Zemene Mesafint - "Era of the Princes”

Aka “Game of Thrones” Ethiopian Style

 The reign of Iyasu II (1730–1755) brought instability to the empire. Iyasu II ascended the throne as
a child, allowing his mother, Empress Mentewab to play a major role as his Regent from 1723 to
1730. Mentewab had herself crowned as co-ruler in 1730, becoming the first woman to be crowned
in this manner in Ethiopian history. Beyond the capital of Gondar, the Empire suffered from
regional conflict between nationalities that had been part of the Empire for hundreds of years—the
Agaw, Amharans, Showans and Tigreans—and the Oromo newcomers.

 Iyasu II fell seriously ill (possibly due to poison) in May, 1755. Despite the death of her son,
Empress Mentewab tried to maintain her power, causing conflict with her former daughter-in-law,
Wubit, Iyasu's widow, who believed that it was her turn to preside at the court of her own son Iyoas.

 The conflict between these two empresses led to Mentewab summoning her Qwaran relatives and
their forces to Gondar for support. Wubit responded by summoning her own Oromo relatives and
their considerable forces. Mentewab summoned the powerful Mikael Sehul (who was to become
her son-in-law) to mediate the dispute and prevent a bloodbath.

o Upon arriving in Gondar, Mikael was made Ras (a royal title, like a “duke”) by the nobles.
Mentewab had hoped that he would land firmly on her side, but instead Ras Mikael seized
power for himself, and eventually engineered the murder (by strangulation) of Emperor
Iyoas I, at which time Mikael also married the aunt of his victim.

 Empress Mentewab was distraught at the murder of her grandson. She retreated to Qusquam and
buried her grandson there next to her son, refusing to return to the city of Gondar. She lived at her
palace there in seclusion till the end of her life.

 Ras Mickael seizes power for himself and becomes a ruthless puppet master.

May 2019
So . . .
Emperor Reign Details of his Death Fun Fact [s]
Iyasu II 1730-1755 Possible poisoning Son of Mentewab
Iyoas I 1755-1769 Strangled by Ras Grandson of Mentewab
Mikael, the man the
nobility of Ethiopia had
sent to mediate an end
to the conflict between
Mentewab and his
mother.
Yohannes II 7 May – 18 October Poisoned by Ras Mikael Ras Mikael’s choice for
1769 Emperor. Only had one
hand. When Ras Mikael
realized Yohannes II
was too weak (he was
in his 70s) he had him
murdered.
Tekle Haymanot II 18 October 1769 – Dies as a monk after Lost the throne briefly
August 1770 & renouncing the throne. when he and Ras
December 1770 – 13 Mikael left the capital on
April 1777 a military campaign
(see Susenyos II
below).

Witnesses the fall of

Ras Mikael (after he
goes on a rampage to
purge all those who
opposed him – even
slaughtering a troop of
travelling actors who
mocked him).
Susenyos II August 1770 – Hanged for stealing. Ras Mikael returned
December 1770 and deposed this
pretender before
enslaving him (he
worked in the kitchen).
Salomon II 13 April 1777 – 20 July Dies as a monk after Was the focus of a
1779 renouncing the throne. power struggle between
rival factions of nobility.
He lost.

May 2019
Tekle Giyorgis I 1779–1800 Deposed, he dies of Tekle Giyorgis gained
natural causes in the and lost the Imperial
City of Axum. throne five times since
ascending it in 1779.
Salomon III 16 June – 25 July 1799 Dies in captivity. Salomon was deposed
and put into chains by
rival nobles in favour of
Demetros.
Demetros 25 July 1799 – 24 Unknown Demetros was dragged
March 1800 & June to the Royal Palace
1800 – June 1801 against his will where
he was made ruler.
Egwale Seyon June 1801 – 12 June Uknown (he was always Beholdened to the
1818 sickly) powerful nobles, the
emperor – in the words
of historian Henry Salt:
“lived neglected at
Gondar, with a very
small retinue of
servants, and an
income by no means
adequate to the support
of his dignity; so that, as
he possesses neither
wealth, power, nor
influence in the state;
royalty may be
considered, for a time,
almost eclipsed in the
country."
Iyoas II 1818–1821 Unknown Former monk.
Controlled by the
nobles.
Gigar 3 June 1821 – April Deposed and poisoned. Former monk.
1826 & April 1826 – 18 Controlled by the nobles
June 1830 & lived on their
donations. Dwelled in a
small circular house on
the ruins of part of the
palace.
Baeda Maryam III Afew days in April 1826 Unknown Installed by rival nobles
before being deposed.

May 2019
Iyasu IV 18 June 1830 – 18 Unknown Installed and controlled
March 1832 by nobles. Deposed by
rival nobles.
Gebre Krestos 24 March 1832 – 8 June Died of natural causes Deposed and exiled
1832 briefly by his brother.
Returned only to die of
natural causes.
Sahle Dengel Intermittently between Eduard Rüppell, who
1832 and 11 February visited the capital of
1855 Gondar in 1833, stated
that at the time the
Emperor "barely had the
income of an averagely
well-to-do Ethiopian,
and the great princes of
the Tigray, Shoa and
Amhara were unable to
prevent continuous
strife and bloodshed." A
none-entity, he was
deposed in 1855.
Egwale Anbesa 1832 Sahle Dengel cut his Was a wondering monk
head off and mounted it who declared himself
in a tree. emperor.
Yohannes III Intermittently throughout Unknown E. A. Wallis Budge
1840-1851. writes “He was a glutton
and a wine bibber, and
was usually drunk, and
when he was not in his
banquet hall he was in
his harim.”

May 2019
One of the Ethiopian Crowns
May 2019