XIIᵉ siècle – XIIIᵉ siècle
Central and northern Ethiopian highlands
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Zagwe Dynasty ruled Ethiopia’s highland Christian stronghold from 1137 until its overthrow in 1270. Emerging from prolonged contact between Cushitic- and Semitic-speaking peoples, it governed for almost 150 years under eleven kings. The Zagwe promoted a deeply Christian royal ideology, built churches and monasteries, and sponsored the rock-hewn church complex at Adefa, later known as Lalibela.
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Le récit
The Zagwe Dynasty emerged in Ethiopia’s northern highland Christian stronghold by 1137. It followed the formation of a post-Aksumite Christian kingdom that controlled much of the central northern highlands, from modern Eritrea to Shewa, as well as the Red Sea coast between old Adulis and Zeila. The Zagwe inherited a political landscape shaped by long interaction between Cushitic- and Semitic-speaking communities.
The dynasty lasted almost 150 years and was ruled by eleven kings. Its rulers were devout Christians who believed they had been commanded by God to build a replica of Jerusalem in Africa. This religious vision encouraged the construction of churches and monasteries and gave the dynasty a distinctive architectural and devotional legacy.
Around the capital at Adefa, the Zagwe built eleven churches in the shape of crosses by carving them into volcanic rock. Adefa later became known as Lalibela, after the Zagwe king believed to have been responsible for the churches. The dynasty ended in 1270, when the Amhara noble Yekuno Amlak displaced the last Zagwe ruler and proclaimed himself king.
XIIᵉ siècle – XIIIᵉ siècle
Central and northern Ethiopian highlands
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Zagwe Dynasty ruled Ethiopia’s highland Christian stronghold from 1137 until its overthrow in 1270. Emerging from prolonged contact between Cushitic- and Semitic-speaking peoples, it governed for almost 150 years under eleven kings. The Zagwe promoted a deeply Christian royal ideology, built churches and monasteries, and sponsored the rock-hewn church complex at Adefa, later known as Lalibela.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
The Zagwe Dynasty emerged in Ethiopia’s northern highland Christian stronghold by 1137. It followed the formation of a post-Aksumite Christian kingdom that controlled much of the central northern highlands, from modern Eritrea to Shewa, as well as the Red Sea coast between old Adulis and Zeila. The Zagwe inherited a political landscape shaped by long interaction between Cushitic- and Semitic-speaking communities.
The dynasty lasted almost 150 years and was ruled by eleven kings. Its rulers were devout Christians who believed they had been commanded by God to build a replica of Jerusalem in Africa. This religious vision encouraged the construction of churches and monasteries and gave the dynasty a distinctive architectural and devotional legacy.
Around the capital at Adefa, the Zagwe built eleven churches in the shape of crosses by carving them into volcanic rock. Adefa later became known as Lalibela, after the Zagwe king believed to have been responsible for the churches. The dynasty ended in 1270, when the Amhara noble Yekuno Amlak displaced the last Zagwe ruler and proclaimed himself king.
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