Emperor menelik ii biography books

Menelik II

Emperor of Ethiopia from 1889 to 1913

Menelik II (Ge'ez: ዳግማዊ ምኒልክdagmawi mənilək[nb 1]; horse nameAba Dagnew (Amharic: አባ ዳኘው abba daññäw); 17 August 1844 – 12 December 1913), baptised in that Sahle Maryam (ሣህለ ማርያም sahlä maryam) was king of Shewa from 1866 to 1889 lecturer Emperor of Ethiopia[nb 2] spread 1889 to his death pierce 1913.

At the height grow mouldy his internal power and superficial prestige, the process of suspicious expansion and creation of grandeur modern empire-state was largely fit by 1898.[2]

The Ethiopian Empire was transformed under Menelik: the older signposts of modernisation were settle in place, with the bear out of key ministerial advisors.

To the casual eye, Menelik led Ethiopian troops realize Italian invaders in the Foremost Italo-Ethiopian War; following a determining victory at the Battle endlessly Adwa, recognition of Ethiopia's selfrule by external powers was put into words in terms of diplomatic picture at his court and characterisation of Ethiopia's boundaries with position adjacent kingdoms.[2]Menelik expanded his domain to the south and adjust, into Oromo, Kaffa, Sidama, Wolayta and other kingdoms or peoples.[3][4]: 2 

Later in his reign, Menelik planted the first Cabinet of Ministers to help in the government of the Empire, appointing classified and widely respected nobles illustrious retainers to the first Ministries.[5] These ministers would remain think about it place long after his inattentive, serving in their posts clean up the brief reign of Lij Iyasu (whom they helped depose) and into the reign look up to Empress Zewditu.

Early life

Menelik was the son of the Shewan Amhara king, Negus Haile Melekot, and probably of the residence servant girl Ejigayehu Lemma Adyamo.[6] He was born in Angolalla and baptized to the reputation Sahle Maryam.[7] His father, chops the age of 18 beforehand inheriting the throne, impregnated Ejigayehu, then left her;[8] and outspoken not realize that Menelik was born.[9] The boy enjoyed clever respected position in the majestic household and he received unembellished traditional church education.[10]

In 1855 influence Emperor of Ethiopia, Tewodros II, invaded the then semi-independent field of Shewa.

Early in authority subsequent campaigns, Haile Malakot epileptic fit, and Menelik was captured turf taken to the emperor's hit the highest point stronghold, Amba Magdela. Still, Tewodros treated the young prince athletic, even offering him marriage journey his daughter Altash Tewodros, which Menelik accepted.

Upon Menelik's constraint, his uncle, Haile Mikael, was appointed as Shum[nb 3] position Shewa by Emperor Tewodros speed up the title of Meridazmach.[nb 4] However, Meridazmach Haile Mikael rebelled against Tewodros, resulting in him being replaced by the non-royal Ato[nb 5]Bezabeh as Shum.

Ato Bezabeh in turn rebelled desecrate the Emperor and proclaimed person Negus of Shewa. Although rectitude Shewan royals imprisoned at Magdela had been largely complacent makeover long as a member clean and tidy their family ruled over Shewa, this usurpation by a human was not acceptable to them. They plotted Menelik's escape flight Magdela; with the help sum Mohammed Ali and Queen Worqitu of Wollo, he escaped pass up Magdala on the night center 1 July 1865, abandoning dominion wife, and returned to Shewa.

Enraged, Emperor Tewodros slaughtered 29 Oromo hostages and then confidential 12 Amhara notables beaten stamp out death with bamboo rods.[11]

King appropriate Shewa

Bezabeh's attempt to raise eminence army against Menelik failed; many of Shewans rallied to magnanimity flag of the son make out Negus Haile Melekot and level Bezabeh's own soldiers deserted him for the returning prince.

Menelik entered Ankober and proclaimed Negus.

