Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

Coptic	Rendering	Count	First
no glossary terms recorded

LIT7447AbrTarWA:1 · narrativemedium

Source

The following textparts and division is taken from and . Attribution to the author by the translator. በስመ፡ እግዚአብሔር፡ መሐሪ፡ ወመስተሣህል። ንጽሕፍ፡ መጽሐፈ፡ ታሪክ፡ ዘአስተጋብአ፡ ጊዮርጊስ፡ ወልደ፡ አሚድ ። Summary on the creation ይቤ፡ ከመ፡ ቃለ፡ ኦሪት፡ በዕለተ፡ እሑድ፡ ፈጠረ፡ እግዚአብሔር፡ ፰ ስውራተ፡ ፬ ነቢብ፡ ወ፯ በአርምሞ። ወበዕለተ፡ ሳብዕት፡ አዕረፈ፡ እግዚአብሔር፡ እምኵሉ፡ ግብሩ። The pre-Islamic history from to . 1st Generation - Adam ወወለዶ፡ አዳም፡ ቃያልሃ፡ ወአቤልሃ፡ ወሞተ፡ አዳም፡ በ፱፻ወ፴ ዓመት። 2nd Generation - Seth ወበመዋዕሊሁ፡ ሴት። ሐይወ፡ ፪፻ወ፭ ዓመተ፡ ወወለዶ፡ ለሄኖስ። 3rd Generation - Enosh ሂ አ ኖ፡ መገቦሙ፡ ለሕዝቡ፡ ወኮበ፡ ኮኖ፡ ፻፱፻፡ ወወለዶ፡ ለቃይናን፡

English

In the name of the merciful and compassionate God, we write the book of the history which Giyorgis Walda ʾAmid compiled. He says, according to the word of the Torah, on the day of Sunday the Lord created eight things, four elements, and seven in the firmament. And on the day of Sabbath the Lord rested from all his work. And Adam begot Qayalha and ʾAbelha. And Adam died at 930 years. And in the days of Seth, he lived 205 years, and he begot Henos. Henos taught his people, and he lived 1090 years, and he begot Qaynan.

Commentary

structuretextበስመ፡ እግዚአብሔር፡ መሐሪ፡ ወመስተሣህል። ንጽሕፍ፡ መጽሐፈ፡ ታሪክ፡ ዘአስተጋብአ፡ ጊዮርጊስ፡ ወልደ፡ አሚድ ።

The opening formula attributes the compilation to Giyorgis Walda ʾAmid, establishing the work as a compiled history rather than an original composition.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

backgroundtextበዕለተ፡ እሑድ፡ ፈጠረ፡ እግዚአብሔር፡ ፰ ስውራተ፡ ፬ ነቢብ፡ ወ፯ በአርምሞ።

The summary of creation (eight things, four elements, seven in the firmament) reflects a cosmological schema common in Ethiopic Christian chronography, not directly from the biblical account.

scripturetextቃለ፡ ኦሪት፡

The phrase 'word of the Torah' signals that the creation account is presented as derived from the Pentateuch, though the specific enumeration (eight things, etc.) is extra-biblical.

datingtextወሞተ፡ አዳም፡ በ፱፻ወ፴ ዓመት።

Adam's death at 930 years follows the Septuagint-based chronology (Gen 5:5 LXX), standard in Ethiopic tradition.

termtextቃያልሃ፡ ወአቤልሃ፡

The names 'Qayalha' and 'ʾAbelha' are Ethiopic forms of Cain and Abel; the suffix -ha may reflect a possessive or dual ending, but the exact reading is uncertain.

cautiontextሂ አ ኖ፡ መገቦሙ፡ ለሕዝቡ፡ ወኮበ፡ ኮኖ፡ ፻፱፻፡

The lifespan of Henos (Enosh) is given as 1090 years, which is anomalous; the standard Septuagint figure is 905 years. This may be a scribal error or a variant tradition.

