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Yekuno Amlak

Type Figure Region Ethiopia Time c. 1200–1285 Also known as Yekuno Amlak、Yekunno Amlak、እኵኖ አምላክ

Founding monarch of Ethiopia's Solomonic dynasty; of Amhara local noble origin, he long opposed the Zagwe dynasty, around 1270 defeated its last rule…

Timeline

  1. c. 1220–1269Amhara · AmharaUnder Zagwe rule, Yekuno Amlak based himself in Amhara organizing armed forces, allying with local churches and nobles to continuously challenge Zagwe power, accumulating strength for the eventual dynastic change.
  2. 1270–1285Amba Geshen · EthiopiaAround 1270 he defeated the last Zagwe ruler, completed the transfer of power near Amba Geshen and was crowned, claiming Solomonic-Sheban descent, rebuilding central royal authority with orthodox Christianity as its ideological pillar, and beginning the Solomonic dynasty's long reign.

Sources