How did the Kebra Nagast support the authority of the Solomonic dynasty?

The Kebra Nagast ("Glory of the Kings"), an Ethiopian national epic composed in the 14th century, served as a vital ideological instrument to legitimize the Solomonic dynasty and unify the Ethiopian state.12

The text supported the dynasty's authority through several key claims:

• Divine Lineage: It established a genealogical link between the Ethiopian monarchs and the biblical King Solomon by recounting the story of his union with the Queen of Sheba (Makeda). Their son, Menilek I, was presented as the founder of the dynasty.31
• Religious Legitimacy: By associating Ethiopia with the Judeo-Christian tradition, the work provided a sacred basis for rule. It famously details the tradition that Menilek I transferred the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Aksum, cementing the nation's spiritual significance.24
• Political Consolidation: The Kebra Nagast was used to challenge the legitimacy of the preceding Zagwe dynasty, which ecclesiastical texts accused of lacking "Solomonic" blood. By codifying this narrative, the Solomonic rulers effectively secured the support of influential monastic churchmen and provided a foundation for national unity under a Semitic-oriented culture.2