Latest / The History of Portugal: The Small Nation That Built a Global Empire — Fexingo History
The Portuguese Horse and the Ethiopian Alliance That Never Was
In 1541, a small Portuguese expedition of 400 musketeers and horsemen landed in Ethiopia to aid Emperor Gelawdewos against the Muslim conqueror Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi. This episode explores the complex alliance between two ancient Christian kingdoms, the Battle of Wayna Daga, and the role of Portuguese matchlock men in turning the tide. We discuss the myth of Prester John, the diplomatic mission of Rodrigo de Lima and Pêro da Covilhã, and how the alliance ultimately failed to deliver lasting results, leaving Ethiopia isolated once more. A story of faith, gunpowder, and missed imperial…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.