In the late 12th century AD, Lalibela overthrew his brother Harbay to become Emperor of Bǝgwǝna, known today as the Zagwe Empire. Before his rise to power, Lalibela was exiled by his brother and, according to several manuscripts, travelled to Jerusalem. There, he was inspired by its architecture, and upon hearing of Jerusalem’s capture by Saladin in 1187, he sought to replicate its design in Ethiopia. He named his new capital Roha, derived from the Arabic name *al-Ruha*, which referred to the city of Edessa (First Crusader State).
Lalibela then began constructing the renowned 11 rock-hewn churches, a monumental project said to have taken over 23 years, according to traditional accounts. The first group of churches was dedicated to the heavenly Jerusalem, including Bet Ammanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Libanos, Bet Gabriel, and Bet Lehem. The remaining five were dedicated to the earthly Jerusalem: Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Meskal, Bet Golgotha, Bet Dengel, and Bet Mariam.
After Lalibela’s reign, his nephew Ne’akuto Le’ab succeeded him, only to be overthrown by Lalibela’s son, Yitbarek, the last emperor of the Zagwe dynasty. During Lalibela’s time, foreign sources began to link the empire’s heritage with the legendary Queen of Sheba and Moses. Additionally, the power of provincial governors, particularly the Amharas in the south, grew significantly.
1 Comment
In the late 12th century AD, Lalibela overthrew his brother Harbay to become Emperor of Bǝgwǝna, known today as the Zagwe Empire. Before his rise to power, Lalibela was exiled by his brother and, according to several manuscripts, travelled to Jerusalem. There, he was inspired by its architecture, and upon hearing of Jerusalem’s capture by Saladin in 1187, he sought to replicate its design in Ethiopia. He named his new capital Roha, derived from the Arabic name *al-Ruha*, which referred to the city of Edessa (First Crusader State).
Lalibela then began constructing the renowned 11 rock-hewn churches, a monumental project said to have taken over 23 years, according to traditional accounts. The first group of churches was dedicated to the heavenly Jerusalem, including Bet Ammanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Libanos, Bet Gabriel, and Bet Lehem. The remaining five were dedicated to the earthly Jerusalem: Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Meskal, Bet Golgotha, Bet Dengel, and Bet Mariam.
After Lalibela’s reign, his nephew Ne’akuto Le’ab succeeded him, only to be overthrown by Lalibela’s son, Yitbarek, the last emperor of the Zagwe dynasty. During Lalibela’s time, foreign sources began to link the empire’s heritage with the legendary Queen of Sheba and Moses. Additionally, the power of provincial governors, particularly the Amharas in the south, grew significantly.
[I wrote an article about it, if you want to read more.](https://habeshahistory.com/habesha-history/zagwe-dynasty-part-2-emperor-lalibela/)