The Kingdom of Ethiopia
Background
Christianity arrived in Ethiopia during the Kingdom of Aksum, and King Ezana adopted Christianity as the official religion in 333 CE, not long after Emperor Constantine of the Roman Empire ended the persecution of the Christians. The most popular story connected to the region is the ancient account of the Queen of Sheba. As told in the Old Testament, she travelled from Aksum to Jerusalem to meet the famed King Solomon (King of the Israelites) in Jerusalem. Although there is no evidence that the Queen of Sheba did come from Aksum, and the queen's very existence is disputed among historians, it has become part of the Ethiopia's national saga.
Lalibela
The Zagwe Dynasty was a medieval dynasty that ruled Ethiopia until 1270. Little is known about this dynasty, but it left a lasting mark on Ethiopia with its 11 rock-hewn churches that remain centers of pilgrimage. Commissioned by King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, the churches were created to recreate the holy city of Jerusalem. It took 24 years to build all the 11 rock hewn churches.
Above: Fasil Ghebbi, Emperor Fasilides' royal complex at Gondar.
Ethiopian Empire
In 1270, nobleman Yekuno Amlak, with help from the nearby Sultanate of Shewa, overthrew the ruling dynasty in Ethiopia and established the Ethiopian Empire, claiming direct descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Ethiopia became a dominant force in the region, creating conflict with nearby Islamic sultanates. As a Christian kingdom, Ethiopia appealed to Portugal for support against the powerful Muslims, forging an alliance that helped Ethiopia defeat the powerful Adal Sultanate (which was supported by the Ottoman Empire). At this point, the Portuguese began sending Jesuit missionaries to Ethiopia in an attempt to expand Roman Catholic influence there, upsetting the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition. In response, Emperor Fasilides expelled the Jesuits and moved the capital to Gondar, ushering in the "Gondarine Period." It was a golden age of prosperity, expanded trade, and achievements in the arts, architecture, and innovation. Ethiopia became a trade powerhouse in the region, and emperors constructed impressive castles and cathedrals and commissioned religious murals and manuscripts.