Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!
Imperial Ethiopia
  • Click here for an official statement from the Imperial family concerning recent events

  • Quick Links:

  • Statement from the Crown Council of Ethiopia and the Imperial Family
  • The Imperial Churches
  • The Imperial Constitutions of the Empire of Ethiopia
  • The Imperial Crest of the House of Solomon
  • Coronation Traditions in Imperial Ethiopia
  • Origins of the The Solomonic Dynasty, the Imperial House of Ethiopia
  • Family Trees of Various Branches of the Imperial Solomonic Dynasty of Ethiopia
  • Emperor Haile Selassie I, Part 1
  • Emperor Haile Selassie I, Part 2
  • Emperor Haile Selassie I, Part 3
  • Emperor Libne Dingel (Wanag Seged)
  • In Memory of Her Imperial Highness, Princess Tenagnework of Ethiopia
  • Emperor Sertse Dengel (Melek Seged)
  • Emperor Tekle Giorgis II
  • Emperor Tewodros II
  • Titles in the Empire of Ethiopia
  • Traditions, Rituals, Practices and Etiquette in the Ethiopian Empire
  • Emperor Yohannis IV
  • Empress Zewditu, Queen of Kings
  • Amha Selassie I,Emperor-in-Exile (Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen)
  • Imperial Burial Traditions
  • Flags and Symbols of Ethiopia
  • Imperial Funeral Events October 30th - November 5th, 2000
  • Emperor Gelawdewos (Atsnaf Seged)
  • Lij Eyasu Michael, Emperor-Designate (Eyasu V)
  • Maps of Ethiopia Across Time
  • Emperor Menelik II : Part I
  • Menelik II Part II: The Post Adowa Era
  • Emperor Minas (Admas Seged)
  • Imperial Monuments of Ethiopia
  • Pictures and Stories on the Imperial Funeral Events
  • Imperial Palaces and Residences of Ethiopia
  • Emperor Susneyous the Catholic (Siltan Seged)
  • The Imperial Family Today
  • Emperor Yacob
  • Emperor Yekonu Amlak
  • History of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church Homepage
  • Coronation Traditions in Imperial Ethiopia
  • This Page commemorates the Ethiopian Monarchy and the Imperial House of the Ethiopian Empire. The Solomonic Dynasty of Ethiopia reigned with few interruptions from it's founding by Menelik I, son of the Biblical King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, until the fall of Haile Selassie I in 1974. This page is not directly affiliated with any political or monarchist organization, nor is it connected to any religious or ethnic group or party. It is meant simply as a point of interest for those looking for information on the Ethiopian monarchy. It is not the official webpage of the Imperial Family of Ethiopia or any of it's members.

    The Imperial Crest of the House of Solomon The above Crest is the Official Coat of Arms and Seal of the Ethiopian Monarchy, and is displayed on this website with the gracious permission of the Ethiopian Crown Council.


    The Imperial Flag


  • Click here for History and Pictures of the Major Imperial Churches of Ethiopia

  • Click here for History and Pictures of the Major Imperial Era Monuments of Ethiopia

  • Click here for History and Pictures of Ethiopia's Imperial Palaces

  • In 1931, Emperor Haile Selassie granted Ethiopia it's first written constitution, and established the first Parliament composed of a House of Deputies and an Imperial Senate. Both Houses of Parliament were appointed by the monarch. In 1955, a new revised constitution was granted. Although it retained the concept of absolute monarchy, it did provide for the first time, for a directly elected House of Deputies. All male and female Ethiopian subjects were eligible to vote, although no provision was made for the allowance of political parties.

    Some Early Monarchs of the House of Solomon


    Menelik I, First Solomonic King of Kings of Ethiopia Menelik I was the son of Makeda, Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of Israel. He was the founder of the Solomonic Dynasty in Ethiopia, and is said to be the first monarch to use the title of King of Kings of Ethiopia. Makeda, according to the Kebre Negest, returned from her biblical visit to Jerusalem pregnant with Solomon's son, as did one of her servants. (The Zagwe dynasty would later claim to be the descendants of the servant). When her son was born, she raised him as her heir, and then sent him to meet his father in Jerusalem when he came of age. After meeting his father, Menelik returned to his homeland. When Menelik returned, Solomon arranged for a copy of the Ark of the Covenant to be made for him to take with him, and ordered the eldest sons of all his nobels and priests to go with Menelik. The son of Zadok the High Priest, apparently reluctant to go off to a strange land with just a copy of the Ark, crept into the temple and exchanged the replica with the real Ark, and brought the Ark of the Covenant to Ethiopia. It is kept at the Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion to this day, in a special sanctuary Chapel that only one guardian monk is permitted to enter.

