21 Facts About Iyasu I

Iyasu I attempted to settle doctrinal differences within Ethiopia's Coptic Church, but without long-lasting success.

Iyasu I was deposed by his own son Tekle Haymanot I in 1706 and assassinated by the relatives of one of his concubines.

Iyasu I's siblings were brothers Yostos, Tewoflos and Gelawdewos, and sisters Amlakawit and Eleni.

Iyasu I fell out with his father in 1681, and according to the chronicles, the prince and his followers crossed the Blue Nile and found refuge in pagan controlled areas.

At a place called Bete Walato, in Oromo occupied territory, Iyasu I met a large number of his father's former subjects, the Kordidas, a largely Amhara group who wished to free themselves from Oromo rule and return to Christianity, the religion of their ancestors.

Iyasu I's reign is noteworthy for the attention he devoted to administration, holding a large number of councils to settle theological and ecclesiastical matters, matters of state, and to proclaim laws.

In 1698, after reports of extortion suffered by merchants, Iyasu I reasserted his control over the growing lawlessness in the Tigray province.

Iyasu I ordered the chiefs, and the location of all Tigray Kella, be announced by herald, and recorded in the royal chronicle.

Iyasu I strengthen his control over his southern domains through his alliance with two influential Amhara warlords, Demetros of Merhabete and Negasi of Menz.

In 1704, Iyasu I settled various Oromo groups who accepted Amhara culture, adopted the Amharic language, and converted to Christianity such as the Gawe on the north bank of the Abbay as a bulwark against attacks by other hostile Oromos living south of the Abbay.

Iyasu I had a separate squadron of soldiers from the Beta Israel and units of Wellag soldiers under his command.

In 1684, Iyasu I despatched scouts to areas under the control of Oromos.

Iyasu I set fire to it, killed many of its inhabitants, and led away not a few slaves, besides numerous cattle.

In 1689, Iyasu I delivered on the promise he had made to the Kordidas, while still a prince years ago.

Iyasu I then freed the Kordidas, no less than hundred thousand of whom, accompanied by their women and children, are reported to have entered his camp singing and dancing with joy.

In 1704, emperor Iyasu I campaigned south of Abay in the kingdom of Ennarea, where he was confronted with a civil war between two throne claimants.

One of the benefits of these efforts was that Emperor Iyasu I received a bell from Johannes Camphuys, governor of the Dutch East Indies, which was then donated to Debre Berhan Selassie Church in Gondar.

Iyasu I learned that his favorite concubine, Kedeste Kristos was suffering from a terrible illness, he abandoned his campaign and returned to Gojjam where he found her already dead.

Iyasu I's death caused much distress in the capital, especially amongst the priests of Debre Berhan Selassie, who openly displayed his gifts to them, and mourned their dead monarch for a month.

Bruce writes that Iyasu I was buried on Mitraha Island, where he was shown Iyasu I's body interred amongst "the bodies of all his ancestors".

The political history of Gondar after the assassination of Iyasu I is that of a fairly steady decline.