Ethiopians?

[Will9]

The only non-Island nation to have always ruled itself.

If your talking about Japan

 

[Nikis-Knight]

Ethiopia might qualify as the only civ in the game that ever adopted a Jewish state religion... right? Isn't there something in their history about that?

Their Christianity was much more heavily influenced by Judaism then European Christianity was. It wouldn't be a bad fit for them to prefer Judaism, though Christianity fits them better, of course.

 

[ZB2]

Still, whats so great about them compared to the Summerians being the first to invent the Wheel?

And you expect me to visit their leader and not fall through a wormhole laughing at the fact Im gifting him every food resource on the planet and his cities are still going to starve.
Moderator Action: Trolling and fix your signature. Using *'s in place of profanity is still unacceptable.
Please read the forum rules: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=422889

 

[Bakuel]

I always find it odd that must people’s knowledge of Ethiopia is simple that African civ that escaped European colonization. While this is note worthy and praise able of course. I personally think that it’s almost ridiculous that a civilization with over two thousand years of history would be summed up as this.

Alongside the Arabian kingdoms, India, and of course the most important of the India Ocean trade civs China.
Ethiopia was an important part of trade in the India Ocean. I once read that many black slaves or “Zanj” or “Siddi” went through Ethiopian ports to be shipped to Arabia and India. Also Ethiopian coins have been found in India since at lest around 300 AD, proof enough that they weren't simple "De half-naked africans trading in thee arabic portz" (A common misconception). Here is a interesting link with a picture of a African merchant in India and a small blurb about the Janjeera people, believed to be of Ethiopian origin. http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/people/1097.htm

There are very many other things about the Ethiopian people. The second oldest Christian nation and it would later become a small ship of Christianity in an ocean of Islam etc. As for culture, the orthodox Ethiopian church has a history that is, interesting to say the lest. However in this post I just focused on the international things of Ethiopia, their role in the trade routes of the India Ocean.

To the thread starter and others (I’m looking at you ZB2 ): Ethiopians were a part of a different world then most Europeans know about, an India ocean world. Since this part of the history of the old world has nothing to do with Europeans, you probably would not learn about it in any western school. However, if you are looking for something different and like history, you should read about the India trade routes and the nations that dealt in them. You’ll learn about many things, how the Chinese where an “industrial” powerhouse: Chinese goods were sought after all over the Indian Ocean. I even read they dug up Chinese plates in far off Zimbabwe. About Arabic and Ethiopian merchants and many other things. This is a part of old world history, sadly enough, that is often forgotten in the west. You should read about the India Ocean before the Dutch, nations such as Ethiopia would then not seem so foreign and insignificant in world history.

Sorry for the long post and rant, but I hate it how a people with such a long and diverse history and culture are often ignored. Good Lord, I could write a book about this.

 

[bonafide11]

Still, whats so great about them compared to the Summerians being the first to invent the Wheel?

And you expect me to visit their leader and not fall through a wormhole laughing at the fact Im gifting him every food resource on the planet and his cities are still going to starve.

That was very inappropriate. Although you were clearly trying to make a joke, the only thing that people are laughing at now is your ignorance. Show some respect for a Civilization that has lasted thousands of years and has way more history and culture to it than the images you see on TV.

Next time, think before you speak...

 

[bonafide11]

I always find it odd that must people’s knowledge of Ethiopia is simple that African civ that escaped European colonization. While this is note worthy and praise able of course. I personally think that it’s almost ridiculous that a civilization with over two thousand years of history would be summed up as this.

Alongside the Arabian kingdoms, India, and of course the most important of the India Ocean trade civs China.
Ethiopia was an important part of trade in the India Ocean. I once read that many black slaves or “Zanj” or “Siddi” went through Ethiopian ports to be shipped to Arabia and India. Also Ethiopian coins have been found in India since at lest around 300 AD, proof enough that they weren't simple "De half-naked africans trading in thee arabic portz" (A common misconception). Here is a interesting link with a picture of a African merchant in India and a small blurb about the Janjeera people, believed to be of Ethiopian origin. http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/people/1097.htm

There are very many other things about the Ethiopian people. The second oldest Christian nation and it would later become a small ship of Christianity in an ocean of Islam etc. As for culture, the orthodox Ethiopian church has a history that is, interesting to say the lest. However in this post I just focused on the international things of Ethiopia, their role in the trade routes of the India Ocean.

To the thread starter and others (I’m looking at you ZB2 ): Ethiopians were a part of a different world then most Europeans know about, an India ocean world. Since this part of the history of the old world has nothing to do with Europeans, you probably would not learn about it in any western school. However, if you are looking for something different and like history, you should read about the India trade routes and the nations that dealt in them. You’ll learn about many things, how the Chinese where an “industrial” powerhouse: Chinese goods were sought after all over the Indian Ocean. I even read they dug up Chinese plates in far off Zimbabwe. About Arabic and Ethiopian merchants and many other things. This is a part of old world history, sadly enough, that is often forgotten in the west. You should read about the India Ocean before the Dutch, nations such as Ethiopia would then not seem so foreign and insignificant in world history.