    Emperor Ezana (Abraha), First Christian Emperor Ezana was the son of Emperor Ella Amida. During his fathers reign, two Syrian youths were shipwrecked on the Red Sea Coast and brought to the Imperial Court. One of them, Adesius, became the trusted cup bearer and food taster for the Emperor, while the other, Fermentius, became his secretary. Upon the death of the Emperor Ella Amida, the widowed Empress begged the two Syrian Christians to remain in the country and help her rule until her son came of age. Fermentius remained, and assisted the Empress as well as becoming the tutor to the young boy Emperor. Fermentius converted Emperor Ezana to Christianity, and when the Emperor came of age, he replaced his coins that bore an emblem of the sun and moon along with his image, with new coins that bore the Holy Cross. They are the first coins in the world to bear the Christian emblem. Fermentius went to Alexandira to request that the Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, who at the time was St. Athnathius himself, to appoint the first Bishop of Ethiopia. Patriarch Athnathius sent Fermentius himself back as the first Bishop, with the new name of Abune Selamma. This bishop is known to the west as St. Fermentius of the Ethiopians. Ever since this event in the fourth century, Ethiopia has been identified as a Christian state in Africa, and one of the oldest Christian states in the world. Ethiopian tradition maintains that Ezana's brother Shezana also served as a co-ruler with his brother, and the brothers are known in Ethiopia commonly as Abraha and Atsbeha. The brothers recieved a letter from the Byzantine Emperor Constantius that instructed them to expell the bishop Abune Salamma as he did not subscribe to the Arian doctrine supported by the Byzantine Emperor, and was a supporter of St. Athenathius, Patriarch of Alexandria who was the leading opponent of Arianism. The Ethiopian monarchs refused, and heald fast to the Orthodox doctrine supported by St. Athnathius. Ezana was a significantly successful soldier, whose military victories are recorded in numerous inscriptions at Axum. He is also credited with having brought the Ark of the Covenant from the island of Tana Kirkos in lake Tana, to the Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion which he built, removing it from the custody of the Bete Israel Jews (Falashas) and placing it in the hands of Ethiopia's Christians.

    Emperor and Saint Gebre Meskel During the reign of this monarch, St. Yared developed and composed the liturgical music and chants of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, as well as a unique 5 note system and notation system for Ethiopian music. Emperor Gebre Meskel is said to have been so mesmerized by Yared's music, that he accidentally pierced St. Yared's food with his spear while listening to a recital by Yared. Gebre Meskel was a particularly pious Emperor who was himself eventually declared a saint of the Ethiopian Church.

    Emperor Kaleb the Great

    Emperor Armah,Welcomer of first Muslims The Emperor Armah is the Ethiopian monarch who was the first ruler to give sanctuary to the first Muslims. Soon after the Prophet Mohammed began his teaching in Arabia, the Kings of the region began to ruthlessly suppress and persecute his followers. Many fled across the Red Sea to the Axumite Empire, including members of the Prophet's family. When the pagan Arab kings heard that many Moslem refugees had fled to Ethiopia, they sent messengers to Armah offering a large bounty for the return of these fugitives to them. The Axumite Emperor, hesitant and unsure of the nature of these exiles had them investigated by his officials, and was told that they were simple people who believed in one God, and were mostly poor women and children who had thrown themselves at his mercy. After seeing this for himself, he is said to have replied to the Arab Kings, "Even if you were to pay me a mountain of gold, I could not in good conscience betray these people and send them to you." This act was possibly a key event in the survival of the young Islamic religion, and the Prophet deeply appreciated this act of compassion. He explicitly instructed his followers to leave the Ethiopians in peace, and exempted Ethiopia from Jihad. This in turn allowed Ethiopian Christianity to survive intact as the Nubian Christian kingdoms and the Christians in Egypt succumbed to eventual Muslim conquest. When news that Emperor Armah had died reached the Prophet Mohammed in Mecca, it is said that he wept and mourned for him. Muslims and Christians have lived side by side in Ethiopia ever since. Relations have not always been smooth, but there has been very little deep seated hatred or religious atrocity outside of the Gragn era and it's aftermath. Muslims refer to Armah as Najashi (a variation of Negasi or Nigus, which means King).

