From the official Ethiopian post office presentation folder:
November 2, 1962 – Ancient Ethiopian Rulers (series 1)
Ethiopia is one of the most ancient nations in the world. It is believed that Ethiopia has existed as
a historical entity since the beginning of history. Ethiopia is mentioned at the beginning of one of
the earliest written records, the book of Genesis in the Bible. Homer and Herodotus mention
Ethiopia in their writings.
According to Ethiopian tradition and history, the Queen of Sheba was one of a long line of
Ethiopian Sovereigns as long ago as 1000 B.C. when Solomon was king in Jerusalem.
With a view to bringing the most outstanding Ethiopian leaders to public notice, and especially to
the notice of the philatelic world, the Ministry of Posts, Telegraphs and Telephones of the
Imperial Ethiopian Government takes pleasure in announcing that it is issuing a series of stamps
depicting the greatest Ethiopian men and women who made history and helped Ethiopia to be not
only one of the few ancient states which have lived down to our day, but also, until recently, the
only independent and Christian nation in Africa.
The present issue of seven ancient Ethiopian Leaders starts with Bazen who reigned at the time of
the Birth of Christ and ends with Lebna Dengel who began to reign in the year 1508 and who
fought so courageously to stem the tide of Islam which threatened to wipe out the faith of Christ
from the Ethiopian mountains during his reign.
1. Bazen. When Christ was born in Bethlehem, the king who was in power in Ethiopia was
Bazen. This King, like all his predecessors and successors, was of Semitic origin and had Semitic
features and structure.
At that time, in addition to the prevailing Sabean civilization the Greek languages as well as
Greek culture were established in his Empire. This was a result of the good relations and of the
commercial intercourse between the Greek world and Ethiopia. Bazen is one of the Kings who
expanded the Ethiopian Kingdom, and he was very famous for his administrative ability. Due to
his fame many of his successors and other personalities preferred to be called Bazen.
Bazen became particularly outstanding due to the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ was born during
his reign. According to the historical Chronicle, the Glory of Kings, Jesus was born in the eighth
year of the reign of Bazen.
2. Ezana (Abraha) The king whose name and reign was most outstanding in the history of
ancient Ethiopia was Ezana who came to power between 320 and 325 A.D. There are many coins
on which his face is engraved; half of these coins were engraved at the time when he worshipped
idols, with discs and the moon as signs of the idolatry of South Arabia, and others, engraved after
he became a Christian, had the sign of the Cross.
The lands enumerated after his name indicates the vastness of his kingdom; King of Aksum,
Himoyar, Raidan, Sheba, Sliehen, Tsiam, Bega and Kassu, the son of Aris, the unconquerable
King of Kings. Raidan and Himoyar were chief cities of South Arabia. Sliehen was a smaller city
of Sheba. Tsiam, Baga and Kssu were in Africa, in the northern and southern part of his kingdom.
Thus, the kingdom of Ezana extended to both shores of the Red Sea.
The inscriptions on the monuments which he erected following his many battles indicated the
expansion of culture during his reign. In fact, the said inscriptions were made in three languages,
Sabean, Geez and Greek. This is evidence that civilization was widespread at that time. Some of
the coins had Greek inscriptions and some had inscriptions in Geez; this is also evidence that
commerce was flourishing at that time.
Briefly speaking, at the time of Ezana, the Ethiopian kingdom was vast; Christianity was
preached and it was the epoch when civilization and commerce flourished. Foreign writers called
Ezana “The Constantine of Ethiopia.”
3. Kaleb. After Ezana, King Kaleb is one of the most outstanding kings who sat on the Ethiopian
Throne. As could be seen from his coins, on one side of the coins his image with a crown
engraved, and on the other side is his image without a crown. He had coins made in gold and in
steel. Around the coins, there is an inscription in Greek which says: “He who protects the
country”. This is evidence there was close understanding between him and his people.
He was a King who maintained the integrity of the Kingdom which he inherited from his
ancestors. Ethiopia was Ethiopia was still holding its dominion across the Red See in South
Arabia, and was one of the powerful states at that time; she was in a very sound economic
position. Her ships were sailing in the Red Sea, crossing the Indian Ocean and carrying the goods
and products of the country to both Eastern and Western countries.
