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Dawit II and the Portuguese Alliance
Description
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the reign of Emperor Dawit II (Lebna Dengel) of Ethiopia, a monarch who faced the devastating jihad of Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi (Ahmed Gurey) and desperately sought European aid. They discuss the Ethiopian embassy to Portugal in 1512, the arrival of Portuguese artillery and soldiers in 1520, and the dramatic battles that followed. The conversation covers the role of the Portuguese commander Cristóvão da Gama, the Ethiopian queen Sabla Wangel, and the eventual alliance that helped turn the tide. Lucas also delves into the cultural and religious tensions between the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Portuguese, foreshadowing future conflicts. No prior knowledge needed—just a love for history and a curious mind.