26 Facts About Susenyos I

Susenyos I was the son of Abeto Fasil, as well as the grandson of Abeto Yakob and the great-grandson of Dawit II.

The Jesuits, who were closely associated with Susenyos I's reign, left numerous documents on their mission in Ethiopia.

Susenyos I wore a tunic of crimson velvet down to the knee, breeches of the Moorish style, a sash or girdle of many large pieces of fine gold, and an outer coat of damask of the same colour, like a capelhar.

Susenyos I resided among the Oromos for over two years where he learned their language and customs.

Susenyos I was rescued by the Dejazmach Asbo in 1585 in a military campaign against the Oromos led by Emperor Sarsa Dengel, his uncle.

Susenyos I spent most of this period as shifta in his father's province of Gojjam fighting off raids by Oromos.

When Susenyos I went to Walaqa, he helped the governor against the Oromo who were invading the province at the time.

However, Susenyos I soon abandoned the governor and joined the Oromo in their attack on the province.

Once the Oromo accepted him Susenyos I took control of Walaqa.

Susenyos I fled with his Oromo warriors and Za-Dengel had to be content with the large amounts of loot he took from them.

Meanwhile, Emperor Susenyos I was preoccupied with raiding parties of the Oromo.

An initial encounter with the Marawa Oromo near the upper course of the Reb River ended in a defeat for the Ethiopian advance guards; Susenyos I rallied his men and made an attack which scattered the Oromo.

The hostilities between the two kingdoms increased when the governor of the Mazaga, Aleko, who was a servant of Emperor Susenyos I, fled to Sennar with a number of the Emperor's horses and kettledrums.

Susenyos I complained of this to Badi, who refused to reply; further insulting him.

Susenyos I finally sent Bahr Negus Gebre Mariam to attack Mandara, whose queen controlled a strategic caravan road from Suakin.

Susenyos I' reign is perhaps best known as the brief period in Ethiopian history when Catholic Christianity became the official religion.

Susenyos I hoped to receive a new contingent of well-armed European soldiers, this time against the Oromo, who were ravaging his kingdom, and to help with the constant rebellions.

Susenyos I showed the Jesuit missionaries his favor by a number of land grants, most importantly those at Gorgora, located on a peninsula on the northern shore of Lake Tana.

In 1613, Susenyos I sent a mission heading for Madrid and Rome, led by Jesuit priest Antonio Fernandes.

Susenyos I withdrew privileges given to the sons of nobility and favored Jesuit-educated boys from outlying regions.

Susenyos I avoided their first attempt to assassinate him at court, but while he was campaigning against Sennar they raised a revolt, calling to their side "all those who were friends to the Alexandrian faith".

However, Susenyos I had returned to Dembiya before the rebels expected, and quickly killed Julius.

Yimena Krestos held out a while longer on Melka Amba in Gojjam, before Af Krestos captured him and brought him to Dankaz where Susenyos I had his camp; here the Emperor's brother was tried and sentenced to banishment.

Susenyos I attempted one more campaign against the rebels, only to find his men mutinous.

Susenyos I was buried at the church of Genneta Iyasus.

Susenyos I had one official marriage, with Wald Saala, a princess from the ancient Christian family of the rulers of Walaqa and Mahrabete.