Eskender facts for kids

Eskender (Ge'ez: እስክንድር, meaning "Alexander") was an Emperor of Ethiopia. He was born on July 15, 1471, and died on May 7, 1494. His special throne name was Kwestantinos II (Ge’ez: ቈስታንቲኖስ, meaning "Constantine"). He belonged to the Solomonic dynasty, a royal family. Eskender was the son of Emperor Baeda Maryam I and his wife, Queen Romna. When he was very young, important nobles and church leaders often struggled for power in the kingdom.

During his time as emperor, Eskender fought several battles against the Adal Sultanate. He died at the age of 22, which led to a civil war. This war was fought between those who supported his son, Amda Seyon II, and those who supported his half-brother, Na'od. It was also during Eskender's rule that a famous traveler from Portugal, named Pedro de Covilham, visited his court. Pedro was later asked to stay in Ethiopia as an advisor.

Becoming Emperor

Because Eskender was very young when he became emperor, he needed someone to rule for him. This person is called a regent. So, a special council was created to help him govern. This council included his mother, Queen Romna, and Tasfa Giyorgis, who was the head of the Lake Hayq monastery. It also included a powerful official named Bitwoded Amda Mikael.

However, Queen Romna soon left this arrangement. She went to live in a convent near Debre Libanos until she passed away. Abbot Tasfa Giyorgis was not as experienced as Bitwoded Amda Mikael. According to historian Taddesse Tamrat, Amda Mikael "ruled the kingdom almost single handed." Amda Mikael's rule ended around 1486. At that time, Eskender's step-grandmother, Queen Mother Eleni, led a palace coup. This led to Amda Mikael being removed from power and executed. After this, Queen Eleni became a very important leader in the Emperor's government.

Major Events of His Reign

One of Eskender's most important military achievements was attacking Dakkar. This was the capital city of the Adal Sultanate. In 1478, he destroyed houses and places of worship there. As his army was returning home, a larger Adal army attacked them. This army was led by amir Muhammad ibn Azhar ad-Din. Many of Eskender's soldiers were killed, and many were taken prisoner. It is said that Eskender escaped capture only with help from angels. After this, he built a church called Debere Meshwa'e, which means "Place of Sacrifice."

There are different ideas about why this campaign happened. One historian, James Bruce, says that Eskender ordered Zasillus, the governor of Amhara, to gather forces in the south. Eskender himself gathered soldiers from Angot and Tigray. Bruce believes Eskender was fighting back against attacks from Mahfuz of Zeila. More recent historians, like Richard Pankhurst, suggest that Eskender's attack on Dakkar made Muhammad want peace with the Ethiopians. However, Mahfuz was able to outsmart Muhammad.

There are also different stories about how Emperor Eskender died. He was only 22 years old. One story says he was killed fighting the Maya people. The Maya were an ethnic group known for using poisoned arrows. This happened east of Enderta. On the other hand, both James Bruce and explorer Richard Burton wrote that Eskender was assassinated at Tegulet. Bruce claimed that Zasillus of Amhara was responsible. Burton, however, said that Mahfuz had him assassinated. Eskender was buried in the church of Atronsa Maryam. His father had started building this church.

His early death immediately caused a civil war. The royal court tried to keep his death a secret. However, a major noble named Zasillus quickly marched to the royal prison of Amba Geshen. He freed Na'od and declared him the new Emperor. Another noble, Tekle Kristos, who stayed at the Imperial court, supported Eskender's son, Amda Seyon II, as emperor. Even though Tekle Kristos's forces defeated Zasillus's followers, fighting continued throughout the kingdom.

European Visitors

During Eskender's reign, there was some European influence in Ethiopia. A manuscript written by Francesco Suriano (dated to 1482) describes finding 10 Italians living at Eskender's court. Some of them had been there for 25 years. Suriano added that since 1480, seven more Italians had traveled to the Ethiopian court.

These Italians had traveled there "to seek jewels and precious stones." However, "the king did not allow them to return." This made them unhappy, even though they were "well rewarded, each in accordance with his rank."

In the last years of Eskender's rule, Pêro da Covilhã arrived in Ethiopia. He was an envoy, or messenger, from King John II of Portugal. However, da Covilhã was not allowed to return to Portugal. He had to live out the rest of his days in Ethiopia. Even so, he became a trusted advisor to the Emperors.