The Mighty Queen Gudit
The land of Israel is an ancient land which has seen change of various civilizations and cultures. It’s an important seat of religion and culture in the world. While we are told that Jews have only suffered and vindicated since the last millennium, there have been various queens and kings which have stood up to persecution of Jews and saved their self-respect and culture. Originally, the seat of Canaanite religion and then Phoenician religion in Levant came the Jews with Hebrews who believed the land of Israel is given to them by their God and they shall be protected there.
The Aksumite Dynasty was an ancient kingdom that existed in what is now Ethiopia and Eritrea from approximately 100 AD to 940 AD. The Aksumite kingdom was centered around the city of Aksum (also known as Axum) and was one of the most powerful and prosperous states in the ancient world.
The Aksumite Dynasty was known for its impressive architecture, sophisticated trading network, and complex religious beliefs. The kingdom is perhaps best known for its towering obelisks, which still stand in Aksum today and are considered some of the most impressive structures of the ancient world.
The Aksumite Dynasty was also one of the first states to adopt Christianity as its official religion, with the ruler Ezana converting in the 4th century AD. This made the Aksumite kingdom an important center of Christian culture and scholarship in the ancient world.
Queen Gudit was born in Israel in an unimportant family and was of Hebrew descent, she exuded a confidence which enhanced her natural beauty. She was marginalized in the Christian Axumite kingdom because of the incessant missionary movement against people of non-Christian origins. However due to little documentation of the events in Israel regarding her early life. This goes on to show little respect in achievements of women as historical regards of women who were of influence in history, an example of the dominant patriarchal society in West. The missionaries in the name of love of God used to share the message of Church with people, trying to spread the faith and convert all non-Christians. Those who refused to convert were considered sinful and were marginalized since they chose to pray the way they wanted. However there is no evidence for state prosecution of non-Christians, the state enabled a system of Christian missionaries who would convert and destroy other cultures and there was systematic social persecution involved due to this. The Church gave certain facilities and help which was limited to Christians and those who would convert. The missionaries often spread negativity against non- Christian groups signifying how the faith of Christ is better.
One of the folk stories which signifies the revolt against the church by a young Gudit is that she told a friend of hers to bring her a piece of the cover of Tabot, with which she made a shoe and showed the World. She was prosecuted by church for blasphemy, her right breast was severed and cut.
She howled in horror and terror, being a young woman. She was later sold after being molested in middle east. However the man she was sold to fell in love with her and was also the son of king of Syria at that time. She along with her husband was able to raid the greater Aksumite empire and took justice from her wrongdoers. The story of Queen Judit is the story of bravery, love and resilience in foreign rule. It should be celebrated and remembered as such by people across the world.
