He was regarded as a founder of a local dynasty in his native Merhabete, from where he initiated wars of reconquest of Shewan territories against the Oromos.
There were unbroken links with the empire, and the Christian regeneration took place well before the better known case of the Menz dynasty of his Shewan Amhara contemporary, Negasi Krestos.
Detached from the imperial army by the order of his majesty, dejazmach Demetros destroyed a fortress in Dabot, seizing glory that day.
[3] On the 8th day, Demetros further distinguished himself by taking a mountain settlement called Maskot, which previous emperors and commanders failed to conquer.
In March 1699, at the conclusion of yet another campaign against the Oromo, Iyasu stripped Demetros of his appointment as Sahafe Lam of Shewa, and reduced his territorial control to his homeland, the district of Merhabete.