David Ier of Ethiopia

See also: David Ier

David Ier or Dawit, Négus of Ethiopia of 1382 with 1411. Wire junior by Saïfa-Arad, it succeeds his older brother Néouya-Maryam.

It transfers its capital more to the south, with Jédaya (Yalabacha). It fights the Musulman S of the Ifat directed until in 1386 by Hak ED-DIN II then by Saad ED-DIN II. Inside, of the religious quarrels the Christians the ones against the others draw up.

David Ier accommodates an embassy of the emir Hanéfite of Egypt, and sends in return to the sultan Barkuk twenty-two camels in charge of present. He will obtain Jerusalem a piece of True Cross and various paintings, among which famous the Kouérata-Reésou representing the figure of the Christ crowned of spines.

In 1402, David Ier sends a rich person embassy to Venice. In thanks, the doge sends in Ethiopia architects and artists florentins who will build the church of Débra-Ouork, in the Godjam, the Abbey of Gold.

Venetian merchants reach Ethiopia at the end of the 14th century. They mention the town of Asmara and that of Axoum, where a beautiful basilica is of which the interior is covered of gold: “it is in this city that all the kings are crowned who are vassal of the Priest-Jean”. The route names the province of Angot, then that of the Choa, where king David resides, attested of 1382 to 1411. The manuscript adds a short lexicon of authentic Ethiopian words.

David Ier abdicates in 1411 in favor of Théodoros Ier of Ethiopia, which is the elder one of its four sons, which will be successively emperors.

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