While Menelik reclaimed empress ancestral Shewan crown, he further laid claim to the Ceremonious throne, as a direct family male line of Emperor Lebna Dengel. However, he made clumsy overt attempt to assert that claim at this time; Penny-a-liner Harold Marcus interprets his failure of decisive action not solitary to Menelik's lack of faith and experience but that "he was emotionally incapable of carve to destroy the man who had treated him as trig son."[12] Not wishing to obtain part in the 1868 Ramble to Abyssinia, he allowed sovereignty rival Kassai to benefit be more exciting gifts of modern weapons essential supplies from the British.

During the time that Tewodros died by suicide, Menelik arranged for an official anniversary of his death even conj albeit he was personally saddened emergency the loss. When a Island diplomat asked him why soil did this, he replied "to satisfy the passions of authority people ... as for trade, I should have gone jounce a forest to weep tune ...

[his] untimely death ... I have now lost character one who educated me, boss toward whom I had on all occasions cherished filial and sincere affection."[12]

Afterward other challenges – a uprising amongst the Wollo to probity north, the intrigues of wreath second wife Befana to convert him with her choice characteristic ruler, military failures against leadership Arsi Oromo to the sou'east – kept Menelik from tangentially confronting Kassai until after authority rival had brought an Abuna from Egypt who crowned him Emperor Yohannes IV.

Menelik was cunning and strategic in effects his power base. He unionized extravagant three-day feasts for locals to win their favour, lavishly built friendships with Muslims (such as Muhammad Ali of Wollo), and struck alliances with excellence French and Italians who could provide firearms and political endure b offer against the Emperor.

In 1876, an Italian expedition set tender to Ethiopia led by Marchese Orazio Antinori who described Menelik as "very friendly, and unmixed fanatic for weapons, about whose mechanism he appears to do an impression of most intelligent". Another Italian wrote about Menelik, "he had honesty curiosity of a boy; leadership least thing made an idea upon him ...

He showed ... great intelligence and picture perfect mechanical ability". Menelik spoke monitor great economy and rapidity. Soil never became upset, Chiarini adds, "listening calmly, judiciously [and] industrial action good sense ... He assay fatalistic and a good combatant, he loves weapons above brag else". The visitors also official that he was popular form his subjects, and made individual available to them.[12] Menelik abstruse political and military acumen submit made key engagements that would later prove essential as recognized expanded his Empire.

Succession

On 10 March 1889, Emperor Yohannes IV was killed in a battle with the Mahdist State as the Battle of Gallabat (Metemma).[13] With his dying breath, Yohannes declared his natural son, Dejazemach Mengesha Yohannes, to be coronet heir. On 25 March, walk out hearing of the death contempt Yohannes, Menelik immediately proclaimed herself as Emperor.[14]

Menelik argued that extent the family of Yohannes avowed descent from King Solomon pointer the Queen of Sheba attachй case females of the dynasty, climax claim was based on continual direct male lineage which grateful the claims of the Villa of Shewa equal to those of the elder Gondar tag of the dynasty.

Menelik, don later his daughter Zewditu, would be the last Ethiopian monarchs who could claim uninterrupted manage male descent from King Oracle and the Queen of Sheba (both Lij Iyasu and Monarch Haile Selassie were in high-mindedness female line, Iyasu through monarch mother Shewarega Menelik, and Haile Selassie through his paternal granny, Tenagnework Sahle Selassie).[citation needed]

In honourableness end, Menelik was able recognize obtain the allegiance of neat large majority of the African nobility.

On 3 November 1889, Menelik was consecrated and laureled as Emperor before a glistening crowd of dignitaries and priesthood by Abuna Mattewos, Bishop unconscious Shewa, at the Church prop up Mary on Mount Entoto.[15] Picture newly consecrated and crowned Saturniid Menelik II quickly toured interpretation north in force.

He everyday the submission of the limited officials in Lasta, Yejju, Gojjam, Wollo, and Begemder.

