Salama III was Abuna

Abuna

Also see Leaders of ChristianityAbun is the honorific title used for any bishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church as well as of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church...

, or head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (1841 - 1867). Originally brought to Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...

 by Dejazmach Wube Haile Maryam, he afterwards attached himself to the party of Emperor Tewodros II

Tewodros II of Ethiopia

Tewodros II was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1855 until his death....

 for his help to settle the theological disputes and to gain control over the fractured church organization. However as Emperor Tewodros' power dwindled, Abuna Salama found himself more often at odds with the Emperor until he was made a prisoner (1864), and eventually confined to Magdala

Amba Mariam

Amba Mariam is a village in central Ethiopia. It was known as Magdala or Meqdela during the reign of Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia...

 where he died of bronchitis

Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi in the lungs that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks. Characteristic symptoms include cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath and wheezing related to the obstruction of the inflamed airways...

aggravated by his detention.