"Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world. Beginning with the Aksumite Empire, this book traces the country's expansion southward during medieval times, its resistance to Muslim invasion, and, under energetic leaders, the defense of its independence during the European colonization of Africa. Rather than exploring only the major figures -- kings, princes, and politicians -- this volume also includes insights on daily life, art, architecture, religion, culture, customs, and observations by travelers." Publisher's description

Includes maps of: Ancient Ethiopia; Medieval Ethiopia; Modern Ethiopia; Provinces, 1946-1980; Federal Ethiopia since 1994.

Note of dates and names -- Glossary -- Acronyms -- Layers of time: the geological and human foundations of Ethiopia -- The Aksumite Empire: Ethiopia as a world power -- Medieval Ethiopia: isolation and expansion -- Ordeal, recovery, decline: Ethiopia and the world around it on the threshold of modern times -- The Empire from atrophy to revival: the era of the Princes and Tewodros II -- Yohannes IV and Menelik II: the Empire restored, expanded, and defended -- The rise of Haile Selassie: time of troubles, regent, emperor, exile -- Ethiopia in the modern world: Haile Selassie from triumph to tragedy -- Revolution, war, and "socialism": the first decade of the Derg -- The end of the Derg: the victory of the Northern Guerrilla movements -- Ethiopia resurgent: on the threshold of the 21st century -- Bibliographic guide to further reading