The Ethiopians: A History

ISBN-13: 9780631224938 / Angielski / Miękka / 2001 / 320 str.

Richard Pankhurst

Opis

The book opens with a review of Ethiopian prehistory, showing how the Ethiopian section of the African Rift Valley has come to be seen as the "cradle of humanity."

Recenzje

"Clear, balanced and well informed, drawing on the latest sources to valuable effect, especially in references to archaeological work." Times Literary Supplement

"Richard Pankhurst′s contribution to The Peoples of Africa series will be a useful tool for students and general readers who are new to Ethiopian history." Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies

"The Ethiopians makes an excellent introduction to the fascinating past of Ethiopia." Danny Yee′s Book Reviews – For the full text of this review please visit: http://dannyreviews.com/h/Ethiopians.html

"... excellent, based on current scholarship, factual and replete with the type of generalizations necessary for a good tertiary study." Journal of African History

Spis treści

List of Plates.

List of Maps.

Series Editor′s Preface.

Table of Dates.

Maps.

1. Prehistory and Geography.

2. Punt, Pharaohs and Ptolemies, the Aksumite Kingdom, and the Coming of Christianity.

3. The Zagwé Dynasty, Lalibala Churches, and Solomonic ′Restoration′.

4. Life in the Middle Ages, Contacts with Muslim Neighbours and Far–off Christians.

5. Ahmad ibn Ibrahim, Oromo Migration, and Ottoman Seizure of Massawa.

6. The Move of Capital North–West, and the Roman Catholic Interlude.

7. The Rise and Fall of Gondar.

8. The Early Nineteenth–Century, and the Advent of Téwodros II.

9. Yohannes, Menilek, and the European Powers.

10. Beginnings of Modernisation, Menilek, Iyasu, Zawditu, and Haile Sellassie.

11. Invasion, Occupation, and Liberation.

12. Restoration and Revolution.

Bibliography.

Index.

O autorze

Richard Pankhurst who has lived in Ethiopia for over thirty years, is Professor at the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa. His most recent books include A History of Ethiopian Towns from the Middle Ages to the Early Nineteenth Century (1982) and A Social History of Ethiopia (1990), and History of the Ethiopian Borderlands: Essays in Regional History (1997).

Blurb

This is a history of the Ethiopians from pre–history to the present day. Drawing on research in archeology, anthropology, linguistics and on recent historiography, the book charts the development of Ethiopian peoples and their society, placing emphasis on the African origins of Ethiopian civilization.

The book opens with a review of Ethiopian prehistory, showing how the Ethiopian section of the African Rift Valley has come to be seen as the "cradle of humanity". It describes, for instance, the discovery of the remains of the oldest known hominid, "Lucy", in the middle Awash Valley, in 1974. The book then discusses Ethiopia in biblical time, reconsidering, for example, the legend of the Queen of Sheba. The author examines the various dynasties that ruled in the period up to the first Portuguese mission, and explores the subsequent political and religious struggles between Christians, Muslims and Falashas. He discusses the social and economic effects of key stages in Ethiopian history such as the Gondar period and the era of the "Judges".

The book also examines the succession of modernizing monarchs that followed, culminating in the rule of Emperor Haile Selassie. The book concludes with a review of Ethiopian history and culture considering contemporary Ethiopia within an historical context.