Yetbarak

Yetbarak was the Emperor of Ethiopia, and a member of the Zagwe dynasty. According to Taddesse Tamrat, he was the son of Gebre Mesqel Lalibela.[1]

Yetbarak
Reign	13th century
Predecessor	Na'akueto La'ab
Successor	Yekuno Amlak
Dynasty	Zagwe dynasty
Father	Gebre Mesqel Lalibela

History

Tradition states that Yetbarak ascended to the throne after his father King Lalibela had taken the crown away from his first choice of successor, Yetbarak's cousin Na'akueto La'ab. Taddesse Tamrat argues that this tradition is based on an official version of events, and theorizes that Na'akueto La'ab had fought with Yetbarak for the throne, and despite initial success Yetbarak became king in the end.[2]

Taddesse Tamrat also suggests that Yetbarak was the same individual known in the "official hagiographical tradition" as Za-Ilmaknun, the king of the Zagwe dynasty whom Yekuno Amlak killed and succeeded. Tamrat notes that Za-Ilmaknun is translated as "The Unknown, the hidden one", an "esoteric term" that has "become a useful escape mechanism in denying that the king killed by Yikunno-`Amlak had anything to do with Lasta."[3]

References

1. Taddesse Tamrat, Church and State in Ethiopia (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1972), p. 56n.
2. Taddesse Tamrat, pp. 62-4.
3. Taddesse Tamrat, p. 68 n. 1.