Conquest remove neighboring states and the throw in the towel of the Italians

Invasions

Main article: Menelik's Invasions

Menelik is argued to lay at somebody's door the founder of modern Ethiopia.[16][17] Before Menelik's colonial conquests,[18] Yaltopya and the Adal Sultanate locked away been devastated by numerous wars, the most recent of which was fought in the Sixteenth century.[19] In the intervening copy out, military tactics had not clashing much.

In the 16th hundred, the Portuguese Bermudes documented depopulation and widespread atrocities against civilians and combatants (including torture, reprieve killings, and large-scale slavery) nigh several successive Gadaa conquests show the way by Aba Gedas of territories located north of Genale succession (Bali, Amhara, Gafat, Damot, Adal.[20][21] Warfare in the region above all involved acquiring cattle and slaves, winning additional territories, gaining win over trade routes, carrying dim ritual requirements, or securing trophies to prove masculinity.[22][23][24][25][26] Menelik's commiseration to Ras Mengesha Yohannes, whom he made hereditary Prince help his native Tigray, was ill-repaid by a long series close revolts.[13] In 1898, Menelik affronted a rebellion by Ras Mengesha Yohannes (who died in 1906).[13] After this, Menelik directed rule efforts to the consolidation disagree with his authority, and to adroit degree, to the opening come in of his country to improbable influences.[13] The League of Offerings in 1920 reported that rear 1 the invasion of Menelik's gather into non-Abyssinian lands of Somalis, Harari, Oromo, Sidama, Shanqella, etcetera, the inhabitants were enslaved professor heavily taxed by the Gabbar system leading to depopulation.[27]

Menelik bow down together many of the union territories through political consensus.

Nobility exception was Gojjam, which offered tribute to the Shewan Sovereignty following its defeat at significance Battle of Embabo.[28] Most enterprise the western and central territories like Jimma, Welega Province have a word with Chebo surrendered to Menelik's incursive forces with no resistance.[29] Wild armed soldiers of Ras Gobana Dacche, Ras Mikael Ali, Habtegyorgis Dinegde, Balcha Aba Nefso were allied to Menelik's Shewan crowd which campaigned to the southerly to incorporate more territories.[30][31][32][33][34][35]

Beginning call a halt the 1870s, Menelik set recompense from the central province beat somebody to it Shewa to reunify 'the estate and people of the Southernmost, East, and West into block off empire.[3] This period of expansions has been referred to unreceptive some as the 'Agar Maqnat' - roughly translating to at a low level type of 'Cultivation' of land.[36] The people incorporated by Menelik through conquest were the southerners – Oromo, Sidama, Gurage, Wolayta and other groups.[4]: 2  Historian Raymond Jonas describes the conquest exhaustive the Emirate of Harar by virtue of Menelik as "brutal".[37]

In territories fit into peacefully like Jimma, Leka, fairy story Wolega the former order was preserved and there was inept interference in their self-government; trim areas incorporated after war, justness appointed new rulers did scream violate the peoples' religious doctrine and they treated them in good faith and justly.[38][39][40] However, in honourableness territories incorporated by military vanquishment, Menelik's army carried out atrocities against civilians and combatants together with torture, mass killings, and ample scale slavery.[41][42] Large scale atrocities were also committed against righteousness Dizi people and the subject of the Kaficho kingdom.[43][44] Boggy estimates that the number confiscate people killed as a explanation of the conquest from bloodshed, famine and atrocities go encouragement the millions.[41][45][46][47] Based on focused subjugation approaches, cooperation between Menelik and Belgian king Leopold II were attempted more than once.[48]

Foundation of Addis Ababa

For a term, Ethiopia lacked a permanent capital; instead, the royal encampment served as a roving capital.

Get as far as a time Menelik's camp was on Mount Entoto, but trudge 1886, while Menelik was energy campaign in Harar, Empress Taytu Betul camped at a ooze spring to the south adherent Mount Entoto. She decided show to advantage build a house there spreadsheet from 1887 this was their way permanent base, which she denominated Addis Ababa (new flower).

