East, Central & Southern AfricaAfrica

Zagwe dynasty

c. 1137 – 1270 CE · about 133 years approximate dates

The Zagwe dynasty ruled the Ethiopian highlands after the decline of Aksum. King Gebre Meskel Lalibela commissioned the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. The Solomonic dynasty overthrew it in 1270.

Key facts

Dates	c. 1137 – 1270 CE
Region	East, Central & Southern Africa
Continent	Africa
Capital	Roha (Lalibela)
Religion(s)	Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity

Note on dates: Some traditions date the dynasty much earlier, from about 900.

Before & after

Preceded by

Kingdom of Aksum

Followed by

Ethiopian Empire

Sources

Wikipedia – Zagwe dynasty

Dates follow widely used reference works; many ancient dates are approximate or debated. Neutral summary for general reference.