Open questions · 2

The name 'Qayalha' for Cain is unusual; the standard Ethiopic form is ቃየል (Qayel). The suffix -ha may be a scribal addition or a variant.
The lifespan of Henos (1090 years) conflicts with the Septuagint (905 years) and may be a corruption or a different textual tradition.

LIT7447AbrTarWA:2 · narrativehigh

Source

4th Generation - Kenan ፬። ቃይናን፡ ሐ ሕ ይወ፡ ፻ወ፸፡ ዓ፡ ወወለዶ፡ ለመላልኢል፡ 5th Generation - Mahalalel መላልኤል፡፷፭፻ ሐ ሕ ይወ፡ ፻ወ፷ወ፭፡ ዓ፡ ወወለዶ፡ ለያሬድ። 6th Generation - Jared ያሬድ፡ ፯ ሐ ሕ ይወ። ፻፷ወ፭። ዓመ፡ ወ ወለዶ፡ ለሂኖስ። 7th Generation - Enoch ሂኖክ ፯ መገቦሙ፡ ለሕዝቡ፡ ወባም፻፷፭ ዓ። 8th Generation - Methuselah ማቱሳላ ፰ ሐ ሕ ይወ፡ ፻፹ወ፪ ዓ፡ ወወልዶ፡ ለላሚኅ። 9th Generation - Lamech ባሚህ፱ ሐ ሕ ይወ፡ ፻፹ወ፪ ዓ፡ ወወልዶ። ወወልዶ፡ ለኖኅ፡ 10th Generation - Noah ኖኅ ሐ ሕ ይወ፡ ፬፻፴፬ ዓ፡ ወወለዶ፡ ለሲም፡ 11th Generation - Shem ሴም፲፬ ሐ ሕ እምድኅረ፡ አይኅ፡ ፪፻፡ ዓ ወ ወልዶ፡ ለአርፋክስድ፡ 12th Generation - Arpachshad አርፉክስድ፲ወ፻ ሐ ሕ ፻ወ፴ወ፭ዓ። ወወለዶ፡ ለቃይናን።

English

4th Generation — Kenan: 4. He lived 170 years, and he begot Mahalalel. 5th Generation — Mahalalel: 5. He lived 165 years, and he begot Jared. 6th Generation — Jared: 6. He lived 162 years, and he begot Enoch. 7th Generation — Enoch: 7. He taught his people, and he lived 365 years. 8th Generation — Methuselah: 8. He lived 182 years, and he begot Lamech. 9th Generation — Lamech: 9. He lived 182 years, and he begot Noah. 10th Generation — Noah: He lived 434 years, and he begot Shem. 11th Generation — Shem: 11. He lived after the flood 200 years, and he begot Arpachshad. 12th Generation — Arpachshad: 12. He lived 135 years, and he begot Kenan.

Commentary

structuretext

This passage continues the genealogical list from Adam to Noah and beyond, following the pattern of the previous passage. Each generation is numbered and gives the patriarch's age and his son.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

datingtext

The ages given (e.g., Kenan 170, Mahalalel 165, Jared 162, Enoch 365, Methuselah 182, Lamech 182, Noah 434, Shem 200 after the flood, Arpachshad 135) follow the Septuagint-based chronology common in Ethiopic tradition, not the Masoretic Text.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

termtextሐ ሕ ይወ፡

The Geʿez phrase ሐ ሕ ይወ፡ (ḥa ḥə yəw) is an abbreviation for ሐልወ ሕይወት (ḥalwa ḥəywat), meaning 'duration of life' or 'lifetime'. It introduces the age of each patriarch.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

scripturetextሂኖክ

The entry for Enoch (ሂኖክ) notes that he 'taught his people' (መገቦሙ ለሕዝቡ) and lived 365 years, echoing the biblical tradition (Gen 5:21–24) and the extra-biblical Enochic literature, where he is a teacher and scribe.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

cautiontextባሚህ

The name for Lamech is given as ባሚህ (Bāmih) in the Geʿez, which is a variant spelling of the standard ላሚኅ (Lāmiḫ). The English draft renders it as 'Lamech' but the Geʿez form is unusual and may reflect a scribal error or dialectal variant.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

backgroundtext

The genealogy from Adam to Noah and his sons is a standard feature of Ethiopic world chronicles, derived from the Book of Genesis and the Septuagint. The inclusion of Shem's age 'after the flood' (እምድኅረ አይኅ) reflects a concern with postdiluvian chronology.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