Moreover, time Eastern Roman Empire carried on relations with the Far East through Ethiopians.
Greek merchants travelled in Ethiopian ships to India, from where they brought merchandise
back to their country in the same ships.
Her Government was respected and feared by foreign countries as Ethiopia found herself in a
good position both administratively and economically. The Eastern Roman Government sent
many delegations which concluded agreements with Ethiopia. At the time when Christians were
persecuted in South Arabia, the King crossed over on two occasions to wipe out the revolt in that
country and returned to his capital in triumph. Thereafter, he abdicated in favor of his son, Gebre
Maskal, and gave his Crown to the Altar of the Holy Sepulcher and died after living as a hermit.
His name is commemorated not only by the Ethiopian Church but also by the Greek and Roman
Catholic churches. In fact, there is no Ethiopian other than Kaleb who is considered as a Saint by
foreign churches.
4. Lalibela. After King Kaleb, the King who came to power and became outstanding in Ethiopia
was Lalibela. His seat of power was in Central Ethiopia in a locality known as Roha. Those who
reigned in the said locality were members of the Imperial Family known as the Zague Dynasty.
Nevertheless, Lalibela does not seem to have been the son of a monarch, his father’s name was
said to be Jan Seyoum. Lalibela must have been chosen for the throne for his ability. He reigned
for 40 years between 1190 and 1230. It is known that, during his long reign, he worked for the
development of his country in both culture and administration.
The details of his administrative work are not known. Nevertheless, it could be said that he was
able and humane as the Ethiopian Church considers him to be a Saint. His relations with Egypt
were friendly at the time of the Crusades. At that time, the Sultans and Caliphs of Egypt
exercised a measure of oppression against the Christians, many of whom they compelled to leave
the country. The refugees left for Ethiopia where they found asylum with their Christian brothers.
What enhanced Lalibela’s fame more than anything else was the building of 10 churches at Roha.
These churches are unique in that they were carved out of solid rock.
Although there are not many written documents concerning the civilization during the period of
the Zague Dynasty the outstanding achievements of King Lalibela demonstrate that, at that
epoch, a remarkable civilization prevailed in Ethiopia.
5. Yekuno Amlak. After Lalibela, the Zague Dynasty does not seem to have commanded much
respect. In many parts of the country people rose against the Government. One of the reasons for
the unrest seems to be that the Emperors of the Zague Dynasty were not descendants of the
ancient and respected Solomonic Dynasty.
The major opponent of the Zagues was Yekuno Amlak, a son of an aristocrat of Ambassel
(Wollo). He was a scion of the Kings of Aksum. Yekuno Amlak revolted against the Government
and attracted many persons in his struggle to regain the Crown of his ancestors. The whole
Province of Shoa gradually began to pay tribute to him and he established his headquarters there.
The increase of Yekuno Amlak’s power was a source of anxiety for the Zaguè King.
Seeing that bloodshed was inevitable by Christian fighting against Christian, the Church
intervened as mediator. The Zague King preferred to make peace realizing that his Government
was weak and could not destroy Yekuno Amlak. He therefore relinquished the Crown to Yekuno
Amlak, but in the agreement it was established that he maintain his rule over his Province of
Lasta. In rank he came next after the King. His successors were called Wagshums and retained
this dignity for a long time afterwards.
After forming his Government Yekuno Amlak began to subdue chieftain, and make them pay
tribute. He thus gradually extended his authority to the neighboring areas and established the
security of the State. The next task was to bring education and Christianity to the people. Two
learned men, Abba Eustatios in the North, and Abba Tekle Haimanot in Central and Western
Ethiopia, began to teach the people. Though the task of the two Spiritual leaders was very
difficult, their efforts gave a satisfactory result.
Due to the general improvement in culture and education at that time, many books were written
and translated. As the spread of education is a unifying factor, the activities of these two able
preachers were of great assistance to the stability of the re-established Solomonic Dynasty.
