The most important political figure in Ethiopia during the reign of Iyoas (reigned 1755-69), son of Iyasu II, is Ras Mikael Sehul, a good example of a great noble who makes himself the power behind the throne.

Mikael's base is the province of Tigray, which by now enjoys a large measure of autonomy and from which Mikael raises up large armies with which he dominates the Gondar scene.

In 1769 he demonstrates his power by ordering the murder of two kings (Iyoas and Yohannes II) and by placing on the throne Tekla Haimanot II (son of Yohannes II), a weak ruler who does Mikael's bidding.

Mikael continues in command until the early 1770s, when a coalition of his opponents compels him to retire to Tigray, where he eventually dies of old age.

Mikael's brazen murder of two kings and his undisguised role as kingmaker in Gondar signal the beginning of what Ethiopians have long termed the Zemene Mesafmt (Era of the Princes), a time when Gondar kings are reduced to ceremonial figureheads while their military functions and real power lies with powerful nobles.

During this time, traditionally dating from 1769 to 1855, the kingdom no longer exists as a united entity capable of concerted political and military activity.

Various principalities are ruled by autonomous nobles, and warfare is constant.