State

Zagwe dynasty

from c. 940 CE · 10th century · Also known as Zagwe

The Zagwe dynasty was a ruling dynasty of the northern Ethiopian highlands that rose to power after the decline of Aksum, from around 940 CE according to the chronology. It is best known for the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, built under its king of that name. The dynasty was overthrown in 1270 by Yekuno Amlak, founder of the Solomonic dynasty of the Ethiopian Empire.

Zagwe dynasty
Image: Taddesse Tamrat · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Mentioned in 2 profiles

Aksumite EmpireImpact, DeclineEthiopian EmpireFoundation

State page: history, lineage and connections →

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Zagwe dynasty. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/zagwe-dynasty
MLA
“Zagwe dynasty.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/zagwe-dynasty. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Zagwe dynasty.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/zagwe-dynasty.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Zagwe dynasty’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/zagwe-dynasty (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