Gelawdewos of Ethiopia

Gelawdewos or Claudius (1522 - March 23, 1559) was negus negust (throne name Asnaf Sagad I) (1540 - 1559) of Ethiopia, and a member of the Solomonid dynasty. He was a younger son of Dawit II by Sabla Wengel.

Related Topics:
1522 - March 23 - 1559 - Negus negust - 1540 - Ethiopia - Solomonid dynasty - Dawit II - Sabla Wengel

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His reign was dominated by the struggle with Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi, until Ahmad's defeat and death in the Battle of Wayna Daga on February 21, 1543. Gelawdewos devoted time and energy to rallying his people against Ahmad, a determination his chronicler credits prevented Ahmad's forcible conversions from being permanent. With Ahmad's death, Gelawdewos was not only able to eject the leaderless Muslim forces from his domains, but also forced them out of Bale.

Related Topics:
Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi - Battle of Wayna Daga - February 21 - 1543 - Muslim - Bale

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However, while campaigning against the Agaw in Gojjam later in his campaign, Nur ibn Mujahid once again invaded Ethiopia. Gelawdewos responded, at one point capturing Harar, where Sultan Barakat ibn Umar Din of Adal was killed, the last member of the Walasma dynasty.

Related Topics:
Agaw - Gojjam - Nur ibn Mujahid - Harar - Barakat ibn Umar Din - Adal - Walasma dynasty

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Jesuit missionaries arrived in his realm, attempting to convert Ethiopia to Catholicism. In response to their arguments, he wrote his Confession, which defended the Monophysite doctrine.

Related Topics:
Jesuit - Catholicism - Monophysite

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Ethiopia's access to the outside world was severely crippled during his reign in 1557, when the Ottoman Empire conquered Massawa. From that point forward, dignitaries and missionaries to Ethiopia had to travel in disguise to avoid Muslim authorities. This also allowed the Ottomans to block the Ethiopians from importing firearms.

Related Topics:
1557 - Ottoman Empire - Massawa - Muslim - Firearms

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He was killed responding to another invasion by Nur on March 23, 1559.

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