Gondarine period

Fasil Ghebbi one of the more important castles of the era

TheGondarine period(alt.Gondarian) was a period ofEthiopian historybetween the ascension ofEmperorFasilidesin 1632 and a period of decentralization in 1769, known as theZemene Mesafint( "Era of the Princes" ).

Gondarwas founded by Emperor Fasilides in 1636 as a permanent capital, and became a highly stable, prosperous commercial center. This period saw profound achievements inEthiopian art,architecture,and innovations such as the construction of the royal complexFasil Ghebbi,and 44 churchesthat were established aroundLake Tana.In the arts, the Gondarine period saw the creation ofdiptychsandtriptychs,muralsandilluminated manuscripts,mostly with religious motifs.

The death ofIyasu Iin 1706 began the slow decline in Gondar’s supremacy. Emperor Iyasu I's regent, EmpressMentewab,brought her brother Ras Wolde Leul to Gondar and made himRas Bitwaded.After this andIyasu II’s death in 1755, brief dynastic conflicts occurred between Mentewab'sQuaregnochand theYejjugroups led by Wubit.

The Gondarine period ended whenTigraygovernor RasMikael SehulassassinatedIyoas Iin 1769 which marked the beginning of the country's decentralized Zemene Mesafint period, which lasted until EmperorTewodros IIreunified theEthiopian Empirein 1855 in itsmodern form.

History

Contemporary painting of EmpressMentewabatNarga SelassieChurch (18th century)

Established in 1636 by EmperorFasilidesas the permanent capital of theEthiopian EmpirenearAxumandLalibela,Gondarbecame a commercial and religious center, with Ethiopian traders calledJeberti,and experienced a period of renewed stability in theSolomonic dynasty.The Gondarine period saw numerous innovations, including the development of Christianiconography.The earliest style of art lasted until the early 18th century and was noted for its warmth of color, careful finish and richness of design.Gondar possessed favorabletrade routesleading south of theBlue Nileand to northwestern regions likeMassawaandSudan.Gondar also became renowned for the architecture of the imperial palaces, collectively known asFasil Ghebbi.

Fasilidessought to establish diplomatic relations with theZaydiimam of YemenAl-Mutawakkil Isma'ilfrom 1642 to 1647, in order to establish trade routes that bypassed Ottoman-held Massawa, but was ultimately unsuccessful.During this period, theAgawrebellion inLastarecurred, started bySusenyos.

In 1637, the leader Melka Kristos entered his palace to reclaim his throne, to which Fasilides quickly responded by dispatchingQegnazmachDimmo, governor ofSemien,and his brother Gelawdewos, governor ofBegemder.Kristos was eventually defeated atLibo.In the following year, he marched to Lasta, where and retreated to the mountain stronghold there; "almost the whole army perished amidst the mountains, great part from famine, but a greater still from cold,” according to writer James Bruce.

After EmperorIyasu I’s death in 1706, Gondar began to decay as most Gondarine emperors preferred luxurious city life to spending time in politics.Empress Regent of Emperor Iyasu I,Mentewab,brought her brother Ras Wolde Leul to Gondar and made him Ras Bitwaded. AfterIyasu II’s death in 1755, brief dynastic conflicts occurred between Mentewab's Quaregnoch andYejjuWollo groups led by Wubit. In 1757, Tigray governor RasMikael Sehuloccupied Gondar. His wish was to not only become emperor but to consider himself the real leader of the Gondarine period. EmperorIyoas Iwas an infant at that time who had no power.In 1769, Ras Mikael Sehul successfully killed Iyoas and crowned 70-year-oldYohannes II,ushering in the decentralizedZemene Mesafint(Era of Princes) era.

Arts

Gondarine art drew on theByzantine world’s religious motifs, with elements includingilluminated manuscripts,murals,andiconsfromdiptychandtriptychs.Diptych painting by the author Walda Mariam also contributed to the EgyptianMonastery of Saint Anthonymurals. The diptych painting of the Passion of Christ in Qaha Iyasus exemplifies a desire of visual imagery in Ethiopian art.Gondarine art was also influenced by WesternBaroqueandRenaissancepaintings through prints brought by the Jesuits in the 16th or 17th century.

Scholars classify Gondarine art into two phases: the first used bright colors and an absence of shading, while the second used darker shades of color that developed during the reign ofIyasu II.

Jesuits

EmperorSusenyos Ireceiving Portuguese JesuitAfonso Mendes

Upon the abdication of his fatherSusenyos I,who permitted theCatholic Church in Ethiopiaasstate religionfrom 1622, Fasilides sought to expel allJesuitsfrom Ethiopia and restore the state primacy of theEthiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churchin his empire. In 1622 JesuitAfonso MendesandJerónimo Lobo,were forcefully expelled under death penalty by Fasilides, toFremona.During the early 18th century, a fewFranciscanandCapuchinfriars sponsored by the Roman missionary agencySacra Congregatio de Propagandalived there for some years. Among them were Franciscan Giuseppe Maria di Gerusalemme,Remedius Prutky(who left a valuable report on the city), and the Jesuits Grenier and Paulet.

Architecture

See also:List of Gondarine churches

Pictorial diagram of Fasil Ghebbi

One of the most iconic works of Gondarine architecture was a royal complex known asFasil Ghebbiand 44 churchesthat were built aroundLake Tanaincluding Adababay Iyasus, Adababay Tekle Haymanot, Atatami Mikael, Gemjabet Mariyam, Fit Mikael and Qeddus Abbo.Fasilides was also credited with building seven stone bridges including the Sebrara Dildiy bridge over the Blue Nile. Fasilides contributed a new church at the Cathedral ofChurch of Our Lady Mary of ZionatAxum,named "Old Cathedral" which stands next to the newer cathedral built by Emperor Haile Selassie.According to legend, theEthiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churchwould be constructed by the name of letter "G".As a result, the Emperor behind Fasilides often built stone castles inGorgora,Gomange, Guzara and Gannata Iyasus. After becoming aware of the fact, the scenario of urban life in Ethiopia was conceptualized by building more royal camps with replacement of semi-itinerants royal tents to stone and mortar.

The arrival of the Portuguese in the mid-16th century also influenced the architecture style in the Gondarine era, primarily through the building fortress and defense castles. During Roman Catholic state administration underSusenyos,he employedArab,Gujarati (brought by the Jesuits) and their masonic style with local masons, such asBeta Israel.Turkish architecturealso influenced Gondarine architecture throughOttomanincursions, which further increased the prevalence of defense buildings and castles in the area. The style continued to prevail in Fasilides' reign through the Gondarine period and the 17th and 18th century, and went on to influence 19th century design.

Philosophy

Ethiopian philosophers likeZera Yacob,known for his treatise on religion, morality, and reason, known asHatataandWalda Heywatbecame prominent at this time.