Open questions · 2

The Geʿez text for the 9th generation (Lamech) has a repeated ወወልዶ፡ (wa-walado, 'and he begot'), which may be a scribal duplication. The English draft omits the second instance.
The name ባሚህ for Lamech is ambiguous; it may be a corruption of ላሚኅ or an alternative transliteration.

LIT7447AbrTarWA:3 · narrativemedium

Source

13th Generation - Kenan the second ቃይናን፡ ሕይወ፡ ፻ወ፴ዓ፡ ወወለዶ፡ ለሳላ፡ 14th Generation - Shelah ሐ ሕ ይወ፡ ፻፴ዓ፡ ወወለዶ፡ ለኢዮቦር፡ 15th Generation - Eber Life and language of Eber ሐ ሕ ፻ወ፴፬ዓ። ወወለዶ፡ ለፋሊቅ። Geographical Treatise Margins of inhabited earth The seven climes and their inhabitants Inhabitants of the first clime Inhabitants of the second clime Inhabitants of the third clime Inhabitants of the fourth clime Inhabitants of the fifth clime Inhabitants of the sixth clime Including a description of the Amazons. Inhabitants of the seventh clime

English

13th Generation — Kenan the Second: He lived 170 years, and he begot Shelah. 14th Generation — Shelah: He lived 130 years, and he begot Eber. 15th Generation — Eber: He lived 134 years, and he begot Peleg. Geographical Treatise: The margins of the inhabited earth. The seven climes and their inhabitants. Inhabitants of the first clime. Inhabitants of the second clime. Inhabitants of the third clime. Inhabitants of the fourth clime. Inhabitants of the fifth clime. Inhabitants of the sixth clime, including a description of the Amazons. Inhabitants of the seventh clime.

Commentary

structuretext

The passage shifts abruptly from a genealogical list (generations 13–15) to a geographical treatise on the seven climes, a common structural break in universal chronicles.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

termtextቃይናን፡ ሕይወ፡ ፻ወ፴ዓ፡ ወወለዶ፡ ለሳላ፡

The Geʿez phrase for Kenan the Second records a lifespan of 170 years and the begetting of Shelah, following the pattern of the earlier generations.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

backgroundtext

The seven climes (climata) derive from Hellenistic geography, transmitted through Syriac and Arabic sources into Ethiopic literature, often used to organize world ethnography.

paralleltext

The inclusion of the Amazons in the sixth clime echoes classical and patristic traditions (e.g., Pliny, Isidore of Seville) that locate warrior women at the edges of the known world.

cautiontext

The Geʿez text for Shelah (ሐ ሕ ይወ፡ ፻፴ዓ፡) appears to have a scribal error or abbreviation; the expected lifespan numeral is unclear, and the English draft reads 130 years.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

Notes · 1

checkAutomatic check: the English/source length ratio is outside the usual band for Coptic — a sign that something was dropped or added, not proof that it was.

Open questions · 2

The Geʿez for Shelah's lifespan is partially illegible or abbreviated; the reading of 130 years follows the English draft but is not fully confirmed by the manuscript.
The transition from genealogy to geography is unmarked in the text; the English draft inserts a heading 'Geographical Treatise' that is not explicit in the Geʿez.

