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European maps of Eritrea's Medri Bahri kingdom:
1570 Portuguese map (written as 'Barnagasso', Latinized for Bahri Negasi)
1683 Portuguese map (written as 'Midra Bahr' & colored in yellow)
1776 French map (written as 'Midra Bahr' & colored in purple)
1570 Portuguese map (written as 'Barnagasso', Latinized for Bahri Negasi)
1683 Portuguese map (written as 'Midra Bahr' & colored in yellow)
1776 French map (written as 'Midra Bahr' & colored in purple)
Medri Bahri (Land of the Sea) was an Eritrean kingdom between the 13th-19th century. Its capital was in Debarwa. What made this kingdom so unique was the people of Medri Bahri elected their kings to power. Once elected, the king was bestowed the title of Bahri Negasi (Sea King).
Medri Bahri's Borders:
The Sea Kings of Medri Bahri claimed their western & eastern borders stretched from Suakin (E. Sudan) to the Gates of Tears (near Djibouti). To its north, the kingdom was bounded by the Red Sea & to its south, by the Mereb & Setit (Tekeze) rivers
The Sea Kings of Medri Bahri claimed their western & eastern borders stretched from Suakin (E. Sudan) to the Gates of Tears (near Djibouti). To its north, the kingdom was bounded by the Red Sea & to its south, by the Mereb & Setit (Tekeze) rivers
Allies & foes
Medri Bahri's closest ally was the Funj kingdom. Its enemies included the Tigray & Begemedir kingdoms, whom collectively were referred to by the 16th-century Portuguese geographic term of 'Abyssinia'. The locals did not use this word. The Ottomans were also a foe
Medri Bahri's closest ally was the Funj kingdom. Its enemies included the Tigray & Begemedir kingdoms, whom collectively were referred to by the 16th-century Portuguese geographic term of 'Abyssinia'. The locals did not use this word. The Ottomans were also a foe
