Summary of A History of Ethiopia by Harold G. Marcus considering Tigray

Mekelle,Narobi,Pretoria,London, March ፡9፡2025 (Tigray Herald)

Summary of A History of Ethiopia by Harold G. Marcus considering Tigray

By Batseba Siefu

Harold G. Marcus’ A History of Ethiopia explores Ethiopia’s complex past, and Tigray plays a crucial role throughout the narrative.
From the Axumite civilization to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Tigray has been central to Ethiopia’s political, religious, and military developments.

Key Tigray-Centered Themes

1. The Axumite Empire: Tigray’s Ancient Civilization (c. 100 BCE – 700 CE)

• Tigray was home to the Axumite Kingdom, one of Africa’s great civilizations.
• Axum (Aksum), located in present-day Tigray, was a major trade hub linking Africa, the Middle East, and India.
• Christianity was adopted in the 4th century under King Ezana, making Tigray the center of Ethiopian Orthodoxy.
• The famous Axumite obelisks, inscriptions, and Ge’ez script originated in Tigray, influencing Ethiopian culture.
• The fall of Axum (7th-8th century) led to a shift in power southward, reducing Tigray’s influence for centuries.

1. The Solomonic Dynasty and the Decline of Tigray (1270 – 1769)

• The Solomonic Dynasty (1270) claimed legitimacy through Axumite traditions but moved the political center south.
• Tigray’s role diminished as power shifted to Amhara and Shewa, though Tigrayan nobility remained influential.
• Religious conflicts affected Tigray, as Islamic invasions (16th century) devastated the region.
• Portuguese assistance (1540s) helped Emperor Gelawdewos defeat the Muslim leader Ahmed Gragn, preserving Christian rule.
• Tigrayan monasteries, such as Debre Damo, played a major role in preserving Ethiopia’s religious identity.

1. Yohannes IV and the Tigrayan Renaissance (1872 – 1889)

• Emperor Yohannes IV (r. 1872-1889) was the first Tigrayan ruler to lead Ethiopia in centuries.
• He fought against Egyptian, Sudanese, and Italian invasions, defending Ethiopian sovereignty.
• Yohannes IV promoted Ethiopian unity under Christianity but faced internal power struggles.
• The Battle of Metemma (1889) led to Yohannes’ death, causing a shift in power to Menelik II of Shewa, marginalizing Tigray.

1. Tigray’s Struggles and Marginalization (1889 – 1974)

• Menelik II centralized power in Addis Ababa, reducing Tigray’s influence.
• The Treaty of Wuchale (1889) led to Italy’s control over Eritrea, cutting off Tigray from the Red Sea.
• The Battle of Adwa (1896) saw significant Tigrayan participation in defeating Italy, but power remained with Menelik.
• Under Haile Selassie (1930-1974), Tigray suffered from economic neglect, famine, and land exploitation.
• The Woyane Rebellion (1943), an early Tigrayan uprising, was crushed by Haile Selassie’s forces with British assistance.

1. The Tigrayan Resistance and the Fall of the Derg (1974 – 1991)

• After Haile Selassie’s fall in 1974, Ethiopia came under Derg military rule, led by Mengistu Haile Mariam.
• Tigray became the heart of resistance, with the formation of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in 1975.
• The Red Terror (late 1970s) saw mass killings in Tigray by the Derg regime.
• The 1983-1985 Famine devastated Tigray, worsened by government policies restricting aid.
• In 1991, the TPLF-led Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) overthrew the Derg, bringing Tigrayans to power.

Conclusion

Tigray has played a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s history—from the ancient Axumite Empire to modern resistance movements. Despite periods of marginalization, Tigray has remained central to Ethiopian identity and politics.