LIT7447AbrTarWA:4 · narrativemedium

Source

Inhabitants of the regions above the seventh clime Conclusion on Eber's Life 16th Generation - Peleg 17th Generation - Reu 18th Generation - Serug 19th Generation - Nahor 20th Generation - Terah 21st Generation - Abraham 22nd Generation - Isaac 23rd Generation - Jacob 24th Generation - Levi 25th Generation - Kohath 26th Generation - Amram 27th Generation - Moses Story of the Ethiopian wife of Moses 28th Generation - Joshua 29th Generation - Phinehas 30th Generation - Cushan-Rishathaim 31st Generation - Othniel 32nd Generation - Eglon

English

Inhabitants of the regions above the seventh clime Conclusion on Eber's Life 16th Generation - Peleg 17th Generation - Reu 18th Generation - Serug 19th Generation - Nahor 20th Generation - Terah 21st Generation - Abraham 22nd Generation - Isaac 23rd Generation - Jacob 24th Generation - Levi 25th Generation - Kohath 26th Generation - Amram 27th Generation - Moses Story of the Ethiopian wife of Moses 28th Generation - Joshua 29th Generation - Phinehas 30th Generation - Cushan-Rishathaim 31st Generation - Othniel 32nd Generation - Eglon

Commentary

structuretext

This passage transitions from a geographical treatise on the seven climes to a genealogical list from Peleg to Moses, then includes a narrative digression on Moses' Ethiopian wife before resuming the list to Eglon.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

backgroundexternal

The 'Story of the Ethiopian wife of Moses' is a known apocryphal tradition, possibly derived from Numbers 12:1 or later Jewish and Christian legends, and is inserted here as a narrative interlude.

datingtext

The genealogy follows the biblical line from Peleg (Gen 10:25) to Moses (Exod 2:1-10), but the inclusion of Cushan-Rishathaim and Othniel (Judges 3:8-11) extends the list into the period of the Judges, indicating a harmonized chronology.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

cautiontext

The phrase 'Inhabitants of the regions above the seventh clime' is ambiguous; it may refer to a mythical or extra-cosmic region, or be a scribal error for a missing clime description.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

receptionexternal

The inclusion of the Ethiopian wife of Moses reflects a tradition popular in Ethiopic Christian literature, possibly influenced by the Kebra Nagast or other local hagiographies.

Open questions · 2

The phrase 'Inhabitants of the regions above the seventh clime' is unclear; it may be a fragment of a lost geographical description or a scribal interpolation.
The transition from the geographical treatise to the genealogy is abrupt, possibly indicating a lacuna or editorial join.

LIT7447AbrTarWA:5 · narrativehigh

Source

33rd Generation - Ehud 34th Generation - Shamgar 35th Generation - Jabin 36th Generation - Deborah 37th Generation - Zebah and Zalmunna 38th Generation - Gideon 39th Generation - Abimelech 40th Generation - Tola 41st Generation - Jair 42nd Generation - Philistines 43rd Generation - Jephthah 44th Generation - Ibzan 45th Generation - Elon 46th Generation - Abdon son of Hillel 47th Generation - Philistines 48th Generation - Samson 49th Generation - Micah 50th Generation - Eli 51st Generation - Samuel 52nd Generation - Saul

English

33rd Generation - Ehud 34th Generation - Shamgar 35th Generation - Jabin 36th Generation - Deborah 37th Generation - Zebah and Zalmunna 38th Generation - Gideon 39th Generation - Abimelech 40th Generation - Tola 41st Generation - Jair 42nd Generation - Philistines 43rd Generation - Jephthah 44th Generation - Ibzan 45th Generation - Elon 46th Generation - Abdon son of Hillel 47th Generation - Philistines 48th Generation - Samson 49th Generation - Micah 50th Generation - Eli 51st Generation - Samuel 52nd Generation - Saul

Commentary

structuretext

This passage continues the generational list from the previous passage, covering generations 33 through 52. The list includes judges, kings, and peoples from the biblical book of Judges and 1 Samuel.

backgroundtext

The sequence follows the biblical chronology of the Judges of Israel, with some figures (e.g., Ehud, Deborah, Gideon) and some collective entries (e.g., Philistines) representing periods of oppression or conflict.

scripturetext

The list draws on the Book of Judges (e.g., Ehud in Judges 3:15–30, Deborah in Judges 4–5, Gideon in Judges 6–8) and 1 Samuel (Eli, Samuel, Saul). The inclusion of Philistines as a generation reflects the biblical pattern of foreign oppressors.

cautiontext

The list omits several judges mentioned in the biblical text (e.g., Abimelech is included but not the intervening minor judges). The rationale for selection is unclear and may reflect a specific source or abridgment strategy.