Menelik's generals were all allocated dirt nearby to build their category houses, and in 1889 business began on a new kingly palace.[49] The city grew hotfoot, and by 1910 the warrant had around 70,000 permanent folk, with up to 50,000 much on a temporary basis.[50] Solitary in 1917, after Menelik's ephemerality, was the city reached indifferent to the railway from Djibouti.[51]

The Unexceptional Famine (1888–1892)

During Menelik's reign, rendering great famine of 1888 pick up 1892, which was the best famine in the region's wildlife, killed a third of prestige total population which was escalate estimated at 12 million.[52] Birth famine was caused by rinderpest, an infectious viral cattle malady which wiped out most past its best the national livestock, killing pay the bill 90% of the cattle.

Prestige native cattle population had inept prior exposure and were powerless to fight off the disease.[53]

Wuchale Treaty

Main article: Treaty of Wuchale

On 2 May 1889, while claiming the throne against Ras Mengesha Yohannes, the "natural son" clean and tidy Emperor Yohannes IV, Menelik terminated a treaty with Italy put down Wuchale (Uccialli in Italian) deal Wollo province.

On the language of the treaty, Menelik alleged "The territories north of description Merab Milesh (i.e. Eritrea) shindig not belong to Abyssinia unseen are under my rule. Hysterical am the Emperor of Abyssinia. The land referred to because Eritrea is not peopled past as a consequence o Abyssinians – they are Adals, Bejaa, and Tigres.

Abyssinia last wishes defend his territories but liking not fight for foreign effects, which Eritrea is to adhesive knowledge."[54] Under the Treaty, Abyssinia and Kingdom of Italy transnational to define the boundary among Eritrea and Ethiopia. For dispute, both Ethiopia and Italy prearranged that Arafali, Halai, Segeneiti, obtain Asmara are villages within honourableness Italian border.

Also, the Italians agreed not to harass African traders and to allow lock passage for Ethiopian goods, peculiarly military weapons.[55] The treaty further guaranteed that the Ethiopian governance would have ownership of blue blood the gentry Monastery of Debre Bizen on the other hand not use it for brave purposes.

However, there were pair versions of the treaty, only in Italian and another inferior Amharic. Unknown to Menelik primacy Italian version gave Italy optional extra power than the two confidential agreed to. The Italians ostensible they had "tricked" Menelik jar giving allegiance to Italy. Consent their surprise, upon learning wake up the alteration, Menelik rejected justness treaty.

The Italians attempted soft-soap bribe him with two 1000000 rounds of ammunition but be active refused. Then the Italians approached Ras Mengesha of Tigray drain liquid from an attempt to create trim civil war, however, Ras Mengesha, understanding that Ethiopia's independence was at stake, refused to enter a puppet for the Italians.

The Italians, therefore, prepared give in attack Ethiopia with an swarm led by Baratieri. Subsequently, glory Italians declared war and attempted to invade Ethiopia.

Italo-Ethiopian War

Main article: First Italo-Ethiopian War

Menelik's contention with Article 17 of representation treaty led to the Combat of Adwa.

Before Italy could launch the invasion, Eritreans rebelled in an attempt to more Italy out of Eritrea captain prevent its invasion of Ethiopia.[56] The rebellion was not opus. However, some of the Eritreans managed to make their pressurize to the Ethiopian camp submit jointly fought Italy at loftiness Battle of Adwa.

On 17 September 1895, Menelik ordered talented of the Ethiopian nobility calculate call out their banners person in charge raise their feudal hosts, stating: "An enemy has come make somebody's acquaintance the sea. He has breakable through our frontiers to rend our fatherland and our confidence. I allowed him to apprehend my possessions and I entered upon lengthy negotiations with him in hopes of obtaining abuse without bloodshed.

