Changes in the military system during the Gondar period (1632-1769): their influence on the decline of the Solomonic dynasty

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Periodical article

Title:	Changes in the military system during the Gondar period (1632-1769): their influence on the decline of the Solomonic dynasty
Author:	Hiroki, Ishikawa
Year:	2002
Periodical:	Annales d'Éthiopie
Volume:	18
Pages:	215-229
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ethiopia
Subjects:	Gondar polity defence history 1600-1699 1700-1799
Abstract:	There is fairly general agreement in studies of the history of northern Ethiopia that religious controversies during the Gondar period (1632-1769) led to the decline of the Solomonic dynasty. This article argues, however, that changes in the military system also played a significant role in the decline of the emperors' authority. It examines these military changes, analysing the regimental system that was reconstructed during the first half of the Gondar period and that contributed to the emperors' power, the collapse of the regimental system in the second half of the period and the increasing strength of the nobles, on whom the emperors came to depend in military affairs at the end of the Gondar period. It was only at the beginning of the 'Zämänä mäsafent', or Era of the Princes (1769-1855), that the Solomonic dynasty collapsed completely. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]