Confronted with an unwavering Roman siege, 960 Jewish rebels opted for a fate worse than capture: mass suicide.
This courageous resistance against oppression has transcended time, resonating across continents and centuries. 1868, echoes were found at another mountaintop stronghold: Mekdela Amba in Ethiopia.
A Tale of Two Mountain Strongholds:
History is filled with tales of resistance, where brave souls stand against overwhelming odds.
Two such stories unfold against the backdrop of dramatic mountain fortresses – Masada in Israel and Mekdela Amba in Ethiopia. Though geographically distinct, both sites share a narrative of defiance engraved in stone.
Masada, perched atop a dizzying plateau and encircled by sheer cliffs, stood as a natural bastion for Jewish rebels during the First Jewish-Roman War (66-73 AD).
The Romans acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Masada's rugged terrain. Scaling its steep slopes and treacherous cliffs was daunting, affording the defenders a notable advantage.
Picture taken on December 1, 2020, shows the ancient hilltop fortress of Masada in the Judean desert, with the Dead Sea pictured in the background. - Masada was the mountain fortress constructed by King Herod that was occupied by Jewish rebels after the Jewish revolt in the first century. The rebels defended themselves from a Roman army for months. When it appeared that the Romans would finally conquer the fortress, hundreds of rebels committed suicide rather than be taken prisoner by the Romans. Credit: MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images
They coerced these captives to pile up deposits on one side of the mountain, effectively creating a makeshift pathway to enhance their siege and subsequent attack.
While this location is not explicitly referenced in the Bible, it is believed to be where David sought refuge from King Saul, as described in 1st Samuel 23:14.
A Final Stand at Mountaintop Sanctuaries:
For months, the rebels on Masada heroically repelled Roman attacks, using the steep slopes and treacherous cliffs to their advantage.
However, their defences slowly crumbled under the overwhelming Roman might. Yet, even as their mountaintop sanctuary's walls seemed destined to collapse, their indomitable spirits refused to yield.
Across the continent, in Ethiopia, a comparable narrative unfolded over a millennium later.
Emperor Tewodros II, grappling with internal and external pressures, sought refuge in Mekdela, a flat-topped mesa locally referred to as an 'amba'.
This elevated mesa, characterised by its sheer cliffs and daunting terrain, provided a natural stronghold so formidable that even monkeys would find it challenging to navigate.
Atop this rugged mountain, Tewodros harnessed the fortress's natural defences, augmented by his Sebastopol cannon, and displayed remarkable bravery in confronting a British expedition.
This expedition, led by General Robert Napier, consisted of 32,000 Anglo-Indian troops armed with state-of-the-art weaponry.
The Unrelenting Strength of a Mesa:
The Mekdela Amba was a formidable fortress, characterised by its steep terrain and singular access point, which offered a natural defensive advantage.
Emperor Tewodros fortified his position by orchestrating the transportation of the formidable Sebastopol cannon across 320 kilometres from Gafat.
This arduous journey spanned six and a half months, traversing treacherous landscapes and enduring attacks from bandits. Weighing a staggering 8,000 kilograms, this cannon's arrival significantly augmented Mekdela Amba's defences, bolstering its ability to withstand external threats.
Owing to its strategically secure location, Mekdela Amba has served dual roles as a stronghold and a prison throughout history.
The War in Abyssinia: Magdala from the Dalanta Plain 1868. Credit: Sepia Times/Sepia Times/Universal Images Gro
Notably, even the future Emperor Menelik II experienced captivity within the confines of Mekdela before executing a daring escape in 1865, underscoring the fortress's reputation as an impregnable prison.
A Shared Legacy of Resistance:
While the geography of Masada and Mekdela Amba differs, they share a more profound bond – a testament to the human spirit's unyielding will in the face of oppression. In both instances, the occupants chose death over surrender, a tragic but powerful symbol of defiance.
The Heartbreaking Choices:
Nearly a thousand defenders of Masada committed mass suicide to deny the Romans the satisfaction of capturing them.
Husbands were entrusted with the excruciating duty of killing their wives and children before taking their own lives. Likewise, Emperor Tewodros II opted for self-sacrifice rather than submitting to the British army.
The War In Abyssinia: King Theodore, As He Lay Dead At Magdala, April 13, 1868. Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty
Masada is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today, a weighty reminder of the Jewish people's resilience.
Visitors can explore the archaeological remains and glimpse the lives of those who made their final stand.
Cable car to Masada in the Judean Desert of Israel. Credit: UCG/UCG/Universal Images Group via G
Lessons Learned from Mekdela:
Four core lessons can be gleaned from the legacy of Theodros's sacrifice.
First, a strong will coupled with strategic planning can significantly accelerate a country's development.
Second, it underscores the importance of defending national sovereignty to thwart foreign invasion.
Third, it highlights the repercussions of failing to collaborate and reconcile differences with domestic counterparts before confronting external threats.
Lastly, it emphasises that the rule of force and brutality is transient, not enduring.
Unwavering perseverance and strength in confronting challenges are paramount.
However, the peril that accompanies unchecked tyranny is immense. Authorities at every administration level, from the grassroots to the national leadership, must diligently heed this lesson.
A Call to Action:
As we approach the 156th anniversary of the Battle of Magdala, which will be celebrated on April 13th, we must unite in calling for the plateau, akin to Masada, to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Such recognition would serve several crucial purposes.
Firstly, it would greatly amplify the breadth and depth of its historical significance.
Secondly, it would exert pressure to repatriate the hundreds of looted cultural artifacts currently housed in the British Museum and other locations in England rather than pursuing their retrieval individually. (Here, we acknowledge the invaluable contributions of individuals and institutions that have played significant roles in recovering many looted heritages).
Thirdly, the current state of Emperor Tewodros's tombs and other historical sites at Mekdela, marked only by a few stones, is lamentable.
Revitalising these sites to provide comfort for visitors could yield significant economic benefits, directly or indirectly contributing to the development of the area and its people.
The tale of Emperor Tewodros and the Magdala Amba has been exalted through various mediums such as theatre, renowned actors, historical books, paintings, songs, and political discussions—a commendable tribute.
However, this saga's actual value and significance will be fully realised when it is experienced firsthand on the very ground where history unfolded.
To achieve this, the paramount endeavour must be to secure the plateau's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This task is not to be deferred to tomorrow, for it may soon be too late if it remains unaccomplished.
Sources
Josephus, F. (1928). Josephus: The Jewish War (Vol. 3). Translated by Thackeray, H. St. J. Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Marcus, H.G. (1994). A History of Ethiopia. University of California Press, Berkeley, California.
Matthies, V. (2012). The Siege of Magdala: the British Empire against the Emperor of Ethiopia. Markus Wiener Publishers. Princeton, NJ.
Zewde, B. (2002). A History of Modern Ethiopia, 1855–1991. Ohio University Press. Athens
ብላቴን ጌታ ህሩይ ወልደስላሴ (1999 ዓም)። የኢትዮጵያ ታሪክ ከንግሥተ ሳባ እስከ ታላቁ የአድዋ ድል። አዲስ አበባ
ጳውሎስ ኞኞ (1985) አጤ ቴዎድሮስ። አዲስ አበባ፤ ቦሌ ማተሚያ ድርጅት።
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* Daniel Kasahun, Ph., periodically contributes articles to various Ethiopian publications, utilising a geographical lens and analytical tools. For inquiries, please email him at daniel.kassahun@gmail.com.
