Ay vs Kaleb of Aksum

Ay ascended the throne after the death of Tutankhamun, whom he had served as vizier. As an elderly man with no direct royal lineage, his accession was unusual and likely involved political maneuvering. He married Tutankhamun's widow, Ankhesenamun, to legitimize his claim, though this marriage was brief.

Ay continued the restoration of traditional Egyptian religion begun under Tutankhamun, reversing the Amarna period's Atenist reforms. He restored temples, reinstated the priesthood of Amun, and issued decrees reaffirming the old gods. This policy helped stabilize the country after the religious upheaval of Akhenaten's reign.

Ay built his tomb (WV23) in the Western Valley of the Kings, a departure from the main valley. The tomb was decorated with scenes showing Ay as pharaoh, including his coronation and interactions with gods. It was later usurped by Horemheb, who erased Ay's name and images, reflecting the damnatio memoriae against him.

After Ay's death, his successor Horemheb systematically erased Ay's name and images from monuments, a practice known as damnatio memoriae. Horemheb claimed credit for Ay's achievements and portrayed himself as the direct successor of Tutankhamun, effectively writing Ay out of official history.

Kaleb of Aksum launched a military expedition across the Red Sea to invade the Himyarite Kingdom in Yemen. The campaign was in response to the persecution of Christians by the Jewish Himyarite king Dhu Nuwas. Kaleb defeated Dhu Nuwas and installed a Christian ruler.

Kaleb exchanged letters with Byzantine Emperor Justin I, coordinating efforts to protect Christians in Arabia. This diplomatic alliance strengthened Aksum's ties with the Byzantine world.

Following the invasion, Kaleb placed a Christian viceroy in Himyar, effectively making it an Aksumite client state. This extended Aksumite control over key Red Sea trade routes for several decades.

After his military campaigns, Kaleb abdicated the throne and retired to a monastery, according to Ethiopian tradition. This act of religious devotion became a model for later Ethiopian kings.