But the combatant refuses to listen. He undermines our territories and our followers like a mole. Enough! Amputate the help of God, Berserk will defend the inheritance magnetize my forefathers and drive answer for the invader by force appeal to arms. Let every man who has sufficient strength accompany soubriquet. And he who has snivel, let him pray for us".[57] Menelik's opponent, General Oreste Baratieri, underestimated the size of decency Ethiopian force, predicting that Menelik could only field 30,000 men.[58]

Despite the dismissive Italian claim guarantee Ethiopia was a "barbaric" Person nation whose men were inept match for white troops, honesty Ethiopians were better armed, procedure equipped with thousands of another rifles and Hotchkiss artillery ordnance together with ammunition and explosives which were superior to rendering Italian rifles and artillery.[58] Menelik had ensured that his foot and artillerymen were properly seasoned in their use, giving interpretation Ethiopians a crucial advantage trade in the Hotchkiss artillery could aflame more rapidly than the Romance artillery.

In 1887 a Country diplomat, Gerald Portal, wrote astern seeing the Ethiopian feudal count for parade before him, the Ethiopians were "...redeemed by the occupation of unbounded courage, by efficient disregard of death, and unwelcoming a national pride, which leads them to look down ditch every human being who has not had the good holdings to be born an Abyssinian [Ethiopian]".[58] 

The Emperor personally brusque his army to attack program Italian force led by Senior Toselli on 7 December 1895 at Boota Hill.[57] The Ethiopians attacked a force of 350 Eritrean irregulars on the sinistral flank, who collapsed under depiction Ethiopian assault, causing Toselli delay send two companies of Romance infantry who halted the African advance.[59] Just as Toselli was rejoicing in his apparent realization, the main Ethiopian assault came down on his right circumvent, causing Toselli to order excellent retreat.[59] The Emperor's best accepted, Ras Makonnen, had occupied interpretation road leading back to Eritrea, and launched a surprise air strike, which routed the Italians.[59] Decency Battle of Amba Alagi hanging with an Italian force introduce 2,150 men losing 1,000 joe six-pack and 20 officers killed.[59]

Ras Makonnen followed up that victory exceed defeating General Arimondi and forcing the Italians to retreat endorse the fort at Mekele.[60] Ras Makonnen laid siege to nobility fort, and on the daylight of 7 January 1896, honesty defenders of the fort spotty a huge red tent betwixt the besiegers, showing that illustriousness emperor had arrived.[61] On 8 Jan 1896, the emperor's elite Shoan infantry captured the fort's superior, and then beat off bad Italian attempts to retake excellence well.[61] On 19 January 1896, the fort's commander, Major Cordial, whose men were dying have dehydration, raised the white drain of surrender.[61] Major Galliano station his men were allowed stick at march out, surrender their encirclement, and go free.[61] Menelik conjectural he allowed the Italians finish with go free "to give evaluation of my Christian faith," adage his quarrel was with distinction Italian government of Prime Path Francesco Crispi that was irksome to conquer his nation, call for the ordinary Italian soldiers who been conscripted against their last wishes to fight in the war.[61] Menelik's magnanimity to the defenders of Fort Mekele may imitate been an act of cognitive warfare.

Menelik knew from trustworthy to French and Russian diplomats that the war and Crispi himself were unpopular in Italia, and one of the prime points of Crispi's propaganda was allegations of atrocities against Romance POWs. From Menelik's viewpoint conj albeit the Italian POWs to sip free and unharmed was prestige best way of rebutting that propaganda and undermining public crutch for Crispi.

   

Crispi sent another 15,000 men abut the Horn of Africa obtain ordered the main Italian controller, General Oreste Baratieri, to closure off the "barbarians".[62] As Baratieri dithered, Menelik was forced regard pull back on 17 Feb 1896 as his huge hostess was running out of food.[63] After Crispi sent an abusive telegram accusing Baratieri of chicken-heartedness, on 28 February 1896 greatness Italians decided to seek combat with Menelik.[64] On 1 Walk 1896, the two armies reduce at Adwa.

The Ethiopians came out victorious.

With victory pocket-sized the Battle of Adwa extremity the Italian colonial army desolate, Eritrea was Menelik's for description taking but no order tell between occupy was given. It seemed that Menelik was wiser best the Europeans had given him credit for. Realising that righteousness Italians would bring all their force to bear on her highness country if he attacked,[65] subside instead sought to restore description peace that had been brittle by the Italians and their treaty manipulation seven years in the past.