    Emperor Anbassa Widim and the Fall of the Axumite Empire


    A Brief history of each of the preceding monarchs is being worked on. During the long reign of Anbassa Widim, a Jewish (Falasha or Bete Israel) woman named Yodit led an uprising that swept much of the land and fought to eliminate Christian hegemony and regain custody of the Ark of the Covenant for the Ethiopian Jews. Upon the death of Yodit, Anbassa Widim was restored breifly, but following his death, the weakened dynasty fell, and were replaced by the Zagwe dynasty

    The Zagwe Dynasty


    Following the fall of the Solomonic Dynasty, the throne was assumed by a new royal house known as the Zagwe Dynasty, founded by Emperor Mara Tekle Haimanot. These Emperors were said to have been of Agew origin, and the name Zagwe is believed to be derived from the words Ze Agew (which means "of Agew"). Although what is known as Agew Midir (land of the Agews) is located in modern day Gojjam, the Agew are known to have occupied a much wider area in earlier times, and been a major ethnic group in the Empire. Over the centuries, they have assimilated more and more into the Amhara ethnicity which surrounded them and are now indistinguishable for the most part, except for the very few remaining Agew who still speak their distinct language. The new dynasty from it's origins had difficulties with establishing it's legitimacy. It is said to have claimed decent from King Solomon through the maid servant of the Queen of Sheba who according to the Kibre Negest was also impregnated by the Israelite king at the same time. They also claimed an even older lineage by claiming decent from Moses through his Ethiopian wife. None the less, they seem to have always suffered from a perception of a lack of legitimacy, especially since the Solomonic descendants of the Axumite Emperors continued in existence in Shewa. The Zagwe's moved the capital of the Empire from Axum to the south, into the district of Lasta, to a town called Roha. This town would be renamed for the greatest of the Zagwe Emperors, Lalibella, who would build the great rock hewn churches that are still in use today as places of worship and pilgrimage. Below is a list of the Zagwe Emperors, and the dates of their reigns. Several of them would later be canonized by the Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches.

    • Emperor Mara Tekle Haimanot, reigned 916 - 919
    • Emperor Tatadim, reigned 919 - 959
    • Emperor Jan Seiyoum, reigned 959 - 999
    • Emperor Germa Seiyoum, reigned 999 - 1039
    • Saint and Emperor Yemrehana Christos, reigned 1039 - 1079
    • Saint and Emperor Harbe, reigned 1079 - 1119
    • Saint and Emperor Lalibela, reigned 1119 - 1159
    • Saint and Emperor Na'akuto Le'Ab, reigned 1159 - 1207
    • Emperor Yetbarek, reigned 1207 - 1247
    • Emperor Mairari, reigned 1247 - 1262 Emperor Harbe II, reigned 1262 - 1270

    The Solomonic Dynasty was restored in 1270 when the founding Abbot of Debre Libanos Monastery, Saint Tekle Haimanot, convinced Harbe II to step aside and allow the Solomonic heir, Yekonu Amlak, to assume the Imperial Throne rather than face a humiliating military defeat. Legend states that Harbe II took religious vows and became a monk, and his heir was the one who received the settlement from the new Emperor and became the first Wagshum, with the district of Wag as his hereditary fief. The descendants of the Zagwe Emperors bore the title of Wagshum from the year 1270 right up to the revolution of 1974. The Abdication Settlement not only granted the district of Wag and the hereditary title of Wagshum, but also granted the Wagshums the right to be seated on a silver throne one step bellow the golden throne of the Emperor. They were entitled to have the great negarit drum beaten for them in salute on great occasions, and also during military campaigns just like the Emperor. They were also granted the privilege of being seated in the Imperial presence, so long as the Emperor was also seated. They were treated with princely deference by all, and deeply revered in Lasta and Wag. The Solomonic Emperors honored this agreement until the fall of the Ethiopian monarchy 804 years later.

