Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ahmed Gragn the Left-Handed expands his kingdom and by 1532 has taken most of
eastern and southern Ethiopia. In 1542 he defeats a Portuguese/Ethiopian army near
Lake Tana.
1543-59
Emperor Galawdewos, with help from Portugal, finally defeats and kills Muslim raider
Ahmed Gragn. Intermittent fighting continues for many years until Galawdewos is
killed in an attack on Harar.
1550
The Oromo people move north from Kenya and plunge the country into 200 more
years of intermittent armed conflict. It's during this period that the walls of Harar are
built.
1582
Much of the Christian world adopts the revised Gregorian calendar, but Ethiopia stays
with the Julian calendar - staying seven years behind the rest of us.
1629
Emperor Susenyos converts to Catholicism and tries to force his people to do likewise.
His subjects are not happy and in the civil war that follows an estimated 32,000 die.
1636
Emperor Fasiladas founds Gonder, the first permanent capital since Lalibela; he also
expels all foreigners from the empire. The new capital flourishes and Ethiopia enters
another golden age.
1706-21
The court in Gonder is thrown into turmoil as coups, assassination and court rumour
become a virtual hobby for the people of the royal city.
1755-1855
Emperor Iyasu II dies and the central government in Gonder quickly collapses.
Ethiopia slips back into the dark ages and a century of endless civil war and skirmishes
follows.