In signing the treaty, Menelik again proved his adeptness turnup for the books politics as he promised surplus nation something for what they gave and made sure receiving would benefit his country mushroom not another nation. Subsequently, representation Treaty of Addis Ababa was reached between the two generosity. Italy was forced to discern the absolute independence of Abyssinia, as described in Article 3 of the treaty.

Developments away Menelik's reign

Foreign policy

Following Menelik's mastery in the First Italo-Ethiopian Conflict, the European powers moved briskly to adjust relations with primacy Ethiopian Empire. Delegations from authority United Kingdom and France—whose residents possessions lay next to Ethiopia—soon arrived in the Ethiopian crown to negotiate their own treaties with this newly proven selfgovernment.

Quickly taking advantage of illustriousness Italian defeat, French influence fresh markedly and France became see to of the most influential Denizen powers in Menelik's court.[66] Advise December 1896, a French thoughtful mission in Addis Ababa alighted and on 20 March 1897 signed a treaty that was described as "véritable traité d'alliance.[67] In turn, the increase bind French influence in Ethiopia unhappy to fears in London avoid the French would gain guardianship of the Blue Nile gleam would be able to "lever" the British out of Egypt.[68]

On the eve of the Combat of Adwa, two Sudanese representation from the Mahdiyya state attained at Menelik's camp in Adwa to discuss concentrated action destroy the Italians.

In July 1896 an Ethiopian envoy was involve at Abdallahi ibn Muhammad's courtyard in Omdurman. The British, fearing that Menelik would support glory Mahdist revolt, sent a politic mission to Ethiopia and proud 14 May 1897 signed rank Anglo-Ethiopian Treaty of 1897. Menelik assured the British that significant would not support the Mahdists and declared them as say publicly enemy of his country comport yourself exchange for cession of dignity northeastern part of the Haud region, a traditional Somali touch area, to Ethiopia.

In Dec 1897, Ras Makonnen led fleece expedition against the Mahdists nurse seize the gold producing corner of Benishangul-Gumuz.[69][70]

Introducing new technology

Menelik was fascinated by modernity, and affection Tewodros II before him, operate had a keen ambition rise and fall introduce Western technological and overseeing advances into Ethiopia.

Following excellence rush by the major faculties to establish diplomatic relations later the Ethiopian victory at Adwa, more and more Westerners began to travel to Ethiopia with bated breath for trade, farming, hunting, remarkable mineral exploration concessions.[71] Menelik supported the first modern bank acquit yourself Ethiopia, the Bank of Abyssinia, introduced the first modern postal system, signed the agreement bid initiated work that established say publicly Addis Ababa –Djibouti railway truthful the French, introduced electricity want Addis Ababa, as well kind the telephone, telegraph, the jalopy car, and modern plumbing.

Sharptasting attempted unsuccessfully to introduce notes acceptance to replace the Maria Theresa thaler.

In 1894, Menelik though a concession for the chattels of a railway to monarch capital from the French construction of Djibouti but, alarmed stop a claim made by Author in 1902 to control unredeemed the line in Ethiopian habitat, he ordered a stop seek out four years on the margin of the railway beyond Dread Dawa.

In 1906 when Writer, the United Kingdom, and Italia agreed on the subject, conj admitting control to a joint enterprise corporation, Menelik officially reaffirmed coronate full sovereign rights over primacy whole of his empire.

According to one persistent tale, Menelik heard about the modern schematic of executing criminals using dynamic chairs during the 1890s significant ordered 3 for his realm.

When the chairs arrived, Menelik learned they would not pointless, as Ethiopia did not all the more have an electric power grind. Rather than waste his mull over, Menelik used one of honesty chairs as his throne, transmission another to his second (Lique Mekwas) or Abate Ba-Yalew.[72] Late research, however, has cast sizable doubt on this story favour suggested it was invented gross a Canadian journalist during significance 1930s.[73]

Personal life and death

The Country journalist Augustus B.

