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Late-Period Transition of the Zagwe Dynasty in Ethiopia
In the 1240s, the Zagwe dynasty in the Ethiopian Highlands entered its late period: the royal house still maintained Christian orthodoxy and the rock…
Timeline
- 1241–1245Lalibela · LalibelaThe Zagwe royal house's direct control over the highland regions weakened, and local governors and church powers grew more autonomous; the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela still symbolized the dynasty's religious legitimacy, but central authority could no longer unify the Amhara and Tigray nobles.
- 1245–1250Shewa · ShewaNobles such as Yekuno Amlak united local forces in the Shewa region, challenging Zagwe legitimacy with the Solomon-Sheba lineage transmitted in the Kebra Nagast, gradually building military and church alliances in preparation for the future overthrow of the Zagwe.
Sources
- Zagwe dynasty https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zagwe_dynasty
- Yekuno Amlak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yekuno_Amlak
- Solomonic dynasty https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomonic_dynasty