Amda Seyon I facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amda Seyon Iዐምደ ጽዮን |
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| Negusa Nagast | |||||
Amda Seyon I depicted on a 15th century manuscript
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| Emperor of Ethiopia | |||||
| Reign | 1314–1344 | ||||
| Predecessor | Wedem Arad | ||||
| Successor | Newaya Krestos | ||||
| Died | 1344 | ||||
| Spouse | Djan Mangasha | ||||
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| Ge'ez/Amharic | ዐምደ ፡ ጽዮን | ||||
| Amharic | አምደ ፅዮን | ||||
| Dynasty | House of Solomon | ||||
| Father | Wedem Arad | ||||
Amda Seyon I (meaning "Pillar of Zion") was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1314 to 1344. His throne name was Gebre Mesqel. He was a member of the Solomonic dynasty, a line of rulers who claimed to be descendants of King Solomon.
Amda Seyon is famous in history books as a brave warrior. Many people see him as the founder of the Ethiopian Empire. He fought many wars against Muslim kingdoms to the southeast. He won these battles and greatly expanded his kingdom. He slowly added many neighboring states to his empire.
His victories helped spread Christianity in the region. This power lasted for centuries after he died. Amda Seyon made the new Solomonic dynasty very strong. His expansions also helped Christianity reach new areas. This led to a long time of spreading the Christian faith.
According to Edward Ullendorff, a British expert on Ethiopia, Amda Seyon was one of Ethiopia's greatest kings ever. He was a very important leader in the Horn of Africa during the 1300s.
Contents
Early Life of Amda Seyon
Amda Seyon was the son of Wedem Arad. It is not fully known how he became Emperor. There are some clues that he might have been part of a struggle to take the throne.
Early Military Victories
In 1316 or 1317, Emperor Amda Seyon led successful campaigns. He fought against the kingdoms of Damot and Hadiya Kingdom. He conquered Damot first, moving many of its people to new areas. Then he conquered Hadiya, doing the same with its people.
At first, his control over these areas was not strong. But by 1332, Hadiya was fully part of his empire. It even provided soldiers for his campaigns against the Sultanate of Ifat. The King of Hadiya, Amano, refused to pay tribute to the emperor. A local leader encouraged him to rebel.
Amda Seyon was very angry. He invaded Hadiya, capturing Amano and many of his people. This conquest was important for Amda Seyon's goal. He wanted to control the trade routes that Muslims had used for a long time. The conquest of Hadiya affected the slave trade. This hurt the wealth of the eastern Muslim areas. For the first time, the Muslim presence in the region was in danger. This led to Muslim provinces forming alliances against him.
Around the same time, the emperor also campaigned in the northern province of Gojjam.
Northern Campaigns
After his southern campaigns, Amda Seyon focused on the north. He needed to strengthen his control over areas that had become more independent. The northern Tigrayan province of Enderta Province had been trying to rule itself. This had been happening since the Solomonic dynasty returned to power in 1270.
The governor of Enderta, Ya'ibika Igzi, even rebelled. He tried to get the governor of Tembien to join him. Amda Seyon acted quickly. He killed the rebellious governor and divided his titles among others. The new officials were not popular with the people.
To keep control, Amda Seyon set up a military base at Amba Senayata. This was the center of the rebellion. He made his queen consort, Bilén Saba, the governor of Enderta. She ruled with new officials under her. However, the people of Enderta did not like being ruled by people from Amhara. So, the Emperor appointed his son, Bahr Seged, as governor. In 1328, Bahr Seged also gained control of the coastal areas.
In 1329, the Emperor campaigned in the northern provinces. These included Semien, Wegera, Tselemt, and Tsegede. Many people there were converting to Judaism. The Beta Israel community was also growing in importance.
Amda Seyon was also worried about Muslim power along the Red Sea coast. He went to the northern area of Tigray Province near the Red Sea. He said he rode an elephant into the sea and fought his enemies.
During his campaign, the emperor met the famous monk Ewostatewos. The monk was traveling to Armenia.
Rebellion of Sabr ad-Din I
Around 1320, the Sultan in Cairo began to persecute Christians. He also destroyed their churches. Amda Seyon sent a message to Cairo in 1321-2. He threatened to harm Muslims in his kingdom if the persecution did not stop. He even threatened to change the course of the Nile River.
A governor named Haqq ad-Din I of Ifat captured one of the Emperor's messengers. Haqq ad-Din tried to force the messenger to convert to Islam. When he refused, the messenger was killed. The Emperor responded by invading Ifat. He destroyed the capital and took much wealth. Amda Seyon continued to punish other Muslim provinces. He took livestock, killed people, and destroyed towns.
