AMDA TSEYON
- 3 Min Read
Amda Tseyon (12?-1344), whose throne name was Gabra Masqal, was emperor of Ethiopia for about 30 years, from 1312-44. He is famous for his heroic campaign against the Muslims of Adal, in what is now eastern Ethiopia, his reorganisation of Ethiopia’s judicial system, and his patronage of literature.
He was the son of Wedem Arad (reigned 1299-1314) and grandson of Yekuno Amlak. His reign seems to have begun badly since he was accused by the Church of unlawfully marrying one of his father’s wives. He was excommunicated for this, and retaliated by persecuting the churchmen. Nevertheless, there is evidence that he was one of the first kings of Ethiopia to attempt a systematic attack upon paganism. There is also evidence that he was an able administrator and that he established a complicated judicial system. The judges whom he appointed were senior ecclesiastica, known as Bala Heg, or masters of the law, who also had certain ritual duties, particularly at the king’s coronation.
During his reign, there was much literary activity, and the most famous book in Ethiopian literature, the Kebra Nagast, or “Glory of Kings,” was written by Yeshaq, the governor of Aksum. This book traces the origin of the kings of Ethiopia from Menilek I son of Solomon, and from Makeda (9.r.) the Queen of Sheba. Among other works produced in his reign are The Book of the Mysteries of Heaven and Earth, and The History of Alexander the Great.
He fought successfully against the Muslim kings to the southeast (i.e. of Yefat, Adal, and Somalia). The great royal chronicle of Ethiopia, probably written by a priest attached to the king’s chapel, gives a detailed account of this war, including certain dates which show that it took place in 1329, in the 18th year of Amda Tseyon’s reign. Sabr Ad-Din, the tributary king of Yefat, had rebelled against his overlord, Amda Tseyon, collecting a vast army and attacking him.
The war lasted from February to December 1329 and much of it took place in the desert country east of the river Awash. At first Sabr Ad-Din was defeated and deposed, but later the Muslims sent reinforcements. Amda Iseyon was hard-pressed, and fell ill at a critical juncture. Nevertheless, he rode out, rallied his men, and defeated the rebels. He followed up this victory by devastating various parts of the country. He died in 1342, and was succeeded by his son Newaya Krestos (reigned 1344-71).
G.W.B HUNTINGFORD.
