# Emperor Yohannes IV: Ethiopia's Unifier Against Egypt and Italy

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ethiopia-s-ancient-empire-africa-s-hidden-superpower-fexingo-history-7829654/emperor-yohannes-iv-ethiopia-s-unifier-against-egypt-and-italy
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ethiopia-s-ancient-empire-africa-s-hidden-superpower-fexingo-history-7829654/emperor-yohannes-iv-ethiopia-s-unifier-against-egypt-and-italy.md
Podcast: [Ethiopia's Ancient Empire: Africa's Hidden Superpower — Fexingo History](https://stenobird.com/podcast/ethiopia-s-ancient-empire-africa-s-hidden-superpower-fexingo-history-7829654)
Published: 2026-06-30T12:59:24+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/ethiopias-ancient-empire/episode-0131.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/ethiopias-ancient-empire/episode-0131.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/ethiopia-s-ancient-empire-africa-s-hidden-superpower-fexingo-history-7829654/episodes/emperor-yohannes-iv-ethiopia-s-unifier-against-egypt-and-italy
Duration seconds: 580

## Resource

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the reign of Emperor Yohannes IV, a Tigrayan ruler who reunited Ethiopia after the Zemene Mesafint and faced down both Egyptian and Italian colonialism. They discuss his coronation at Axum, his victories at Gundet and Gura against Egypt, the Treaty of Adwa of 1884, and his fatal campaign against the Mahdists at the Battle of Metemma. They also examine his complex relationship with Menelik of Shewa and the shifting alliances that shaped modern Ethiopia. Specific details include Yohannes's adoption of the title 'King of Kings of Ethiopia,' the role of British officer John Kirk, and the use of the term 'dägga' for the Ethiopian highlands. The conversation touches on the geopolitical context of the Scramble for Africa and how Yohannes's legacy paved the way for Menelik II's victory at Adwa. #YohannesIV #EthiopianEmpire #BattleOfGundet #BattleOfGura #TreatyOfAdwa #BattleOfMetemma #ZemeneMesafint #ScrambleForAfrica #Tigray #MahdistWar #MenelikII #Axum #JohnKirk #KhedivateOfEgypt #ItalianColonialism #SolomonicDynasty #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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