World History
Gondar the Camelot of Ethiopia - Includes legends associated with Gondar, comparisons to Camelot, description of its castles, Fasiladas and other rulers of the Gondar Period, and medieval paintings. Also has pictures of castles and paintings. The format of the text is strange but it is readable if you work at it.
From the site:
Gondar, founded by Emperor Fasilidas around 1635, is famous for its many medieval castles and the design and decoration of its churches - in particular, Debra Berhan Selassie which represents a masterpiece of the Gondarene school of art.
Famous though Gondar may be, however, no one knows exactly why Fasilidas chose to establish his headquarters there. Some legends say an archangel prophesied that an Ethiopian capital would be built at a place with a name that began with the letter G. The legend led to a whole series of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century towns - Guzara, Gorgora and finally Gondar. Another legend claims that the city was built in a place chosen by God. Apparently, He pointed it out to Fasilidas who was on a hunting expedition and followed a buffalo to the spot.
Flanked by twin mountain streams at an altitude of more than 2,300 meters Gondar commands spectacular views over farmlands to the gleaming waters of Lake Tana thirty-five kilometers to the south. The city retains an atmosphere of antique charm mingled with an aura of mystery and violence. An extensive compound, near its center contains the hulking ruins of a group of imposing castles like some African Camelot. The battlements and towers evoke images of chivalrous knights on horseback and of ceremonies laden with pageantry and honor. Other, darker, reverberations recall chilling echoes of Machiavellian plots and intrigues, tortures and poisonings.
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I found this informative article at ezinearticles.com. As the site allows for the reproduction of articles by blogs and other websites, I am going to go ahead and reprint it here. The author of the article is Will Kalif. ----------------------------------------------...
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World History
Gondar the Camelot of Ethiopia
Gondar the Camelot of Ethiopia - Includes legends associated with Gondar, comparisons to Camelot, description of its castles, Fasiladas and other rulers of the Gondar Period, and medieval paintings. Also has pictures of castles and paintings. The format of the text is strange but it is readable if you work at it.
From the site:
Gondar, founded by Emperor Fasilidas around 1635, is famous for its many medieval castles and the design and decoration of its churches - in particular, Debra Berhan Selassie which represents a masterpiece of the Gondarene school of art.
Famous though Gondar may be, however, no one knows exactly why Fasilidas chose to establish his headquarters there. Some legends say an archangel prophesied that an Ethiopian capital would be built at a place with a name that began with the letter G. The legend led to a whole series of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century towns - Guzara, Gorgora and finally Gondar. Another legend claims that the city was built in a place chosen by God. Apparently, He pointed it out to Fasilidas who was on a hunting expedition and followed a buffalo to the spot.
Flanked by twin mountain streams at an altitude of more than 2,300 meters Gondar commands spectacular views over farmlands to the gleaming waters of Lake Tana thirty-five kilometers to the south. The city retains an atmosphere of antique charm mingled with an aura of mystery and violence. An extensive compound, near its center contains the hulking ruins of a group of imposing castles like some African Camelot. The battlements and towers evoke images of chivalrous knights on horseback and of ceremonies laden with pageantry and honor. Other, darker, reverberations recall chilling echoes of Machiavellian plots and intrigues, tortures and poisonings.
- Lalibela - Ethiopian King
Lalibela - Ethiopian KingWhen the Axumite empire, believed to have been established by the son of King Solomon and the queen of Sheba, fell in the 11th century, the Zagwe dynasty took power. Of non-Solomonic origins, the Zagwe moved the Ethiopian capital...
- How Urban Legends Work
Howstuffworks has an informative essay up on How Urban Legends Work. It was written by Tom Harris. Urban legends often become a part of folklore and history. What urban legend circulated today will be considered a historical fact by future historians?...
- Siege – How To Take A Medieval Castle When You Don't Have A Catapult
I found this informative article at ezinearticles.com. As the site allows for the reproduction of articles by blogs and other websites, I am going to go ahead and reprint it here. The author of the article is Will Kalif. ----------------------------------------------...
- Medieval Castle Siege Weapons
Medieval Castle Siege Weapons - Site focused on medieval castles, siege engines, knights and other aspects of medieval warfare. Of particular interest are several special sections relating to Dungeons & Dragons and The Lord of the Rings. Many people have...
- Topcastles
Topcastles - Robert Rongen presents images and brief details of hundreds of medieval castles, sorted by country, region and castle type. Includes a quick guide to castle types with plans, and a list of the top 100 castles, as rated by surfers. Most of...