Zagwe dynasty: Map & History
The Zagwe dynasty was a medieval Agaw monarchy that ruled the northern parts of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
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The Zagwe dynasty was a medieval Agaw monarchy that ruled the northern parts of Ethiopia and Eritrea. It ruled large parts of the territory from approximately 1137 to 1270 AD, when the last Zagwe King Za-Ilmaknun was killed in battle by the forces of the Amhara King Yekuno Amlak. The Zagwe are most famous for their king Gebre Meskel Lalibela, who is credited with having ordered the construction of the rock-hewn monolithic churches of Lalibela.
Zagwe dynasty in Depth
History
According to one tradition, around 960, Queen Gudit destroyed the remnants of the Kingdom of Aksum, causing a shift in its temporal power centre that later regrouped more to the south. For 40 years she ruled over what remained of the kingdom, eventually passing on the throne to her descendants, with Mara marrying the daughter of the last king of Aksum, Dil Na'od. According to other Ethiopian traditional accounts, the last of her dynasty was overthrown by Mara Takla Haymanot in 1137. Still more, according to another tradition, Mara was born in the province of Lasta, which was his power base. Originally a general of Dil Na'od, whose daughter Masoba Warq became his wife, Mara overthrew his father-in-law to found the new dynasty.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Zagwe dynasty (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Zagwe dynasty: Key Facts
| Capital | Lalibela |
|---|---|
| Official language | Agaw |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Founded | 900 CE |
| Dissolved | 1270 |
Facts from Wikidata Q140446 (CC0).
Zagwe dynasty Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Zagwe dynasty appears, with the other states of the time.
Zagwe dynasty Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 14,454 km² in 1266 CE.
Zagwe dynasty: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Zagwe dynasty exist?
The Zagwe dynasty is dated to 947 CE – 1271 CE, in the Early Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of the Zagwe dynasty?
The capital of the Zagwe dynasty was Adefa.
How large was the Zagwe dynasty at its peak?
At its peak in 1266 AD the Zagwe dynasty covered about 14,454 km².
How did the map of the Zagwe dynasty change over time?
The Zagwe dynasty appears on 3 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1000 CE to 1200 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
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