Solomonic Dynasty

The restored Solomonic lineage started in 1270 with Emperor Yekuno’s declaration to be the lineal descent Menelik I, offspring of King Solomon and Queen Makeda (Queen of Sheba or Queen of Saba). All succeeding Ethiopian rulers confirmed their having full filial rights and obligations by birth to Yekuno Amlak and, by that means, to King Solomon and Queen Makeda. The information known today about the Solomonic Dynasty comes from a combination of Egyptian, Syrian, and Abysinian text. The Kebra Nagast, a royal chronicle compiled in Abyssinia in the 14^th century, warrants the reestablishment of the Solomonic line. A good portion of the book is consigned to the origin of Emperor Menelik I who was the son of King Solomon and Queen Makeda.

In conformity with the legend, Queen Makeda ventured from Abyssinia to Jerusalem to examine and acquire from the wise and great rule of King Solomon. Queen Makeda was proselytized to Judaism and she gained knowledge and understanding of Middle Eastern statecraft by study, instructions, and experience. When Queen Makeda resolved to go back to Abyssinia, King Solomon persuaded her to have super with him in his imperial palace. While staying over for the night, she was compelled to go to bed with the king. In his dreams that night the king saw that the Queen would beget him a son, and that God’s blessings would be with him and his country. When the child, Menelik I, eventually grew to be a man, he journeyed to King Solomon and was proclaimed Emperor of Ethiopia by King Solomon.

This tale is also partly retold in the bible in 1 Kings 10, 1-13:

[1] And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.

[2] And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

[3] And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.

[4] And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,

[5] And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

[6] And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.

[7] Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.

[8] Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.

[9] Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.

[10] And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.

[11] And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.

[12] And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.

[13] And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.

During the high point of the restored Solomonic dynasty, strict regulations were set over all the Christian territorial division of the kingship, also embodying surrounding areas. There were successful connected series of military operations forming a district phase of a war against Muslim provinces, which acquired the dynasty power over the trade routes to the Red Sea. The expansion also led to the spread of Christianity in the southern highlands. The Orthodox Church rearranged to strengthen its religious practices, and nonbelievers were converted. Imperial control was reinforced over what was a disorganized administrative state.

Solomonic Dynasty

1 Yekuno Amlak 1268

2 Yagbe'a Seyon 1285

3 Senfa Ar'ed 1294

4 Hezba Asgad 1295

5 Kedma Asgad 1296

6 Jin Asgad 1297

7 Saba Asgad 1298

8 Wedem Ar'ed 1299

9 'Amda Seyon I 1314

10 Newaya Krestos 1344

11 Newaya Maryam 1372

12 Dawit I 1382

13 Tewodros I 1411

14 Yeshak 1414

15 Endreyas 1429

16 Takla Maryam 1430

17 Sarwe Iyasus 1433

18 'Amda Iyasus 1433

19 Zara Ya'kob Constantine 1434

20 Ba'eda Maryam I 1468

21 Eskandar 1478

22 'Amda Seyon II 1494

23 Na'od 1494

24 Lebna Dengel Dawit II 1508

25 Galawdewos 1540

26 Minas 1559

27 Sarsa Dengel 1563

28 Yakob (1st reign) 1597

29 Za Dengel 1603 Ya'kob (2nd reign) 1604

30 Susenyos 1607

31 Fasiladas 1632

32 Yohannes I 1667

33 Isayu I 1682

34 Takla Haymanot I 1706

35 Tewoflos 1708

36 Yostos 1711

37 Dawit III 1716

38 Asma Giyorgis 1721

39 Iyasu II 1730

40 Iyo'as I 1755

41 Yohannes II 1769

42 Takla Haymanot II 1769

43 Salomon 1777

44 Takla Giyorgis (1st reign) 1779

45 Iyasu III 1784 Takla Giyorgis (2nd reign) 1788

46 Hezekiyas 1789 Takla Giyorgis (3rd reign) 1794

47 Be'ada Maryam II 1795 Takla Giyorgis (4th reign) 1795

48 Walda Salomon (1st reign) 1796

49 Yonas 1797 Takla Giyorgis (5th reign) 1798 Walda Salomon (2nd reign) 1799

50 Demetros (1st reign) 1799 Takla Giyorgis (6th reign) 1800 Demetros (2nd reign) 1800

51 'Egwala Seyon 1801

52 Iyo'as II 1818

53 Gigar (1st reign) 1821

54 Ba'eda Maryam III 1826 Gigar (2nd reign) 1826

55 Iyasu IV 1830

56 Gabra Krestos (1st reign) 1832

57 Sahla Dengel (1st reign) 1832 Gabra Krestos (2nd reign) 1832   Sahla Dengel (2nd reign) 1832

58 Yohannes III (1st reign) 1840   Sahla Dengel (3rd reign) 1841 Yohannes III (2nd reign) 1850 Sahla Dengel (4th reign) 1851

59 Tewodros II 1855

60 Takla Giyorgis II 1868

61 Yohannes IV 1871

62 Menelik II (of Shewa) 1889

63 Iyasu 1913

64 Empress Zauditu 1916

65 Haile Selassie (died 1975) 1930

66 Amha Selassie (in exile) 1978