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Zara Yaqob: The Theologian Emperor Who Forged Orthodox Ethiopia
Description
Step into the 15th century reign of Emperor Zara Yaqob, a ruler who was as much a theologian as a warrior. This episode explores how he centralized the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, convened the Council of Debre Mitmaq, and personally authored theological texts like the Mashafa Berhan. We trace his brutal suppression of the Stephanite heretics, his victory over the Adal Sultanate at the Battle of Gomit in 1445, and his promotion of the Kebra Nagast as a national epic. Along the way, we uncover his founding of Debre Berhan, his complex relationship with monasticism, and his lasting imprint on Ethiopian identity. Join Lucas and Luna for a deep dive into a pivotal but often overlooked emperor who shaped the faith and politics of the Solomonic dynasty.