Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE ETHIOPIAN MIDDLE AGES
Yekuno Amlak, claiming to be a descendant of King Solomon and Queen Sheba (see the
boxed text,
Click here
)
, established the 'Solomonic dynasty', which would reign for the
next 500 years. His rule would also ring in the start of what's known as the Ethiopian
Middle Ages, a period that, up until the modern age, was more documented than any other
in the nation's past.
With its all-powerful monarchy and influential clergy, the Middle Ages were a continu-
ation of the past. However, unlike the past, the kingdom's capitals were itinerant and were
little more than vast, moving military camps. There was no longer minted coins, and trade
was conducted by barter with pieces of iron, cloth or salt.
Culturally, the period was important for the significant output of Ge'ez literature, includ-
ing the nation's epic
Kebra Negast
(
Click here
)
. It was also at this time that contacts with
European Christendom began to increase. With the rising threat of well-equipped Muslim
armies in the East, Europe was seen as a Christian superpower.
Europe, for its part, dreamed of winning back Jerusalem from the 'Saracens', and real-
ised the important strategic position occupied by Ethiopia. At the time, it was almost the
only Christian kingdom outside Europe.
In the early 15th century, the first European embassy arrived in Ethiopia, sent by the
famous French aristocrat Duc de Berry. Ethiopians in their turn began to travel to Europe,
particularly to Rome, where many joined churches already established there.
