Depiction of the acclaimed Ras Demetros, ruler of Merhabete. Demetros is locally known for starting the "Demetros Dynasty" of rulers of Merhabete in the 18th century (thread)

Merhabete was mentioned in the hagiography of Aba Filipos in the 14th century as a Christian territory where he sent his emissary, Merqorios to precide over.

But during the Oromo invasions, like much of Shewa, Merhabete was overran and conquered by the Tulama & Borana Oromo.

In the mid 18th century, a chieftain named Demetros, claimed Solomonic ancestry & rose in Kora (central Merhabete) in rebellion, conqering lands adjacent in modern day Mida & Dera woredas. He installed the Demetros Dynasty of Merhabete, where local rule and autonomy was revived

Christianity, which had subsided during the subsequent wars and invasions, had been revived and dozens of Church were built and rebuilt under his rule. Demetros's son Woldu, succeeded him. However, Merhabete still suffered from attacks from the north by the Borana & Wollo Oromo

At the same time, the rulers of Menz, east of Merhabete, had also ilaunched a counteroffensive expansion policy and their own Menzian Dynasty by Negasi Kristos since the late 17th century.

An alliance formed between the Meridazmach Wossen-Seged of Menz, & Ras Woldu, and Merhabete was incorporated into Shewa, along with the districte or Moret, Ensaro, and Bulga. By the time of Dejen (early 19th century), Ras Woldu's son, Merhabete was securely integrated into Shewa

Ras Dejen had a daughter, Bezabish. W/o Bezabish would become the wife of Negus Sahle Selassie and herself Queen of Shewa.

She would become a powerful presence in the royal court of Shewa for more than 3 decades, as she co-ruled alongside her husband and son, Negus Haile Melekot

The grandson of Sahle Selassie, Negus and later, Emperor Menelik II, thus had dynastic ties to both royal houses of Menz and Merhabete.