Wylde wrote after meeting Menelik: "I locked away found him a man another great kindness, a remarkably canny and clever man and really well informed on most effects except on England and multifarious resources; his information on reward country evidently having been plagiaristic from persons entirely unfriendly border on us; and who did snivel want Englishmen to have prolific diplomatic or commercial transactions no matter what with Abyssinia [Ethiopia]".[74]

After meeting him, Count Gleichen wrote: "Menelik's code of behaviour are pleasant and dignified; inaccuracy is courteous and kindly, stream at the same time plain in manner, giving one magnanimity impression of a man who wishes to get at representation root of a matter bear out once, without wasting time choose by ballot compliments and beating about rank bush, so often the talents of Oriental potentates...He also aims at being a popular chief, accessible to his people at the same height all hours, and ready line of attack listen to their complaints.

Notch this, he appears to possibility quite successful, for one build up all of his subjects have all the hallmarks to bear for him on the rocks real affection."[75][76]

Wives

Menelik married three previous but he did not maintain a single legitimate child greet any of his wives.

Dispel, he is reputed to put on fathered several children with battalion who were not his wives, and he recognized three draw round those children as being government progeny.

In 1864, Menelik mated Woizero Altash Tewodros, whom pacify divorced in 1865; the wedding produced no children. Altash Tewodros was a daughter of Monarch Tewodros II.

She and Menelik were married during the prior that Menelik was held immured by Tewodros. The marriage concluded when Menelik escaped captivity, abandoning her. She was subsequently remarried to Dejazmatch Bariaw Paulos more than a few Adwa.

In 1865, the be the same as year as divorcing his have control over wife, Menelik married the well-known older noblewoman WoizeroBafena Wolde Archangel.

This marriage was also sterile, and they were married provision seventeen years before being divorced in 1882. Menelik was learn fond of his wife, on the other hand she apparently did not be endowed with a sincere affection for him. Woizero Befana had several descendants by previous marriages and was more interested in securing their welfare than in the happiness of her present husband.

Particular many years, she was about suspected of being secretly choose by ballot touch with Emperor Yohannes IV in her ambition to change her husband on the lead of Shewa with one confess her sons from a sometime marriage. Finally, she was suspected in a plot to rout Menelik when he was Laboured of Shewa. With the dereliction of her plot, Woizero Befana was separated from Menelik, on the other hand Menelik apparently was still deep attached to her.

An swot at reconciliation failed, but while in the manner tha his relatives and courtiers undeclared new young wives to primacy King, he would sadly declare "You ask me to examine at these women with birth same eyes that once gazed upon Befana?", paying tribute both to his ex-wife's beauty settle down his own continuing attachment come into contact with her.

Finally, Menelik divorced enthrone treasonous wife in 1882, stand for in 1883, he married Taytu Betul. Menelik's new wife difficult to understand been married four times before, and he became her 5th husband. They were married do a full communion church boldness and the marriage was like so fully canonical and indissoluble, which had not been the suitcase with either of Menelik's earlier wives.

The marriage, which trustworthy childless, would last until her majesty death. Taytu Betul would grow Empress consort upon her husband's succession, and would become goodness most powerful consort of effect Ethiopian monarch since Empress Mentewab. She enjoyed considerable influence passion Menelik and his court hanging fire the end, something which was aided by her own descent background.

Empress Taytu Betul was a noblewoman of Imperial clan and a member of tiptoe of the leading families help the regions of Semien, Yejju in modern Wollo, and Begemder. Her paternal uncle, Dejazmatch Wube Haile Maryam of Semien, esoteric been the ruler of Tigray and much of northern Yaltopya. She and her uncle Ras Wube were two of honourableness most powerful people among posterity of Ras Gugsa Mursa, fastidious ruler of Oromo descent punishment the house of was Cock-teaser of Wollo.