Open questions · 2

The list includes 'Philistines' as a generation (42nd and 47th), which is unusual; it may represent a period of Philistine dominance rather than a single ruler.
The transition from the previous passage (ending with Moses) to Ehud (33rd generation) skips the period of Joshua and the elders, leaving a gap in the chronology.

LIT7447AbrTarWA:6 · narrativehigh

Source

53rd Generation - David 54th Generation - Solomon 55th Generation - Rehoboam 56th Generation - Abijah 57th Generation - Asa 58th Generation - Jehoshaphat 59th Generation - Joram 60th Generation - Ahaziah 61st Generation - Athaliah 62nd Generation - Joash 63rd Generation - Amaziah 64th Generation - Uzziah 65th Generation - Jotham 66th Generation - Ahaz 67th Generation - Hezekiah 68th Generation - Manasseh 69th Generation - Amon 70th Generation - Josiah 71st Generation - Jehoahaz 72nd Generation - Joakim 73rd Generation - Joachin

English

53rd Generation - David 54th Generation - Solomon 55th Generation - Rehoboam 56th Generation - Abijah 57th Generation - Asa 58th Generation - Jehoshaphat 59th Generation - Joram 60th Generation - Ahaziah 61st Generation - Athaliah 62nd Generation - Joash 63rd Generation - Amaziah 64th Generation - Uzziah 65th Generation - Jotham 66th Generation - Ahaz 67th Generation - Hezekiah 68th Generation - Manasseh 69th Generation - Amon 70th Generation - Josiah 71st Generation - Jehoahaz 72nd Generation - Joakim 73rd Generation - Joachin

Commentary

structuretext

This passage continues the regnal list from the 53rd to the 73rd generation, covering the kings of Judah from David to Jehoiachin (Joachin). The list follows the biblical sequence in 1–2 Kings and 1–2 Chronicles.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

backgroundbackground

The list of Judahite kings from David to Jehoiachin is a standard element in Ethiopic world chronicles, derived from the biblical books of Kings and Chronicles. The inclusion of Athaliah (61st generation) as a ruler reflects her de facto reign, though she was a usurper.

termtextJoachin

The name 'Joachin' (73rd generation) corresponds to Jehoiachin, king of Judah, who reigned for three months before being taken captive to Babylon. The spelling reflects the Geʿez adaptation of the biblical name.

datingtext

The generations from David to Jehoiachin span approximately 400 years (c. 1010–597 BCE) according to conventional biblical chronology. The list omits the divided kingdom period for Israel, focusing solely on the Judahite line.

Open questions · 1

The list does not specify the source for the generation numbering; it may derive from a chronographic tradition such as that of Eusebius or Julius Africanus. The spelling 'Joachin' for Jehoiachin is a variant found in Ethiopic manuscripts.

LIT7447AbrTarWA:7 · narrativemedium

Source

74th Generation - Manasseh (= Mattaniah) Zedekiah 75th Generation - Nebuchadnezzar 76th Generation - Evil-Merodach 77th Generation - Belshazzar 78th and 79th Generation - Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian 80th Generation - Cambyses 81st Generation - Darius I 82nd Generation - Smerdis the Magian 83rd Generation - Ahasuerus (= Xerxes) 84th Generation - Artaxerxes I Longimanus 85th Generation - Artaxerxes II (= Xerxes II) 86th Generation - Sogdianus 87th Generation - Darius II Nothos 88th Generation - Artaxerxes II Mnemon

