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Questions and Answers
What was the main reason for the downfall of the Zagwe Dynasty?
Who founded the 'Solomonic' dynasty?
What marked the beginning of the Ethiopian Medieval Period?
What is the name of the 14th-century book that enshrined the legend of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon?
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How long did the 'Solomonic' dynasty last?
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What was the claim of King Yikuno Amlak and his followers?
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What was the capital of the Christian highland kingdom initially shifted to from Lalibela in Lasta?
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What characterized the Christian state during the medieval period?
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Who was the king responsible for vigorous territorial expansion of the Christian highland kingdom?
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What was the relationship like between the Christian highland kingdom and neighboring states and peoples during the early years?
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What was the result of the territorial expansion of the Christian highland kingdom?
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What accompanied the large-scale territorial expansion of the Christian highland kingdom?
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Study Notes
Restoration of the "Solomonic" Dynasty
- The Zagwe Dynasty fell due to opposition from its tributary region of Amhara, which consisted of present-day southern Wollo and northern Shewa.
- Around 1270, the Amhara ruling classes took power away from the Zagwe, and a local ruler named Yikuno Amlak founded the "Solomonic" dynasty.
- The "Solomonic" dynasty marked the beginning of the Ethiopian Medieval Period (1270-1855).
- Yikuno Amlak claimed descent from the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon through the last Aksumite king, Dil Naod, to justify his legitimacy.
- The legend was used to show that the Zagwe rulers were "illegitimate" to the political power.
- The new dynasty was influential, and its claim was generally accepted by the people.
- The "Solomonic" dynasty lasted for over 700 years, with all monarchs claiming descent from Yikuno Amlak's family.
The Christian Highland Kingdom
- The capital of the Christian highland kingdom was shifted from Lalibela in Lasta to the area of Lake Hayk in Medieval Amhara.
- The Christian state gradually shifted its center to Shewa, with a characteristic of "moving" or "roving" capitals.
- Territorial expansion was a basic feature of the Christian highland kingdom, particularly since the early 14th century.
- The kingdom had trade relations and slow expansion of the Christian Church with neighboring states and peoples.
- King Amde Tsiyon (r. 1314-44) started vigorous territorial expansion, leading to a long period of conflict and war in the Ethiopian region and the Horn of Africa.
- The influence of the Christian state in the Ethiopian region was strong in the later centuries, until it relapsed in the early 16th century.
- The large-scale territorial expansion of the Christian highland kingdom was accompanied by the further expansion of the Orthodox Church.
- The Church expanded into Shewa, Gojam, Begemdir, and the region around Lake Tana during the successors' tenure.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the restoration of the Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia, including the fall of the Zagwe dynasty and the rise of Yikuno Amlak to power.
