army which joins the Alodian cavalry. Father and son lead this joint expedition which invades Damot. As they approach its capital of Maldarede they fight the enemy’s army in a grueling battle. In the end they prevail but victory comes at a heavy cost. Furthermore a sizable fraction of the Damoti army has managed to retreat. King David was wounded in the battle. He recovers but for the rest of life will walk with a limp. He has impressed his soldiers with his leadership and bravery.
The Axumites gleefully sack Maldarede and burn its temples which they regard as just revenge. David wants to return to Aksum afterwards. His father tells him that will not solve the problem. It is necessary to annex Damot. To achieve that end he must leave two thirds of his army in Damot in order to complete its subjugation. The rest of the Axumite army along with the Alodian cavalry, returns to Aksum. News of their great victory is cause for celebration. King David has now become very popular with his subjects. When the celebration is over, King Malachi heads back to Soba with his cavalry. When he gets there, there is another celebration. During it he announces that the Axumite tribute will be doubled.
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