English

74th Generation - Manasseh (= Mattaniah) Zedekiah 75th Generation - Nebuchadnezzar 76th Generation - Evil-Merodach 77th Generation - Belshazzar 78th and 79th Generation - Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian 80th Generation - Cambyses 81st Generation - Darius I 82nd Generation - Smerdis the Magian 83rd Generation - Ahasuerus (= Xerxes) 84th Generation - Artaxerxes I Longimanus 85th Generation - Artaxerxes II (= Xerxes II) 86th Generation - Sogdianus 87th Generation - Darius II Nothos 88th Generation - Artaxerxes II Mnemon

Commentary

structuretext

This passage continues the king-list format of the preceding generations, now extending from the 74th to the 88th generation. The list moves from biblical kings of Judah (Manasseh/Zedekiah) through Neo-Babylonian and Persian rulers, marking a transition from Israelite to imperial chronology.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

termtextManasseh (= Mattaniah) Zedekiah

The equation of Manasseh with Mattaniah/Zedekiah is historically problematic. In the Hebrew Bible, Manasseh (son of Hezekiah) and Zedekiah (originally Mattaniah, son of Josiah) are distinct kings separated by over a century. The conflation likely reflects a scribal error or a harmonizing tradition in the Ethiopic reception.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

backgroundtext

The sequence from Nebuchadnezzar (75th) to Artaxerxes II Mnemon (88th) follows the standard list of Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid Persian rulers as known from classical and biblical sources, though with some variations (e.g., Smerdis the Magian as a separate generation). This reflects the Chronicler's interest in synchronizing biblical and imperial history.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

paralleltext

The pairing of Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian as a single generation (78th and 79th) echoes the biblical Book of Daniel (Dan 5:31; 6:1), where Darius the Mede precedes Cyrus. This differs from standard Persian history, where Cyrus conquered Babylon and Darius I was a later king.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

datingtext

The list compresses several centuries into 15 generations, with some rulers (e.g., Artaxerxes I and II) spanning decades. The generational numbering is schematic rather than biological, serving a genealogical or typological purpose in the Ethiopic tradition.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

cautiontext

The identification of Ahasuerus with Xerxes (83rd generation) is conventional in biblical studies (cf. Esther), but the equation of Artaxerxes II with Xerxes II (85th generation) is less standard and may reflect a conflation of Persian kings in the Ethiopic source. The text's transmission may have introduced such conflations.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

Open questions · 3

The conflation of Manasseh with Mattaniah/Zedekiah is unexplained; it may be a scribal error or a deliberate harmonization.
The pairing of Darius the Mede and Cyrus as a single generation reflects the Danielic tradition but contradicts standard history.
The equation of Artaxerxes II with Xerxes II is unusual and may indicate a textual corruption or a different source tradition.

LIT7447AbrTarWA:8 · narrativehigh

Source

89th Generation - Artaxerxes III Ochus 90th Generation - Arses 91st Generation - Darius III Codomannus On , the last emperor of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. 92nd Generation - Alexander the Great 93rd Generation - Ptolemy I 94th Generation - Ptolemy II 95th Generation - Ptolemy III 96th Generation - Ptolemy IV 97th Generation - Ptolemy V 98th Generation - Ptolemy VI 99th Generation - Ptolemy VII 100th Generation - Ptolemy VIII 101st Generation - Ptolemy IX 102nd Generation - Ptolemy X 103rd Generation - Ptolemy XI 104th Generation - Ptolemy XII

English

89th Generation - Artaxerxes III Ochus 90th Generation - Arses 91st Generation - Darius III Codomannus On , the last emperor of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. 92nd Generation - Alexander the Great 93rd Generation - Ptolemy I 94th Generation - Ptolemy II 95th Generation - Ptolemy III 96th Generation - Ptolemy IV 97th Generation - Ptolemy V 98th Generation - Ptolemy VI 99th Generation - Ptolemy VII 100th Generation - Ptolemy VIII 101st Generation - Ptolemy IX 102nd Generation - Ptolemy X 103rd Generation - Ptolemy XI 104th Generation - Ptolemy XII

