History Unit 4 (Restoration of Solomonic Dynasty)

The Zagwe dynasty was founded around the mid-12th century by Mera Tekle Haymanot. He was born in the province of Lasta, which was his power base. Originally he was the general of Dil Na’od, the last Aksumite king. He was married to the king’s daughter by the name Page 67 Grade 11 Masobe Worq. Later, Mera Tekle Haymanot overthrew his father-in-law and founded a new ruling family, the Zagwe dynasty (r. 1050-1270). The Zagwe Dynasty made its center in the district of Bugna within Wag and Lasta, at a place called Adafa near Roha (Lalibela). The territory of the Zagwe kingdom extended from most of the highland provinces of the ancient Aksumite kingdom in the north down to northern Shewa in the south; the Lake Tana region and the northern part of what is today Gojjam in the west. The Agaw maintained the ancient Aksumite traditions almost intact. The Zagwe rulers renewed cultural and trade contact with the eastern Mediterranean region. The most important export items were ivory, spices, and slaves while cotton, linen, silver and copper vessels, and newly minted coins were imported. The rulers of the “Solomonic” Dynasty claimed that they were descendants of the last king of Aksum and hence, they were legitimate to take over state power from the “illegitimate” rulers of the Zagwe dynasty. As the claim has no historical evidence, the name “Restoration” is put in quotation mark. Similarly, the name “Solomonic” is placed in quotation marks because the claim of descent from King Solomon of Israel is legendary. The claim has been elaborated in the Kibre Negest (“Glory of Kings”) that associated Ethiopia with the Judeo-Christian tradition. The Kibre Negest claims that Ethiopian ruling class descended from the line of Menilek I, son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of Israel. As a result, Ethiopian monarchs from Yikuno Amlak to Emperor Haile-Silassie I claimed descent from Menilek