by
Damien F. Mackey
“Researchers have pointed to the similarities and differences between
the
two great Beta Israel legends mirrored in Ethiopian Christian history,
of the Queen of Sheba and Queen Judith …”.
Shalva Weil
The entirely legendary (supposedly c. 900 AD) Queen of Ethiopia, Gudit (Yodit), or Judith, appears to be a composite of some of the greatest amongst Old Testament women: namely, the Queen of Sheba; Judith; and Esther.
For the similarities with the biblical Judith, of the same name, see e.g. my article:
Judith the
Simeonite and Judith the Semienite
https://www.academia.edu/24416713/Judith_the_Simeonite_and_Judith_the_Semienite
with further biblical extensions noted in:
Judith the
Simeonite and Judith the Semienite. Part Two: So many Old Testament names!
https://www.academia.edu/35236672/Judith_the_Simeonite_and_Judith_the_Semienite._Part_Two_So_many_Old_Testament_names_
But apparently this Gudit also had the name “Esther” (or “Esato”).
Shalva Weil tells of it in her article:
Ethiopian Jewish Women
….
Interestingly,
the greatest legend in Beta Israel annals, after the famous meeting between
Queen Sheba and King Solomon, revolves around a woman, Queen Judith, variously
known as Yodit, Gudit … Esther, Esato (=fire), Ga’wa and Tirda Gabaz. The
Scottish explorer James Bruce, in his Travels to Discover the Source of the
Nile, describes how the beautiful queen Judith, queen [sic] of the Beta Israel,
single-handedly overthrew Christianity [sic] and eliminated most of the Solomonic
royal dynasty [sic] based at Aksum.
My comment: The kingdom of
“Aksum” that figures in both the fictitious history of Gudit and also of
Mohammed, seems to be replaceable in each case with the ancient kingdom of
Assyria.
Assyria is, of course, fully
relevant to the Book of Judith drama.
In
its place, she established a Jewish dynasty, which ruled for several
generations (Bruce 1790: 451–453).
My comment: That is because
the fictitious Gudit is based on a real “Jewish” person, namely, Judith of
Bethulia.
Researchers
have pointed to the similarities and differences between the two great Beta
Israel legends mirrored in Ethiopian Christian history, of the Queen of Sheba
and Queen Judith (Kaplan 1992). Both women were perceived to be extremely
powerful royal figures. Both were depicted as converts to Judaism. Both led the
Jews against the evil Christians; both were considered to be victorious.
However, while according to the Ethiopian text Kebra Negest, the Queen of Sheba
established the Solomonic dynasty by having relations with King Solomon against
her will, Queen Judith is depicted as the one who destroyed that same lineage.
According to Salamon: “The Jewish woman leader in Ethiopia [sic] may symbolize…
the potential for power castration of the dominant group at the hands of the
minority” (1999:127 fn.10). ….
My comment: All great
fiction!
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