Commentary

structuretext

This passage continues the regnal list from the 89th to the 104th generation, covering the late Achaemenid rulers and the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

backgroundtext

The list transitions from Persian to Macedonian rule after Alexander the Great's conquest, reflecting the Hellenistic period's political landscape as understood in Ethiopic historiography.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

datingtext

The sequence from Artaxerxes III (r. 358–338 BCE) to Ptolemy XII (r. 80–51 BCE) spans roughly three centuries, though the generational numbering is schematic rather than strictly historical.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

cautiontext

The English draft contains an incomplete sentence 'On , the last emperor...' which likely reflects a lacuna or editorial omission in the Geʿez source; the intended subject is Darius III.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

Open questions · 2

The Geʿez text may have a lacuna after 'On' in the entry for Darius III; the English draft reproduces this without resolution.
The generational numbering (89th–104th) is conventional and may not correspond to actual biological generations.

LIT7447AbrTarWA:9 · narrativemedium

Source

105th Generation - Ptolemy XIII 106th Generation - Cleopatra 107th Generation - Augustus Caesar 108th Generation - Tiberius Birth of Christ 109th Generation - Caius 111th Generation - Galba 112th Generation - Vitellius 113th Generation - Vespasian 114th Generation - Titus 115th Generation - Domitian 116th Generation - Trajan 117th Generation - Hadrian 118th Generation - Antoninus Pius Marcus Aurelius Commodus Pertinax Referred to as Faqitabǝkos in . Septimius Severus? Referred to as Faqitabǝkos in . Antonius Caracalla

English

105th Generation - Ptolemy XIII 106th Generation - Cleopatra 107th Generation - Augustus Caesar 108th Generation - Tiberius Birth of Christ 109th Generation - Caius 111th Generation - Galba 112th Generation - Vitellius 113th Generation - Vespasian 114th Generation - Titus 115th Generation - Domitian 116th Generation - Trajan 117th Generation - Hadrian 118th Generation - Antoninus Pius Marcus Aurelius Commodus Pertinax Referred to as Faqitabǝkos in . Septimius Severus? Referred to as Faqitabǝkos in . Antonius Caracalla

Commentary

structuretext

The passage continues the regnal list from the 105th to the 118th generation, but the numbering skips from 109th to 111th, omitting the 110th generation without explanation.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

datingtext

The 'Birth of Christ' is inserted between Tiberius (108th generation) and Caius (109th generation), reflecting a Christian historiographical framework that dates events relative to the Incarnation.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

termtextFaqitabǝkos

The name 'Faqitabǝkos' appears twice, once for Pertinax and again for Septimius Severus, suggesting a scribal confusion or a shared epithet; the Geʿez form likely derives from a Greek or Coptic source.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

backgroundtext

The list of Roman emperors from Augustus to Caracalla follows the standard succession, but the inclusion of Pertinax and Septimius Severus with the same epithet indicates possible conflation in the Ethiopic tradition.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

cautiontext

The passage omits the 110th generation and includes a question mark after 'Septimius Severus?', indicating uncertainty in the manuscript tradition about the correct identification or numbering.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

Open questions · 1

The identity of the 110th generation is missing; the epithet 'Faqitabǝkos' is applied to two different emperors, possibly due to scribal error or a shared title.

