Sebestyanos

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Sebestyanos (c.1703 - c.1718) was a ruler of Shewa, an important Amhara noble of Ethiopia. He was one of the sons of Negasi Krestos. Abir states that he ruled for 15 years, although noting that Harris claims he ruled for 25 years, and Rochet 33.¹

Established his capital at Doqaqit. He was killed 6 March 1719.

Pankhurst states that during his reign Shewa clearly expanded its boundaries at the expense of their Oromo rivals. As a result, he founded a number of towns, including Doqaqit, 'Ayne, and Eyabar.²

Although his father Negasi Krestos failed to gain the grant of the title of Meridazmach from Emperor Iyasus I, Sebestyanos assumed the title. He continued the conquests of his father in upper Yifat.³

[edit] Notes

1. Mordechai Abir, Ethiopia: The Era of the Princes; The Challenge of Islam and the Re-unification of the Christian Empire (1769-1855) (London: Longmans, 1968), p. 147 n.1.
2. Richard P.K. Pankhurst, History of Ethiopian Towns: From the Middle Ages to the Early Nineteenth Century (Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner Verlag, 1982), p. 186.
3. Abir, pp. 146f.

Preceded by: Negasi Krestos

Rulers of Shewa

Succeeded by: Qedami Qal