In a bid to gain the respect of his subjects, the Emperor Iyasu engaged in a campaign against the Kingdom of Sennar, which ended in defeat at the Battle of the Dindar River in 1738; an icon of Christ and a piece of the True Cross carried into battle were captured, and had to be ransomed for 8,000 ounces of gold.
Nun intento de gañar o respecto dos seus súbditos, o emperador Iyasu envolveuse nunha campaña contra o Reino de Sennar, que rematou cunha derrota na Batalla do río Dindar, en 1738; unha icona de Cristo e unha peza da Verdadeira Cruz levada para a batalla foron capturadas e tiveron que ser rescatadas por 8.000 onzas de ouro.