Alternative History
Arab-Ethiopian War
Part of Abbasid Colonization of Africa
YagbeaSionBattlingAdaSultan

Abbasid and Ethiopian armies at the Battle of Amhara
Date August 1551-March 1555
Location East Africa
Result Abbasid victory
Territorial
changes
Ethiopia annexed to the Caliphate
Belligerents
CaliphateFlag Abbasid Caliphate

Mogadishu Swahili Sultanate

Coat of arms of Ethiopia Ethiopian Empire
Oromo Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Caliph Al-Rahim I

Ayyob Al-Rajul

Tasfa Giyorgis

Amda Mikael
Emperor Eskender

Strength
235,000 Abbasid troops
22,000 Swahili troops
200,000 Ethiopian troops
8,000 Oromo troops
Casualties and losses
115,000 Abbasid troops
8,000 Swahili troops
186,000 Ethiopian troops killed
4,000 Oromo troops killed
14,000 Ethiopians enslaved
4,000 Oromo enslaved
160,000 civilians killed

The Arab-Ethiopian War was a conflict in East Africa between the Muslim Abbasid Caliphate and the Coptic Empire of Ethiopia. Originally a war of conquest against the last stronghold of Christianity on the continent, the war ultimately spiraled into a much bloodier conflict, ultimately sparking the Humanist movement in the Caliphate. After the war, although Ethiopia was annexed, the Caliphate quickly transitioned to an elective system of government as a result.

Background[]

Coptic Christianity in the Caliphate[]

Threats from Ethiopia[]

Preparations for War[]

Course of the War[]

Amhara Valley[]

The Blue Nile[]

Push for Lake Tana[]

Aftermath[]

Legacy[]

The Humanist Movement[]

Conditions in the War[]

Amharic Sojourn[]