Zagwe dynasty

Zagwe dynasty was a state in Horn of Africa (North and West Africa) that lasted from c. 1137 to 1270 CE, about 133 years. Its people spoke Cushitic languages (Somali, Oromo, Beja, Afar).

Agaw dynasty that ruled the Christian highlands after Aksum. King Lalibela had a group of churches carved down into solid rock at his capital. Yekuno Amlak overthrew the dynasty in 1270.

See Zagwe dynasty on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

c. 1137 to 1270 CE

Duration

133 years

Type

State

Region

Horn of Africa, North and West Africa

Language family

Cushitic

Capital

Roha (Lalibela)

Came from

• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE

Became

• Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE

Events in North and West Africa during its time

• 1235 Battle of Kirina

Neighbours in North and West Africa

• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE
• Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE
• Mali Empire c. 1235 to 1670 CE
• Mamluk Sultanate 1250 to 1517 CE
• Fatimid Caliphate 909 to 1171 CE
• Almoravid dynasty 1040 to 1147 CE
• Makuria c. 450 to 1312 CE
• Kingdom of Benin c. 1180 to 1897 CE
• Kanem Empire c. 700 to 1387 CE
• Ife c. 1000 to 1420 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
• Abbasid Caliphate 750 to 1258 CE, Middle East
• Chola Empire 848 to 1279 CE, South Asia
• Kievan Rus 882 to 1240 CE, Europe

Questions