    Saint & Emperor Lalibela of the Zagwe Dynasty


    Some Medeival Emperors


  • Emperor Yekonu Amlak and the Solomonic Restoration
  • Emperor Yigba Tsion

    Upon the death of Yekonu Amlak, he was succeeded by his son Yigba Tsion who speant much of his reign fighting various sons and grandsons of Yekonu Amlak for the succession. After a brief reign that ended with his death in 1294, the fighting intensified among his brothers and nephews untill 1300 or so when it was decided to return to the old custom of imprisoning all male heirs of the House of Solomon to prevent wars of succession. Instead of the old royal prison on Debre Damo monastery, they royal men were taken to the new monastery prison built on Amba Gishen.

  • Emperor Amde Tsion
  • Amde Tsion was crowned in 1313 and brought all the Christian distrincts of the northern highlands under his firm control. He expanded his power deeper into Shewa, Gojjam, Damot and Agew Midir. He established stronger control of the Lake Tana area, establishing a strong base on the Zegey penninsula where he built the beautiful St. Mary's church which still stands today with it's magnificent murals. He also expanded deep into the south into Hadiya, which is in modern Sidama (Sidamo), and spread Christianity throughout the south. He strengthened the monarchy and established a more stable system of government. Emperor Amde Tsion died in 1344.


    During the reign of Emperor Tekle Giorgis I, in an attempt at consolidating declining Imperial power, the Emperor proclamed the imposition of new taxes on the population of Beghemidir, (in particular a tax on honey produced) the Province in which the capital, Gondar, was located. The nobles of the province appealed to the Emperor, stating that they had long been exempt from such taxes. He refused to accomidate them. The "Enderase" was a noble who was appointed to serve as a type of Grand Vizier or PrimeMinister. At this time, it was the Yejju Oromo nobleman, Ras Gugsa the Great. The nobles assembled at Debre Tabor, and summoned him to them. They told him that they no longer wanted to be ruled by the Emperor, and if he stood with them, and agreed to act only in consultation with them, he could assume power and relegate the monarch to a powerless symbolic role confined to the Castle compound in Gondar. The Enderase swiftly agreed. Emperor Tekle Giorgis I was informed that he was to refrain from participating in affairs of state, and symply reign from his thone as the supreme source of legitimacy, and a symbol of sovreignity, but devoid of all power. Stripped of all their traditional power, the Emperors became mere puppets of whomever could assume the Enderaseship. The people contemptuously refered to the successive monarchs as Our Ladies the Castle Keepers (Woizazir Ye Gimb Tebakioch). The loss of Imperial prestiege had begun with the murder of Eyasu the Great by his son Tekle Haimanot I, but probably the greatest blow to Imperial power was the killing of Emperor Eyoas I on the orders of the Enderase, Ras Michael Sihul. The emasculating of Tekle Giorgis I's power was simply the final straw. The Emperors struggled to maintain their role, but Tekle Giorgis I was the last of the elder Gondar branch of the Imperial dynasty to excersize any real authority. The era that followed was the Zemene Mesafint (Era of the Princes) in which regional leaders governed with little oversight from the capital. They fought each other for power and territory, and struggled to sieze the position of Enderase for themselves. Athough others did manage to sieze the Enderaseship from time to time, it was usually held by members of Ras Gugsa the Great's family, a noble family of Oromo origin from Yejju and Wollo. Each Enderase would choose a prince of the Imperial House and place him on the throne as his puppet, but when another Enderase siezed power, or the incumbent monarch displeased the Enderase, the puppet Emperor would be replaced by another. Some monarchs would be deposed and restored several times in their lifetimes. Although they held the strings of power and authority the House of Yejju never presumed to seize the throne for themselves, always aknowledging the right of the House of Solomon to occupy the Imperial throne even if only symbolically. Often refered to by foriegnors as princes, the Yejju rulers of Ethiopia were in fact nobles and not princes. The following is a list of the monarchs of this era who had no power, but were legitimate monarchs in whose names the nation was ruled by its many warlords. Many were contemporaries of each other, and found themselves switched on and off the throne at the whim of the Enderase. They followed Emperor Tekle Giorgis I.

