Uncover the fall of Haile Selassie - the “Conquering Lion” - through one driving theme: betrayal, from broken promises in Addis Ababa to shattered agreements on the Red Sea coast. Step into a mystery of power, famine, and captivity as Ethiopia’s ancient throne collapses and the Lion is caged.

In this episode, the story follows three interlocking breaches of trust: a military committee that claims it will preserve the monarchy, then dismantles it; an emperor who overturns a federal pact meant to protect Eritrean autonomy; and a state that fails its people during the Wollo famine as officials suppress or delay catastrophic news.

Along the way, the episode untangles what’s known, what’s disputed, and why Haile Selassie’s legacy remains both revered and contested - ending with the haunting questions surrounding his final ...