Solomonic Dynasty

The restored Solomonic lineage started in 1270 with Emperor Yekuno's declaration to be the lineal descent Menelik I, offspring of King Solomon and Queen Makeda (Queen of Sheba or Queen of Saba). All succeeding Ethiopian rulers confirmed their having full filial rights and obligations by birth to Yekuno Amlak and, by that means, to King Solomon and Queen Makeda. The information known today about the Solomonic Dynasty comes from a combination of Egyptian, Syrian, and Abysinian text. The Kebra Nagast, a royal chronicle compiled in Abyssinia in the 14th century, warrants the reestablishment of the Solomonic line. A good portion of the book is consigned to the origin of Emperor Menelik I who was the son of King Solomon and Queen Makeda.

In conformity with the legend, Queen Makeda ventured from Abyssinia to Jerusalem to examine and acquire from the wise and great rule of King Solomon. Queen Makeda was proselytized to Judaism and she gained knowledge and understanding of Middle Eastern statecraft by study, instructions, and experience. When Queen Makeda resolved to go back to Abyssinia, King Solomon persuaded her to have super with him in his imperial palace. While staying over for the night, she was compelled to go to bed with the king. In his dreams that night the king saw that the Queen would beget him a son, and that God’s blessings would be with him and his country. When the child, Menelik I, eventually grew to be a man, he journeyed to King Solomon and was proclaimed Emperor of Ethiopia by King Solomon.

This tale is also partly retold in the bible in 1 Kings 10, 1-13:

[1] And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
[2] And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
[3] And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.
[4] And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,
[5] And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
[6] And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
[7] Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.
[8] Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.
[9] Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
[10] And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
[11] And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.
[12] And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.
[13] And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.

During the high point of the restored Solomonic dynasty, strict regulations were set over all the Christian territorial division of the kingship, also embodying surrounding areas. There were successful connected series of military operations forming a district phase of a war against Muslim provinces, which acquired the dynasty power over the trade routes to the Red Sea. The expansion also led to the spread of Christianity in the southern highlands. The Orthodox Church rearranged to strengthen its religious practices, and nonbelievers were converted. Imperial control was reinforced over what was a disorganized administrative state.

List of Rulers of the Solomonic restoration
1270-85 Yekuno Amlak
1285-94Yigba Tseyon
1299-1314Widim Ra'ad
1314-44Amda Tseyon
1344-72Sayfa Arad
1372-82Newaya Maryam
1382-1411Dawit I
1411-14Tewodros
1414-29Yeshaq
1434-68Zara Ya'qob
1468-78Baeda Maryam
1478-94Eskender
1494-1508Na'od
1508-40Lebna Dengel
1540-59Galawdewos
1559-63Minas
1563-97Sarsa Dengel
1597-1603Ya'qob
1603-04Za Dengel
1604-07Ya'qob
1607-32Susenyos
1632-67Fasiladas
1667-82 Yohannes I
1682-1706 Iyasu I, the Great
1706-08 Takla Haymanot I
1708-11 Tewoflos
1711-16 Yostos
1716-21Dawit III
1721-30Bakaffa
1730-55Iyasu II
1755-69Iyoas