Because of Amda Seyon's actions, other Muslim provinces rebelled. They thought his army was weak from the long campaigns. The people of Gebel and Wargar, who were skilled fighters, revolted. They attacked some Christian areas. The people of Medra Zega and Manzih also rebelled. They attacked the Emperor, but he defeated them.
Later Campaigns
The most important book about Amda Seyon's rule is The Glorious Victories. It describes his many military campaigns. These campaigns took place in the plains near the Awash River. The Emperor led his army against many enemies. Another document says he defeated 10 kings that year.
The Muslim provinces rebelled because Amda Seyon threatened Islam. This was made worse by the loss of trade from his earlier campaigns. Religious leaders in Ifat encouraged this defiance. A "false prophet" who had fled from Hadiya continued to spread ideas against the king. He was an advisor to Sabr ad-Din.
Another religious leader, named Salih, also caused trouble. He was like an Archbishop and was greatly respected. The chronicle says Salih "gathered the Muslim troops, kings, and rulers" against the Emperor.
Because of these events, Sabr ad-Din I rebelled. He was the governor of Ifat and Haqq ad-Din's brother. He seized some of the Emperor's goods that were coming from the coast. Amda Seyon was very angry. He told Sabr ad-Din, "You took my goods that I traded for gold and silver."
Ifat Campaign
Sabr ad-Din's rebellion was not just to gain independence. He wanted to become the emperor of a Muslim Ethiopia. Amda Seyon's royal chronicle says Sabr ad-Din declared: "I want to be King of all Ethiopia. I will rule Christians by their own law and destroy their churches. I will make governors in all provinces, like the King of Zion. I will turn churches into mosques. I will make the Christian King convert to my religion. If he refuses, I will make him a camel keeper. As for his wife, Queen Jan Mangesha, I will make her grind corn. I will live in Marade, his capital."
Sabr ad-Din even appointed governors for many provinces. These included nearby areas like Fetegar and Alamalé. He also named governors for far-off northern provinces. These included Damot, Amhara, Angot, Inderta, Begemder, and Gojjam. He also threatened to plant khat at the capital. This is a stimulant used by Muslims but forbidden to Ethiopian Orthodox Christians.
Sabr ad-Din's rebellion was seen as a holy war, or jihad. The nearby Muslim province of Dewaro joined him. The western province of Hadiya also joined. Sabr ad-Din divided his army into three parts. One went to attack Amhara, one to Angot, and one to Shewa.
Amda Seyon gathered his soldiers. He gave them many gifts of gold, silver, and fine clothes. The writer of the chronicle said that during his rule, "gold and silver were as common as stones." Despite the gifts, many soldiers did not want to fight. The land of Ifat was mountainous and dry, with no roads. Still, they moved forward. They found the rebellious governor and made him flee.
When the rest of Amda Seyon's army arrived, they destroyed the capital. They killed many soldiers and took prisoners. They also looted gold, silver, and jewels.
Sabr ad-Din then asked for peace. He appealed to Queen Jan Mengesha. But she refused, saying Amda Seyon would not return until he found Sabr ad-Din. Sabr ad-Din realized his rebellion was useless and surrendered. Amda Seyon did not execute him but imprisoned him. Amda Seyon then made Sabr ad-Din's brother, Jamal ad-Din I, the new governor of Ifat.
Just as the Ifat rebellion ended, the nearby provinces of Adal and Mora rebelled. Amda Seyon quickly put down this rebellion too.
Adal Campaign
Amda Seyon's troops were tired after many campaigns. They wanted to go home, saying the rainy season was coming. But Amda Seyon refused. He told them: "Do not say that again. I will not leave as long as the ungodly Muslims fight me. I am the King of all the Muslims of Ethiopia. I trust in God's help."
The new governor of Ifat also begged him to return. He gave Amda Seyon many gifts. He said his country was ruined and asked him not to "destroy it again." He promised that Ifat would serve the Emperor with trade and tribute. Amda Seyon rejected these pleas. He declared: "While I am attacked by wolves and dogs, by evil children who do not believe in the Son of God, I will never return to my kingdom. If I leave without going to Adal, I am no longer my mother's son. Let me be called a woman, not a man."
Amda Seyon continued his march. He was attacked twice before making camp. The Muslims returned at night with many more soldiers. They attacked him with an army from seven "great towns" of Adal. During the battle, Amda Seyon was hit by a sword from behind. It cut his belt and battle dress. But the Emperor turned and killed the attacker with his spear. Amda Seyon won the battle. He sent fresh troops to chase the remaining enemies. They caught them by a river and killed them. They took many swords, bows, spears, and clothes.
Jamal ad-Din, the new governor of Ifat, also joined the rebellion. He worked with the ruler of Adal, Imam Salih, to surround the Emperor. The Ethiopian army was surrounded in the Battle of Das. But Amda Seyon defeated them, even though he was ill. He then led his army to Talag, the capital of Adal. The brother and three sons of the Adal governor surrendered there.