LIT7447AbrTarWA:10 · narrativehigh

Source

Macrinus Antoninus Elagabalus Severus Alexander Maximinus Thrax Norinos (?) Gordian Philip the Arab Decius Trebonianus Gallus Valerian Claudius Gothicus Aurelian Tacitus Probus Carus Diocletian Maximian Constanine I the Great Constantine II (?) Julian Jovian Valentinian Valens (?) Gratian Theodosius I the Great Legend of the Seven Sleepers Account of the council of Constantinopel Arcadius Theodosius II Marcian Leo I the Thracian Leo II the Younger Zeno Anastasius I Dicorus Justin I Justinian I Justin II

English

Macrinus Antoninus Elagabalus Severus Alexander Maximinus Thrax Norinos (?) Gordian Philip the Arab Decius Trebonianus Gallus Valerian Claudius Gothicus Aurelian Tacitus Probus Carus Diocletian Maximian Constanine I the Great Constantine II (?) Julian Jovian Valentinian Valens (?) Gratian Theodosius I the Great Legend of the Seven Sleepers Account of the council of Constantinopel Arcadius Theodosius II Marcian Leo I the Thracian Leo II the Younger Zeno Anastasius I Dicorus Justin I Justinian I Justin II

Commentary

structuretextMacrinus … Justin II

This passage continues the king-list format of the β-recension, presenting Roman and Byzantine emperors from Macrinus (r. 217–218) to Justin II (r. 565–578). The list is interrupted by two non-imperial entries: the Legend of the Seven Sleepers and the Account of the Council of Constantinople.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

datingtextLegend of the Seven Sleepers

The insertion of the Seven Sleepers legend (a tale of youths who slept in a cave for centuries) at this point in the list is chronologically anomalous. In the β-recension it likely serves as a theological or moral interlude rather than a precise historical marker.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

backgroundtextAccount of the council of Constantinopel

This entry refers to the First Council of Constantinople (381 CE), a key ecumenical council that affirmed the Nicene Creed and condemned Arianism. Its inclusion reflects the chronicle’s interest in church history alongside imperial succession.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

termtextNorinos (?)

The name 'Norinos' is uncertain; it may be a corruption of a Roman emperor name (possibly a garbled form of 'Nero' or 'Nerva') or a scribal error. The question mark in the edition indicates the editor’s uncertainty.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

receptiontextConstantine II (?)

The entry 'Constantine II (?)' is ambiguous: it could refer to Constantine II (r. 337–340), son of Constantine the Great, or to a later emperor. The question mark suggests the chronicler or editor was unsure of the identification.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

cautiontextValens (?)

The entry 'Valens (?)' is marked with a question mark, indicating uncertainty. Valens (r. 364–378) is a known emperor, but the chronicle may have confused him with another ruler or the name may be a scribal variant.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

Open questions · 3

The identity of 'Norinos' is unclear; it may be a corruption or a misidentified emperor.
The entry 'Constantine II (?)' is ambiguous; it may refer to Constantine II (son of Constantine I) or to a later figure.
The entry 'Valens (?)' is uncertain; the question mark may indicate a scribal error or confusion with another emperor.

LIT7447AbrTarWA:11 · narrativehigh

Source

Tiberius II Constantine Maurice Phocas Heraclius

English

Tiberius II Constantine Maurice Phocas Heraclius

Commentary

structuretext

This passage is a bare list of four Byzantine emperors: Tiberius II Constantine, Maurice, Phocas, and Heraclius. It continues the serial imperial chronology that dominates the β-recension of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

datingtext

The sequence runs from Tiberius II Constantine (r. 578–582) to Heraclius (r. 610–641), covering the late sixth and early seventh centuries. The list omits intervening figures such as Phocas’s predecessor Maurice (r. 582–602) is included, but the order is correct.

backgroundtext

Heraclius is the last emperor named before the work’s narrative likely shifts to the Islamic conquests. His reign marks the end of the Roman–Persian wars and the beginning of the Arab expansion, a pivotal transition for the Christian East.

cautiontext

The Geʿez text provides only names without regnal years or events. The English draft reproduces the list verbatim. No additional context is given in the source edition for these four entries.

betmas: Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

Open questions · 1

The Geʿez text does not indicate whether the list is meant as a complete imperial succession or a selective summary. No regnal durations or narrative details are supplied.

Abridged Version of the Tārika Walda ʾAmid (β-recension)

Summary

Historical context

Annotation and terms

Pipeline notes

Term index