after he became emperor, zara yaqob married princess eleni, who had converted from islam before their marriage. eleni was the daughter of the king of hadiya, one of the sidamo kingdoms south of the abay river. although she failed to bear him any children, eleni grew into a powerful political person. when a conspiracy involving one of his bitwodeds came to light, zara yaqob reacted by appointing his two daughters, medhan zamada and berhan zamada, to these two offices. according to the chronicle of his reign, the emperor also appointed his daughters and nieces as governors over eight of his provinces. these appointments were not successful.