Ethiopian Empire

The Ethiopian Empire, also known as Abyssinia, was a state in the Horn of Africa that encompassed the present-day territories of Ethiopia and Eritrea. It was founded around 1270 CE with the establishment of the Solomonic dynasty by Yekuno Amlak, who claimed descent from King Solomon. The empire maintained a kingdom centered on its ancient Christian heritage, despite being surrounded by hostile forces. It expanded significantly under emperors like Amda Seyon I and Dawit I, becoming a dominant force in the Horn of Africa. The empire reached its peak under Emperor Zara Yaqob, who consolidated conquests and centralized imperial authority. It dissolved on March 12, 1975, following a 1974 coup d'état.