“BEYOND THE RIVERS OF ETHIOPIA”: ETHNO-POLITICAL RHETORICS DEFINING INSIDERS AND OUTSIDERS

In the previous two chapters, I explored ethno-political rhetorics about Egyptians/Egypt, Ethiopians/Ethiopia, and Blacks/blackness that associated these groups with sinful activities and sexual vices. These ethnic groups, geographical locations, and color symbols were also associated with groups deemed heretical within early Christianity, and were used to symbolize the virtuous or ideal model for early Christians. In this chapter, I examine examples representing both streams of these traditions.