Amba Geshen

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Amba Geshen is a mountain located in the Ethiopian Amhara Region, northwest of Dessie in the former district Amba Sel the province of Wollo. He is one of the mountains, on which many of the male heirs were interned to the imperial throne ( Negus ) - usually for life. From three mountains (or amba ) served this purpose, he was the second. The rest were Debre Damo and Wehni.

Tradition

From an unknown date in the history of Ethiopia, it was a tradition that, as soon as an emperor ascended the throne, his brothers and other male relatives led to the royal prison where they either died or lived up to their own throne. According to some traditions, this custom was introduced during the Zagwe Dynasty, others report but from an even earlier time. The first certain mention of this practice comes from the reign of Jin Asgad who held captive on Amba Geshen his brothers and own sons. Use Amba Geshens as a prison was ended by the emperor Na'od I.. However, Manuel de Almeida argues that "those who have been there before," were guarded up to the reign of Emperor Claudius. Even then there were still descendants of Emperor Takla Mariam for treason against the emperor Ba'eda Mariam behind lock and key.

The Emperor took advantage of this natural fortress as a treasury, even then, as the mountain had long ceased served as a royal prison. The Muslims under Ahmed Gragn tried several times to take Amba Geshen. The Futuh al - Habasha reported from the first ( in November 1531) and second ( 1533) start. The last attempt, in 1540, finally was successful and Ahmed Gragn had assassinated the entire garrison and all the inhabitants. Thomas Pakenham stated that today's Ethiopians believe that the cross of Christ was buried by Saint Helen on Amba Geshen.

The first Europeans, the Amba Geshen was mentioned, Francisco Álvares, the witness was, as an escaped prince was brought back to Amba Geshen. However, the first European who gave a detailed description of the mountain was Almeida:

Almeidez adds that were on the top of a natural pool and a source of water, which were covered by Koso and Zegba and wild cedars. He mentions two churches: From Egzyabeher, built by Emperor Lalibela, and Tekle Maryam, whose construction was started by Emperor Na'od and was completed by his son, Lebna Dengel. This survived the ravages Ahmed Gragns. As Pakenham 1955 Amba Geshen visited, but he found both churches renewed with tin roofs.

Another inaccurate portrayal of Amba Geshen, entitled Mount Amara was published in Purchas, His Pilgrimage. Pakenham believes that this John Milton inspired to his description of Paradise in Paradise Lost.