Takla Iyasus

Takla Iyasus (Amharic: ተክለ ኢየሱስ) was a general and nobleman in the Ethiopian Empire under Lebna Dengel who served as governor of Angot,Tigre, and the port of Dokono during the Ethiopian-Adal War.

Ras Takla Iyasus
ተክለ ኢየሱስ
Governor of Tigre
In office Early 1520s – 13 April 1531
Preceded by	unknown, probably Akhadom
Succeeded by	Vizier Addoli as Adalite Supreme Commander of Northern Ethiopia
Governor of Angot
In office Unknown–1531
Preceded by	Unknown
Succeeded by	Farshaham Ali as Adalite Governor of Angot
Lord of Dokono
In office 1529–1531
Preceded by	Za Wengel
Succeeded by	Sharif Nur as Adalite Governor of Dokono
Personal details
Born	c. 15th century Ethiopian Empire
Died	(1531-04-13)April 13, 1531 Zari, Fatagar, Ethiopian Empire
Military service
Allegiance	Ethiopian Empire
Rank	Azmach
Battles/wars	Ethiopian–Adal War Battle of Shimbra Kure Battle of Zari

Biography

Takla Iyasus served as the commander of the Tigrayan forces during The Battle of Shimbra Kure where they faced numerous casualties including loss of 10,000 archers, countless infantrymen, and numerous Azmachs.^[1] Despite this however Iyasus was rewarded with the fiefdom of Dokono and it's prosperous seaport after the battle due to his high rank in court and personal relationship with Lebna Dengel. The port had previously belonged to Medri Bahri under the Bahr Negash Za Wengel who was slain during Shimbra Kure. After the Ethiopian defeat at Antukyah an infuriated Lebna Dengel, sent Iyasus to replace Ras Eslamu's as Commander-in-chief of the army in Fatagar along with reinforcements for Angot and Tigre. As he got to Fatagar Iyasus choose to camp at Zari, an inaccessible locality near Ayfars, but was however betrayed by local Crypto Muslims who lead Imam Ahmed Gurey to the location catching the Ethiopian force off guard.^[2] In the ensuing battle was killed and beheaded by a Muslim cavalryman by the name of Adish bin Mahi.^[1]: 151 His son Kefle who served as governor of Qeda was also captured during the battle.^[1]: 152 His other son, Saul, was executed by the Imam in Simien in 1535.