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| 1632 |
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| Ethiopian empire and church restored, but policy of southern expansion was abandoned and emperor struggled to retain power at center. | 1 |
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| 1636 |
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| Castle built at Gondar as fixed imperial residence, marking end of religious wars and end of the empire's expansionism. | 2 |
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| 1640–1874 |
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| Fur sultanate at Darfur, which had arisen in western savannah of Bilad al-Sudan at the crossroads of several trade routes, flourished under Kayra dynasty (based on wealth from long-distance trade) and pursued expansionist policy. Darfur completed the line of Islamic states across the Sudan, opening a pilgrimage route to Mecca. | 3 |
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| 1667–82 |
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| Emperor Yohannes of Ethiopia required acceptance of Orthodox faith by Catholics, who were in any case few in number. Muslim merchants were allowed to retain their religion but were required to live in separate communities. | 4 |
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| 1675–1700 |
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| Rapid development in Red Sea trade as a result of growth of Omani maritime power and new European imports of coffee. | 5 |
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| 1700–1800 |
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| Acceleration of Islamization in Darfur; rulers encouraged foreign Muslim scholars to settle there. Noble class arose in Ethiopia with decline of imperial central power. | 6 |
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| 1702 |
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| Franciscan Fr. Joseph visited Ethiopian court. Seven young Ethiopians went to Rome for instruction. | 7 |
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| 1704 |
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| Major earthquake destroyed buildings at Gondar. | 8 |
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| c. 1716 |
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| Three Capuchin missionaries reached Gondar but were stoned to death. | 9 |
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| c. 1750 |
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| Three Franciscans reached Gondar but were forced to return to Europe. | 10 |
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| 1762 |
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| Sheik Muhammad Abu Likaylik deposed Funj sultan and effectively established new dynasty, known as Hamadj, with Funj royal family as puppet rulers. | 11 |
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| 1768–73 |
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| James Bruce explored Ethiopia, traveling from Massawa to Gondar. He returned by way of the Nile River and reported that the Ethiopian Empire was in decline. | 12 |
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