The Emperor then defeated another governor-king. He returned to Bequlzar in Ifat. There, he ordered Jamal ad-Din to hand over all the Christians who had turned away from their faith. The Emperor first received the priests, deacons, and soldiers. They were punished and made slaves. Then he asked for the other traitors, but Jamal ad-Din refused to hand them over. Amda Seyon again destroyed Ifat. He removed Jamal ad-Din and appointed Nasir ad-Din, another brother of Sabr ad-Din, as governor.
After finishing in Ifat, he took his army to Gu'ét. He killed many men and captured women and cattle. The Emperor then invaded modern Somaliland. He defeated an attack by the people of Harla. Amda Seyon then went to Dilhoya. This town had previously burned his governor and other Christians. The Emperor responded by taking and looting the town. He also killed many of its people.
Amda Seyon then continued to Degwi. He killed many neighboring Werjih herders. These people had attacked Christian areas earlier in his rule. The chronicle called them "very wicked." It said they "neither knew God nor feared men."
Before the end of December, Amda Seyon destroyed the land of Sharkha. He imprisoned its governor, Yosef. These efforts extended Ethiopian rule across the Awash River for the first time. He gained control of Dawaro, Bale, and other Muslim states.
Campaign Dates
Historians disagree on the exact year these military actions happened. Some say it was 1329. Others, like August Dillmann and Carlo Conti Rossini, believe it was 1332. A document confirms that the campaigns took place in AD 1332.
Amda Seyon's Army
Amda Seyon's army was similar to the armies of ancient Aksum. It had two main parts. The first was his central army, which was very effective. It was closely connected to the Royal Court. The second part was a larger local militia. These units were formed during local problems. They kept their local identity and fought together.
From Amda Seyon's rule, special groups called Chewa regiments became the main part of the Empire's military. A regiment usually had several thousand men. Each regiment was given land to support itself.
The central army had independent regiments. Each had its own name, like Qeste-Nihb and Tekula. These groups competed for the king's favor. The king "raised" and "nourished" them from childhood. Loyal commanders led the regiments. They reported directly to Amda Seyon. His own son commanded one of these groups. The commanders of Qeste-Nihb were his "most beloved" officers.
Amda Seyon used these special regiments for quick actions. Their commanders often served as governors during problems in provinces. His central army also had regional regiments. These were like his local militias. They came mainly from newly conquered areas. Most soldiers were probably prisoners from conquests. Some became servants, others were sold as slaves. Those who served the Emperor received military training.
The Emperor improved the imperial army. Before his rule, it was not as well-armed as his Muslim enemies. A historian from the 1300s, al-Umari, described Ethiopian troops. He said they used bows, arrows, swords, spears, and long lances. Some fought with swords and shields. Their main weapon was the spear.
The Ethiopian army's strength was mostly its large numbers. But Amda Seyon worked to improve their equipment. He increased the use of swords and daggers. He probably got these from Muslim traders. He also created a special group of soldiers who carried shields. These were likely used to protect his archers.
Trade and Culture
Trade grew during Amda Seyon's reign. Discoveries in Ethiopian churches and monasteries show this. They found coins, textiles, and other items. These prove that Ethiopia traded with the Byzantine Empire. Amda Seyon also had a Syrian secretary. This helped him stay in touch with events in the Middle East.
Some of the first Ethiopian books were written during his rule. One famous book is the Kebra Nagast. It is believed to have been translated from Arabic then. Other works include The Book of the Mysteries of Heaven and Earth. This was written by Giyorgis of Segla. Also, the History of Alexander the Great was written. In this story, Alexander the Great becomes a Christian saint.
It is also thought that the Ge'ez translation of the Bible was updated at this time. Four of the Soldiers Songs were also written during Amda Seyon's reign. These are the oldest surviving examples of Amharic writing. Amda Seyon was also the first king known to have given books to the Ethiopian community in Jerusalem.
Legacy
Amda Seyon's great victories decided who would control the southern region. This was a crucial question for the next two centuries. His wins made the Amhara people powerful over the Muslim areas. The southern region became very important in Ethiopian history. For the next two centuries, it was a source of historical events.
In short, Amda Seyon's wars made the Amhara masters of the region. From then on, the name Amhara was linked to great conquering nations. However, these victories did not create a true nation. There was no real blending of cultures or sharing of ideas. For Christians, the conquests meant constant wealth. For Muslims, it meant constant destruction, looting, and poverty.
See also
In Spanish: Amda Seyon I para niños
Images for kids
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Map of medieval Ethiopian provinces, with sub-provinces in smaller lettering and neighbouring groups in italics.
