"The Portuguese Expedition to Abyssinia in 1541-1543" by Miguel de Castanhoso is a captivating and detailed account of the Portuguese military expedition led to aid the Ethiopian Empire against Muslim invasions in the 16th century. Castanhoso, a Portuguese soldier who took part in this campaign, offers a first-hand perspective on the events, challenges and cultural interactions that marked this historic expedition. The book begins by describing the geopolitical situation at the time, with the Ethiopian Empire, also known as Abyssinia, under constant threat from Muslim forces led by Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, nicknamed "Gragn". In response to a call for help from the Ethiopian emperor Gelawdewos, the King of Portugal sent an expeditionary force led by Cristóvão da Gama, son of the famous explorer Vasco da Gama. Castanhoso gives a detailed account of the preparations for the expedition, the perilous journey across the Red Sea and the first contacts with the Ethiopians. He describes the fierce battles, the military strategies employed and the alliances forged between the Portuguese and the Ethiopian forces. The story highlights the courage and determination of Portuguese soldiers in the face of considerable adversity, including difficult terrain, a hostile climate and powerful enemy forces. Castanhoso's text is rich in detail about the cultural encounters between Europeans and Africans. He describes the customs, traditions and religious practices of the Ethiopians, offering valuable insights into daily life and society at the time. These descriptions enhance understanding of cross-cultural interactions and how these relationships influenced the course of the expedition. The book concludes with a description of the decisive battle of Wayna Daga, where the combined forces of the Portuguese and Ethiopians succeeded in defeating Gragn's army. This victory marks a crucial turning point in the safeguarding of the Ethiopian Empire and underlines the importance of Portuguese military assistance. "The Portuguese Expedition to Abyssinia in 1541-1543" is not only an essential historical testimony, but also an epic adventure that illustrates the challenges and triumphs of this military mission. Castanhoso's narrative, with its lively, detailed style, offers readers a complete immersion in a fascinating episode in world history.

" On the morning of the next day, February 1st, 1542, the eve of the day of the Purification of Our Lady, we pitched our camp, and as D. Christovão came with full knowledge of the approaches, as soon as we were in sight he allotted them to the Captains: to Francisco Velho and Manuel da Cunha, with their people and three pieces of artillery, the first approach, with the wall at the foot, the attack to be made at a given signal; to the second he appointed João da Fonseca and Francisco de Abreu, with three other pieces of artillery, and with the same instructions as to the signal; as the last approach was the strongest and most dangerous, he selected it for himself with the remaining people. There pikes, who were angry and discontented that they were excluded from remained on guard over the Queen sixty soldiers with matchlocks and the attack."

This book has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature. This forms a part of the knowledge base for future generations. We have represented this book in the same form as it was first published. Hence any marks seen are left intentionally to preserve its true nature.

Though the title of the book refers to the event described inside as an expedition, the presence of the Portuguese in Abyssinia (now known as Ethiopia) was actually for the purpose of supporting the empire in the middle of a war called the Abyssinian-Adal War. It was a military conflict between the Christian Ethiopian Empire and the Muslim Adal Sultanate from 1529 to 1543.

Translated and Edited and Including a bibliography of Abyssinia, pp. civ-cxxxii. This is a new print-on-demand hardback edition of the volume first published in 1902. Owing to technical constraints the map which appeared in the original edition of the book is not included.

"The Portuguese Expedition to Abyssinia in 1541-1543" by Miguel de Castanhoso is a captivating and detailed account of the Portuguese military expedition led to aid the Ethiopian Empire against Muslim invasions in the 16th century. Castanhoso, a Portuguese soldier who took part in this campaign, offers a first-hand perspective on the events, challenges and cultural interactions that marked this historic expedition. The book begins by describing the geopolitical situation at the time, with the Ethiopian Empire, also known as Abyssinia, under constant threat from Muslim forces led by Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, nicknamed "Gragn". In response to a call for help from the Ethiopian emperor Gelawdewos, the King of Portugal sent an expeditionary force led by Cristóvão da Gama, son of the famous explorer Vasco da Gama. Castanhoso gives a detailed account of the preparations for the expedition, the perilous journey across the Red Sea and the first contacts with the Ethiopians. He describes the fierce battles, the military strategies employed and the alliances forged between the Portuguese and the Ethiopian forces. The story highlights the courage and determination of Portuguese soldiers in the face of considerable adversity, including difficult terrain, a hostile climate and powerful enemy forces. Castanhoso's text is rich in detail about the cultural encounters between Europeans and Africans. He describes the customs, traditions and religious practices of the Ethiopians, offering valuable insights into daily life and society at the time. These descriptions enhance understanding of cross-cultural interactions and how these relationships influenced the course of the expedition. The book concludes with a description of the decisive battle of Wayna Daga, where the combined forces of the Portuguese and Ethiopians succeeded in defeating Gragn's army. This victory marks a crucial turning point in the safeguarding of the Ethiopian Empire and underlines the importance of Portuguese military assistance. "The Portuguese Expedition to Abyssinia in 1541-1543" is not only an essential historical testimony, but also an epic adventure that illustrates the challenges and triumphs of this military mission. Castanhoso's narrative, with its lively, detailed style, offers readers a complete immersion in a fascinating episode in world history.