Social, Political, and Economic Structure

The Christian Kingdom of Ethiopia was a long established monarchy with the drive to spread Christianity and expand the kingdom. Groups of people competed for control of the valuable trade routes that linked the Ethiopian highlands to the Red Sea.

Art



 

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"Jesus Takes Up the Cross"

 

Ethiopian art and literature was greatly influenced by the Christian faith. The Zagwe Dynasty (around 1137-1270 CE) marked the highest point of Ethiopian art with the building/carving of the 11 churches in Lalibela. The 15th century though, was a period of great artistic achievement with the arrival of Western artists and artworks that encouraged the development of new stylistic trends.

A period of political tranquility, during the Solomonic Dynasty (around 1270-1770 CE), allowed for the pursuit of an ambitious program that used the power of visual culture to reaffirm the divine authority of the Ethiopian Emperor.

Religion

Christianity was brought to Axum by Syrian Christians, and in the 4th century CE, King Ezana converted to Christianity and officially declared it as the main religion of the kingdom of Ethiopia.



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Geography

Their location on the horn of Africa provided them with a natural channel for trade and communication in the Indian Ocean trading network.

The Christian Kingdom of Ethiopia: An Introduction

The Christian Kingdom of Ethiopia has its origins in the ancient civilization of Axum, Axum existing many years before the birth of Christ. Axum was first introduced to Christianity by means of extensive Indian Ocean commerce, which carried goods as well as culture along with their merchants. During the 13^th century, a local prince seized the throne and initiated the Zagwe Dynasty. In order to legitimate the rule of these new Zagwe monarchs, 11 underground churches carved out of the soft volcanic rock of the region were created in an attempt to recreate a holy city, like that of Jerusalem. The center of the kingdom moved from its original position in Axum southward into a region later known as Lalibela, named after a 13^th century king.