An Argument for Beta Israel(Semien) Independence in 1444

[Aelia]

I'd like to argue that Beta Israel should be independent at game start, I'll use mainly those sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_Israel#Political_independence_.284th_century_.E2.80.93_1632.29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Semien

and the Hebrew one which goes further into details:

https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/תולדות_ביתא_ישראל:_1270–1529#.D7.94.D7.A7.D7.99.D7.A1.D7.A8_.D7.93.D7.95.D7.95.D7.99.D7.AA_.D7.94.D7.A8.D7.90.D7.A9.D7.95.D7.9F_.D7.95.D7.99.D7.95.D7.A8.D7.A9.D7.95

Don't think I need to do much explaining considering the Era is explicity called
"Political independence (4th century – 1632)" but I'll anyways:

In 1444, the Semien Kingdom was practically sovereign. It had a king, it had an army and it was actively fighting a war against the Ethiopian Empire under Yeshaq, sometimes invading foreign territory outside of Lake Tana and the mountains of Semien. The Jews lost an important battle at Weger which resulted in the loss of their main source of income, the fertile farmlands and they were pushed back to the mountains but they didn't stop fighting nor did the Kingdom of Semien cease to exist, that would happen only 200 years later. By 1450 the Jews managed to annex back all the territories they lost to Emperor Yeshaq. Only in 1462 the Ethiopian Empire was able to defeat them and even then he didn't manage to fully incoporate all their lands. Only in 1642 in the reign of Emperor Susenyos the Kingdom was finally annexed and defeated for good.

Also, here a translation of the introduction of the page titled "The Chronoicles of Beta Israel" in Hebrew Wikipedia:
"The years 1270-1529 are known as the "Survival Era". This era begun with the Solomonid dynasty ascension to the throne and the overthrow of the Zagwa Dynasty. The overthrow of the Zagwa was ominous for the people of Beta Israel, but they refrained from intervening. Afterwards, after the strengthening of Ethiopia (The empire), it fought a war of extermination against the Jews. Despite all of that, the Jews managed to keep their independence in the mountains of Semien and around Lake Tana. This era [Of Survival] ended in the invasion of Adal Sultanate to Ethiopia, signifying the start of the "Defeat Era"[1529-1630], in which the Jews were once aside the Muslims and once aside the Christians."

Another relevant part in this page is Eliyahu of Ferrara letter from 1435, it reads like this: Beta Israel is an independent kingdom ruled by ministers and kings. It has an army with which it fights the Axumites [Refering to the non-Jewish Ethiopians] he even writes that the Jews "are making fun of Christianity" and then he goes on to describe the unique language they use which he hasn't heard before.

 

[Philadelphus]

3) Just noticed the flag of Ennarea, which is basicaly just a golden cross on green background. I can offer something better:

Ohhh, so that's why you left that comment about Ennarea's flag being changed in the future to a more historical version on my flag vectorization video. I was very confused as to where that was coming from. A pity; it's one of my favorite flags in the game at the moment, but I'd rather see something historical there if we have it.

 

[LinusLinothorax]

^ Yeah, historicity goes over fanciness. I also need to find a better alternative for the Kaffa flag. The current one is just a copy of the flag of modern SNNPR, which is obviously not exactly appropriate.

By the way, just wanted to confirm that Damot was not a thing in 1444 anymore. As expected, it was abolished by Amda Seyon during the early 14th century:

Something else: I would still suggest to get rid of the government type "Tribal Kingdom". I see "Tribal" as some placeholder term for "primitive" or "primal", but I can't see much primitive about the Mali Empire, Alodia etc.

 

[Philadelphus]

^ Yeah, historicity goes over fanciness.

Oh, I fully agree. At least I'll still have the copy of the current one I made.

 

[Zerodv]

^ Yeah, historicity goes over fanciness. I also need to find a better alternative for the Kaffa flag. The current one is just a copy of the flag of modern SNNPR, which is obviously not exactly appropriate.

By the way, just wanted to confirm that Damot was not a thing in 1444 anymore. As expected, it was abolished by Amda Seyon during the early 14th century:

Something else: I would still suggest to get rid of the government type "Tribal Kingdom". I see "Tribal" as some placeholder term for "primitive" or "primal", but I can't see much primitive about the Mali Empire, Alodia etc.

I always thought the concept of "tribal" and "kingdom", however vague they are, are antithetical to one another.

 

[Santos Valorion]

How about having them as a vassal, but with high liberty desire?

This might be the most fun way to represent it in the game.

Also there are so many sources saying different things it makes me question just how much we actually know about the region at the time. Like which side is documenting the history, the Jews ,the Ethiopians or some other nation. Some of the history is possibly biased one way or the other
I have also not read the book by Steven Kaplan, but there seems to be many opinions. The best option in my opinion is the fun way, to make the game more interesting.
BUT if someone wants to find out there is second book The Evolution of the Ethiopian Jews: A History of the Beta Israel by James Arthur Quirin and also other sources that you can find on Wikipedia, and before you say don't trust Wikipedia they source Steven Kaplan's book, so the information might suck but they do have sources.
LINKs for Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Semien
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_Israel

Otherwise I would say a +50 liberty desire like with Denmark and Sweden and I would also go for the rebels.

 

[Semi-Lobster]

Nice to see you're still around Semi-Lobster

Hey Trin, sorry about the late reply, I'm back! And full of useless historical minutiae!