Sofya of Axum facts for kids
Sofya was a powerful woman from the 4th century. She was a queen and later a ruler for her young son in the ancient Kingdom of Axum. Axum was an important empire located in what is now Ethiopia and Eritrea. Sofya played a key role in its history during a time of change.
Queen and Regent of Axum
Sofya was the wife of King Ella Amida, who was also known as Ousanas. As the king's wife, she was known as the queen consort. This means she was queen because she was married to the king.
Becoming a Regent
Around the year 330 AD, King Ella Amida passed away. Sofya became a widow, meaning her husband had died. Their son, Ezana of Axum, was next in line to become king. However, Ezana was still a child and too young to rule on his own.
Because her son was so young, Sofya took on the important role of regent. A regent is someone who rules a country when the king or queen is too young or unable to rule themselves. Sofya governed the Kingdom of Axum until her son Ezana was old enough to take full control. This made her one of the powerful women rulers of her time.
The Kingdom of Axum
The Kingdom of Axum was a very important and wealthy empire. It was known for its trade routes, connecting Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean Sea. Axum was also famous for its tall stone monuments called stelae and for being one of the first states to adopt Christianity. Sofya's time as regent was a period when the kingdom was strong and growing.