    • Emperor Eyasu III
    • Emperor Hizkias
    • Emperor Beide Mariam II
    • Emperor Solomon II
    • Emperor Yonas Emperor
    • Dimitros Emperor Igwale Tsion (Gwalu)
    • Emperor Eyoas II
    • Emperor Gigar
    • Emperor Beide Mariam III
    • Emperor Eyasu IV
    • Emperor Gebre Christos
    • Emperor Sahle Dingil
    • Emperor Yohannis III

    With the deposing of Emperor Yohannis III in 1851 by Kassa of Kwara, who usurped the throne as Tewodros II, the elder line of the Solomonic Dynasty, the Gondar Branch, came came to an end. Emperor Yohannis III was deposed and expelled from the Palace compound in Gondar and went to live in another house in the city. He apparently fell on hard times, and would write a pitiful letter to Emperor Napoleon III of France, pleading for funds because he had become destitute. There are stories that he converted to Catholicism. Following Tewodros II's death, three branches of the dynasty, the Tigrai Branch, the Gojjam Branch, and the Shewa Branch became the leading representatives of the House of Solomon. They were challenged by Wagshum Gobeze who set forth claims as both the Zagwe heir, and also by virtue of Solomonic blood on his mother's side. Emperor Yohannis IV was the only member of the Tigrai Branch to reign, but his decendants were recognized as the hereditary princes of Tigrai. The Shewan Branch eventually became the reigning branch of the family, and recognized as the senior one of the three lines. The head of the Gojjam Branch became King Tekle Haimanot of Gojjam, and his decendents ruled Gojjam as it's princes for many decades afterwards. The family trees are extensive.

  • Click here for Family Trees

    THE MODERN ERA ETHIOPIAN MONARCHY


    Emperor Tewodros II (Theodore)
  • Click here for History and Pictures

  • Magdalla Loot Affairs

  • Click here for BBC article on the a Tabot looted from Magdalla returned to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church by the Episcopal Church of Scotland
  • Click here for The Scotsman article on the return of the Tabot
  • Click here to see article on suprising further results of the return of the Tabot
  • Click here to see article on the arrival of the Tabot in Addis Ababa
    Emperor Tekle Giorgis II (Uncrowned)
  • Click here for History
    His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Yohannis IV
  • Click here for History and Pictures

  • Their Imperial Majesties, Emperor Menelik II, and Empress Taitu
  • Click here for Part I of History and Pictures
  • Click here for Part II of History and Pictures

  • His Imperial Highness, Lij Eyasu Michael, Emperor-Designate (never crowned)
  • Click here for History and Pictures

  • Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Zewditu of Ethiopia
  • Click here for History and Pictures

  • Their Imperial Majesties,Empress Menen & Emperor Haile Selassie I
  • Click Here for Part I of History and Pictures
  • Click Here for Part II of History and Pictures
  • Click Here for Part III of History and Pictures

  • His Imperial Higness Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen
    (His Imperial Majesty Amha Selassie I, Emperor-in-exile)

  • The Imperial Dynasty of Ethiopia, the oldest Royal House in the world,(along with the Imperial Dynasty of Japan), continues in existence. No abdication was ever signed by Emperor Haile Selassie, nor was any abdication decree issued by him or any of his heirs. Thus in a strictly legitimist view, there are those who support the legal argument that the monarchy has never ended. In practice however, Ethiopia is administered as a Federal Republic by a government that gives no recognition to any Imperial claimants, and treats members of the Imperial Family as private citizens. Many members of the Imperial Family have returned and settled in Ethiopia in the years since the fall of the Dergue, and particularly in the time since the reburial of Emperor Haile Selassie in November 2000.

    The Funeral of the Emperor Haile Selassie

  • Details of Program of Imperial Funeral
  • Funeral Events, Pictures, and Articles
  • BBC News on Imperial Funeral Preparations
  • BBC News on November 2nd Requiem
  • Present Ethiopian Government Assault on Emperor shortly before the Funeral
  • A Non-Monarchist defence of the Emperor in the face of the Government Attack on him
  • CNN Story on Burial of the Emperor
  • BBC Story on Burial of the Emperor
  • BBC Video of Interview with Prince Mulugeta Asrate Kassa and Clips from Funeral and Scenes of the Emperor's Life (RealPlayer needed)
  • Click here for Obituary of the Late Princess Tenagnework, and pictures of her funeral.

  • The Imperial Family Today

  • List of sources used to create this website
  • Ethiopian Imperal Webpage Salute to Recently Deceased Figures

    Imperial Guards Outside the Jubilee Palace just before the fall of the monarchy.


  • eXTReMe Tracker