Amda Seyon I's expansions

Motivated by religious, commercial, and territorial factors, Amda Seyon's first conquests were Gojjam and Hadiya in 1316, and the forced seizure of the Enderta Province, where there was resistance.

[1] The emperor also annexed Muslim kingdoms, although his empire collected tribute from more or less autonomous regions instead of imposing direct control.

One of his first actions during his reign was to bring the Tigray Province under his control by forcibly confirming the legitimacy of his Amhara-ruled dynasty, despite opposition from religious and political leaders in Axum.

In Enderta, there was a movement for a resistance, particularly among the descendants of Yekuno Amlak, since the governor of the region held almost independent power and did not want to grant land to Amda Seyon in 1319.

The 14th-century national epic Kebra Nagast further elaborated on Amda Seyon's expansions, describing them as quick and successful.

[4] During the initial phase of the empire's expansion, the first kingdom to submit was Damot, followed by Shewa.By 1316, Amda Seyon had subjugated the Gojjam Province and Hadiya.

[5] In the northwest, Amda Seyon campaigned against the Jews of semien, who posed a stiff resistance against him but were eventually subdued.

[19] The Emperor the advanced deep into the east, entering the lands of the peoples of Adal, Mora, Tiqo, Paguma, Labakala, Wargar and Gabala who all banded together to fight his armies.

[20] He then defeated the combined army of Adal, Mora, Harla Kingdom, Zeila and Dawaro at the Battle of Das, where he killed its leader, Salih.

[29][30] According to historian Mohammed Hassen, the conquests of Amda Seyon made the Amhara the dominant regional power, although they did not lay the proper foundations for the building of a nation or the marriage of cultures.