The Ethiopian Royalty's claim of Solomonic Descent?

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What is the truth behind the Ethiopian Royalty’s claim to descent from King Solomon?

It is claimed that the Queen of Sheba was from Ethiopia and that she allegedly had a son with Solomon named “Menelik”. I’ve also heard it claimed Pope Pius XI recognized the Ethiopian royalty as Solomonic descent and the Ethiopian king as the “Lion of Judah” in 1923. Is this true?
 
It’s all a very attractive legend which can’t be proven by reliable documentation or by archaeology… but who knows. It is an old legend and Ethiopia has a long, long and unusual connection with Israelites and Judah (many claim descent from the lost tribes of Israel) but also with Christanity.

I wouldn’t rule out that it is true but I can’t imagine Pope Pius XI making any official stance on it. I’d like to know for sure though.

Rove
 
??

rastas claim this, I don’t know about the Ethiopian Orthodox.

There is a book called the “Kebra Negast” or something you could check in to.

Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari), who I believe took this title, was not THE Lion of Judah, obviously—

whether it’s permissible for another to be called that, I claim ignorance-- I don’t feel comfortable calling him that.

P.S. I don’t know the credibility of the above book.
 
You know they also claim that Solomon gave the Ark to his Ethiopian son, and that they have it today. There’s a chapel it’s supposed to be held in and, interestingly, most of the priests who guard it have, from what I’ve read, developed cataracts and died early.
 
rastas claim this, I don’t know about the Ethiopian Orthodox.
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to clarify, this corresponds to the ? in the OP about the Solomon/Bathsheba line–I would like to look into this too to see if it’s true.
 
The story of melanik has been on television. Which means nothing of course. But, I’ve always heard that the church of Ethiopia holds onto the ark of the covenant. There also was a rumor that they were going to allow some kind of viewing. Anyone else here this?
 
Any other thoughts on this? Does anyone know about the credibility of Kebra Nagast and about the claims that the Ethiopian royalty descends from Solomon?
 
WJL,

I don’t know much more than I gave you. You might want to see what scholars have to say about the Kebra Negast, and also you could maybe try and e-mail an Ethiopian Orthodox parish/Diocese/etc. I hope this helps, or at least that the Kebra Negast will put you on track.

Nick
 
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