Zara Yakub

Died 1468. Emperor of Ethiopia after 1434 under the royal name of Constantine (Kuastantynos). Zara Yakub’s rule was a period of intensive struggle with feudal separatism and national movements, which took the form of heresies, as well as with Muslim states on the territory of Ethiopia. Zara Yakub made reforms strengthening imperial power and centralization; the church was united and subordinated to the control of the emperor. Zara Yakub established monasteries and military settlements on the borders of his territory. He was a patron of Ethiopian church literature and himself wrote works of a religious and political character.