Abyssinia

Abyssinia is the historical name used by Europeans for the Ethiopian Empire and surrounding regions in the Horn of Africa. The term was widely used from late antiquity through the early 20th century and remains common in historical and literary contexts, though the country is today known as Ethiopia.

The origin of the name is uncertain. It appears in Greek and Latin sources and likely entered European languages through contacts with the Horn of Africa and the Arabic-speaking world. “Abyssinian” has been used to describe people from the region, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and various culturally associated items (for example, Abyssinian cats).

Historically, Abyssinia referred to a highland and plateau region covering much of present-day Ethiopia and at times neighboring areas such as Eritrea. Its history includes ancient Aksum, the medieval Zagwe dynasty, and the Solomonic line from around 1270, with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church playing a central role alongside Islam and other traditions.

In the 20th century, Abyssinia remained a term in international usage during events such as the Italian occupation (1935–36) and Haile Selassie’s restoration; after 1974, the monarchy ended and subsequent governments used Ethiopia as the official name. Today, Abyssinia survives mainly in historical, cultural, or literary contexts, while Ethiopia is the standard name for the country.