#RACE_Abyssinians
^The Abyssinians are $LINK<commercial and religious=GCON_Strengths>. They start the game with the discoveries
$LINK<Ceremonial Burial=TECH_Ceremonial_Burial> and $LINK<Pottery=TECH_Pottery> and build
$LINK<Abyssinid Camels=PRTO_Abyssinid_Camel> instead of normal $LINK<Horsemen=PRTO_Horseman>.
^
^ According to tradition, the Abyssinian kingdom was founded (10th century B.C.) by Solomon's first son, Menelik I, whom the
Queen of Sheba is supposed to have borne. Thus this makes Ethiopia the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the
most ancient in the world. For centuries Abyssinia controlled much of the Red Sea coast and had links with the
Mediterranean world. In the 4th Century under King Ezana, Abyssinia was converted to Christianity.
^ With the rise of Islam in the 7th century, Abyssinia declined, mainly because its land contacts with the Byzantine Empire
were severed and its control of the Red Sea trade routes was ended. In 1530-31, Ahmad Gran, a Muslim Somali leader,
conquered much of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian emperor Lebna Dengel appealed to Portugal for help against the Somalis
(a Portuguese embassy had reached the Ethiopian court in 1520). The Somali war exhausted Ethiopia, ending a period of
cultural revival and exposing the empire to incursions by the Oromo. For the next two centuries the Ethiopian kingdom,
centered at Gondar, was beset by ruinous civil wars among princes and again isolated from the outside world.
^ The reunification of Ethiopia was begun in the 19th century by Tewodros II, who conquered Amhara, Gojjam, Tigray, and
Shoa, and in 1855 had himself crowned emperor as Tewodros II. He began to modernize and centralize the legal and
administrative systems. In 1867 tensions developed with Great Britain, and a British military expedition under Robert Napier
was sent out. The emperor's forces were easily defeated near Magdala and to avoid capture, Tewodros committed suicide.
A brief civil war followed, and in 1872 a chieftain of Tigray became emperor as Yohannes IV.
#DESC_RACE_Abyssinians
^ In 1889 a succession crisis ensued, eventually resulting in the king of Shoa crowned as emperor Menelik II.
Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1895 but was decisively beaten by Menelik's forces at the battle of Adwa, March 1, 1896. Legend has it that Ethiopian nomadic mountain warriors of the Galla tribe since before 1000 A.D. would mix berries (coffee) with animal fat
to give them energy before battles. These "Galla" warriors were noted for being among the most ferocious in Abyssinia, much like the ones that dealt the Italians their defeat.
^ During his reign, Menelik greatly expanded the size of Ethiopia, adding the provinces of Harar, Sidamo, and Kaffa. After
making Addis Ababa his capital in 1896, he began to modernize his military, government, developed the economy and built his
country’s first railroad.
^ In 1913, Menelik died from ill health and Iyasu became Emperor of Abyssinia/Eithiopia. He spent much of his time trying to improve relations
in his nation between the sizeable Muslim minority population and the Christian majority, instead of continuing the program of
modernization. His attempts to improve relations with the muslims greatly displeased the nobility, and the Orthodox Clergy believed he was preparing to convert Eithiopia to Islam; and fearing this the Nobles and Clergy ovethrew Iyasu and selected Zawditu
to be their new leader.
^ Zawditu, as Empress of Abyssinia/Eithiopia continued the program of modernization begun by Menelik II. Her continuation
of Meneliks' reforms and the creation of her own lead her to become known as the Mother of modern Eithiopia. After 13 years of her rule, she died, the circumstances of her death are subject of heated debate to this day. After her death tensions between Italy and Eithiopia began to escalate once again and on Oct. 3, 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia once more.
^ The Italians quickly defeated the Ethiopians, Addis Ababa was captured and Haile Selassie fled the country.
In 1941, during World War II, Haile Selassie regained his throne with the help of British and South African Forces.
In 1945, Ethiopia became a charter member of the United Nations.
Heres my entry if anyone wants it. Its a wee bit embellished to make it a bit more significant in relation to the reign of Zawditu; but otherwise accurate.
Thank you for that Oz.