Sorry for the long post and rant, but I hate it how a people with such a long and diverse history and culture are often ignored. Good Lord, I could write a book about this.

Good post... I'd like to see more intelligent posts like this and less of the ignorant ones...

 

[Ecofarm]

For those of you interested in Indian Ocean trade, check out 'Fort Jesus' (in Kenya).

 

[TheLastOne36]

Ethiopia is damn important. WTH are you talking about?

 

[Swein Forkbeard]

Isn't Ethiopia the oldest African nation?

The bad news is that I would have prefered the name Abyssinia if the leader was going to be anybody other Haile Selassie I.

At least I get to play as Ethiopia and Cambodia now.

Now let's theorize their city list, shall we?

Addis Ababa
Dire Dawa
I don't know what afterwards, maybe Mogadishu and/or Asmara later on?

 

[Swein Forkbeard]

It's very good to see another African civ. Ethiopia is a very good choice imho because of their very long history and the fact that they are the only African civilization that never became a European colony.

If that's true, than Thailand/Siam should have been the SE Asian civ instead of Cambodia/Kampuchea/Khmerland

@Will9: The picture's is great, but why are we including pictures of Douglas McArthur taking over Hirohito's job in a forum about ETHIOPIA?!

 

[NYHunter]

I agree. Siam/Thailand or Vietnam would have been great.

If that's true, than Thailand/Siam should have been the SE Asian civ instead of Cambodia/Kampuchea/Khmerland

Because he thought I was talking about Japan so as a counter he showed the picture to get his point across.

@Will9: The picture's is great, but why are we including pictures of Douglas McArthur taking over Hirohito's job in a forum about ETHIOPIA?!

 

[Psyringe]

If that's true, than Thailand/Siam should have been the SE Asian civ instead of Cambodia/Kampuchea/Khmerland

I dont regard the Khmer as a bad choice but I actually would have preferred Siam instead of TETHLOTAAHSNBN (The Empire That's Hijacking Lots Of Threads Already And Hence Shall Not Be Named). However ...

@Will9: The picture's is great, but why are we including pictures of Douglas McArthur taking over Hirohito's job in a forum about ETHIOPIA?!

... why are we discussing Siam/Cambodia in a thread about ETHIOPIA?

 

[TheLastOne36]

Because he thought I was talking about Japan so as a counter he showed the picture to get his point across.

So who were you talking about?

 

[Swein Forkbeard]

I dont regard the Khmer as a bad choice but I actually would have preferred Siam instead of TETHLOTAAHSNBN (The Empire That's Hijacking Lots Of Threads Already And Hence Shall Not Be Named). However ...



... why are we discussing Siam/Cambodia in a thread about ETHIOPIA?

At least Cambodia is a new civ, while Japan is not.

 

[ZB2]

Ethiopia though... I wait to read the civilopedia and see what the writer firaxis hired has typed about them. Vastly unconvinced they are a good choice.

 

[Monty Python Ni]

Ok, I found a date that says on May 9, 1936, Italy annexed Ethiopia after a successful invasion... Sounds like they were conquered to me... Their ruler even fleed the country to French Somaliland

 

[Psyringe]

Ethiopia though... I wait to read the civilopedia and see what the writer firaxis hired has typed about them. Vastly unconvinced they are a good choice.

Well, in that case Firaxis is following a long-term plan and must have hired most historians ... and done so for several decades now.

Don't let the current public image of Ethiopia as a poor nation struck by war and famine fool you. As the Kingdom of Aksum, Ethiopia was a major power. Also, don't forget that Ethiopia is considered as one of the possible cradles of man.

Also, the advice to read up on Indian ocean trading is actually a very good one. There are several civilizations involved that we Europeans usually have never heard about, simply because they never affected European powers seriously, although they were powerful in their time. I mean, which European has *ever* heard of the Munhumutapa Empire? Yet, its history would certainly warrant a Munhumutapa/Rozvi civilization over the Zulus ...

 

[ZB2]

Yeah long standing independence compared to one that invented the first wheel.. or the one that build giant pyrmids.. or a giant wall that strectched, well, far.

Ill live with it. I hope hes a good negotiator for war

 

[ParkCungHee]

Italy did NOT ever successfully defeat Ethiopia. They failed in the late nineteenth century, and they eventually failed again under Mussolini during WWII.

Er, no. Mussolini invaded Ethiopia prior to WWII, in 1935. by 1936, The entire country was occupied and placed under a governor general. Hallie Sellasie returned in 1940 after the English drove out the Italians. Saying the Italians never ruled Ethiopia is like saying the Germans never ruled Czechoslovakia.

 

[Monty Python Ni]

Er, no. Mussolini invaded Ethiopia prior to WWII, in 1935. by 1936, The entire country was occupied and placed under a governor general. Hallie Sellasie returned in 1940 after the English drove out the Italians. Saying the Italians never ruled Ethiopia is like saying the Germans never ruled Czechoslovakia.

Yeah, I was pretty sure they got Ethiopia...