6. Zara Yacob. During the reign of Zara Yacob, 1434-1468, Ethiopia attained great respect end
was much advanced in culture, administration and living standard. Many said that Zara Yacob
was the only King who could be compared to Ezana. At that time, the kingdom was vast; its
boundaries were the Red Sea on the north and the Indian Ocean on the east and south. The wells
which he had dug at Wal Wal, where the famous incident took place with the Italians in 1934
exist to this day. These wells indicate the care which he had for his people. In his time, Ethiopia
was divided into 40 provinces and was known abroad as “The, Kingdom of the Great King.”
Like all other Ethiopian Kings, Zara Yacob was a devout believer and had close relations with the
Church. But he was superior to others in that he promulgated regulations to improve the
administration of the church. He further endeavored to encourage the spread of the Christian faith
to the surrounding areas.
In his time, education was much developed in Ethiopia. He was himself a learned man who
encouraged writers and the publication of books. He wrote two books entitled “Mesafe Berhan”
and “Mesafe Milad”. In these books he supports the improvement of the Church and opposes
heresy and custom, which did not agree with teaching or the Church, such as sorcery. Books were
translated from Arabic to Geez during his reign.
In this time, the Reformation had begun and painters had come from Venice in the reign of David
the First (1980-1409). The said painters had given a modern aspect to Ethiopian painting. This
modern trend in painting developed still further in the reign of Zara Yacob. At that time not only
were churches adorned with paintings, but books also were illustrated with them. Some of these
books have come down to us.
As Zara Yacob’s object was to have a unitary government under the sole authority of the King,
and avoid the division of the country into a number of autonomous provinces, he succeeded in
bringing this about with the aid of the Church. Any person opposed w this policy, even though a
relative, was eliminated.
His relations with foreign countries were based oil mutual respect and friendship. Pilgrims from
Ethiopia travelled to and from Jerusalem without difficulty, and merchants transported their
goods freely to the Middle East and Europe. Abba Nikodimos, who was then in Jerusalem,
attended the Council of Florence and thus reminded the Western Churches that the Ethiopian
Church was still going strong. During his reign, Zara Yacob endeavored to cause the
improvement of Ethiopia in all fields. He did great things which made him great.
7. Lebna Dengel came to power at the end of the Dynasty which reigned in Shoa and which
lasted for 270 years (1270-1540). At the beginning of his reign, he was a minor and consequently
his grandmother acted as regent. When he came of age and started to administer himself he
endeavored to maintain the integrity of his kingdom. He had no worry from the Red Sea side. The
situation on the Indian Ocean side and in particular in the Zeila area was tense; and he
endeavored to settle the matter peacefully. It was only a respite pending preparation for war.
Having realized that the tension could not be reduced, his grandmother, Queen Helen, sent an
Embassy to Portugal to obtain help. A study mission was sent from Portugal and stayed in
Ethiopia for seven years. The King had proposed that a military alliance be established between
Ethiopia and Portugal to fight the common enemy. This aim could not be reached easily owing to
the difficult communications which existed at that time.
King Lebna Dengel was an able King in internal administration. He maintained the territorial
integrity of his kingdom and his Governors were all subordinate to him. In addition to giving an
organized army, each Prince made an annual contribution to the Imperial treasury. Ethiopian
chroniclers as well as foreign eye-witnesses have amply commented on the wealth of the country
at that time. A foreigner said, “I have seen much gold taken in, but I have not seen any sent out.”
The palace was beautiful and luxurious. It is said that, due to the absence of war for so long
period the population had greatly increased.
The war which was started by the Chiefs of Adal amongst themselves spread to the whole of
Ethiopia. After obtaining help from Harar and Somalia, Ahmed Gragn declared war on Lebna
Dengel. Lebna Dengel was victorious at the beginning but later Gragn became the winner, thanks
to the modern weapons he got from the Turks. Lebna Dengel was not only beaten on the battle
field, but this was followed by the burning of churches, houses and books and the sacrilege of
holy places and things. Gragn left only dead bodies and ruins behind him. Lebna Dengel
continued the war by moving from place to place: nevertheless, due to shortage of arms, he could
not withstand the enemy. He died wandering from one place to another. His death meant the end
of the first Shoan Dynasty. At the beginning of his reign, there was peace and happiness.
He could officially receive the first foreign mission in his Palace but towards the end of his reign
the country was visited with great tribulation.