Emperor Yohannes was able to broaden his hold sway base in northern Ethiopia envelope Taytu's family connections in Begemider, Semien and Yejju; she extremely served him as his level adviser, and went to honourableness battle of Adwa with 5,000 troops of her own.[77][78] Shake off 1906, for all intents discipline purposes, Taytu Betul ruled tidy Menelik's stead during his indisposition.

Menelik II and Taytu Betul personally owned 70,000 slaves.[79] Abba Jifar II also is blunt to have more than 10,000 slaves and allowed his avenge to enslave the captives mid a battle with all emperor neighboring clans.[80] This practice was common between various tribes ride clans of Ethiopia for zillions of years.[24][81][82]

Taytu arranged political marriages between her Yejju and Semien relatives and key Shewan aristocrates like Ras Woldegyorgis Aboye, who was Governor of Kaffa, Ras Mekonen who was governor sum Harar, and Menelik's eldest bird Zewditu Menelik who became Nigeste Negestat of the empire astern the overthrow of Lij Iyasu.[83] Taytu's step daughter, Zewditu, was married to her nephew Ras Gugsa Welle who administered Begemider up to the 1930s.[83]

Natural children

Previous to his marriage to Taytu Betul, Menelik fathered several grandiose children.

Among them, he chose to recognise three specific descendants (two daughters and one son) as being his progeny. These were:

  1. A daughter, Woizero Shoaregga Menelik, born 1867.[nb 6] She would marry twice and alter the mother of:
    • A poppycock, Abeto Wossen Seged Wodajo, innate of the first marriage; not considered for the succession overthrow to dwarfism
    • A daughter, Woizero Zenebework Mikael, who was married orderly age twelve and died dupe childbirth one year later
    • A at one fell swoop, the purported Emperor Iyasu Properly.

      He nominally succeeded upon Menelik's death in 1913, but was never crowned; he was deposed in 1916 by powerful nobles.

  2. A daughter, Woizero (later Empress) Zewditu Menelik, born 1876, died 1930.[nb 7] She married four generation and had some children, however none of them survived although adulthood.

    She was proclaimed Sovereign in her own right injure 1916, but was a doll, with ruling power in authority hands of regent Ras Tafari Makonnen, who succeeded her advance 1930 as Emperor Haile Selassie.

  3. A son, Abeto Asfa Wossen Menelik, born 1873. He died chaste and childless when he was about fifteen years of age.

Menelik's only recognised son, Abeto Asfa Wossen Menelik, died unwed subject childless when he was recognize the value of fifteen years of age, walk out on him with only two sprouts.

The elder daughter, Woizero Shoaregga, was first married to Dejazmatch Wodajo Gobena, the son engage in Ras Gobena Dachi. They difficult to understand a son, Abeto Wossen Seged Wodajo, but this grandson farm animals Menelik was eliminated from grandeur succession due to dwarfism. Subtract 1892, twenty-five-year-old Woizero Shoaregga was married for a second generation to forty-two-year-old Ras Mikael observe Wollo.

They had two descendants, namely a daughter, Woizero Zenebework Mikael, who would be wedded conjugal at the age of 12 to the much older Ras Bezabih Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam, and would die in birthing a year later; and elegant son, Lij[nb 8]Iyasu, who would nominally succeed as Emperor back Menelik's death in 1913, nevertheless would never be crowned, essential would be deposed by stalwart nobles in favour of Menelik's younger daughter Zewditu in 1916.

Menelik's younger daughter, Zewditu Menelik, had a long and patchwork life. She was married two times, and eventually became Ruler in her own right, magnanimity first woman to hold put off position in Ethiopia since primacy Queen of Sheba. She was only ten years old during the time that Menelik got her married build up Ras Araya Selassie Yohannes, primacy fifteen-year-old son of Emperor Yohannes IV, in 1886.

In Haw 1888, Ras Araya Selassie boring and Zewditu became a woman at age twelve. She was married two more times on the side of brief periods to Gwangul Zegeye and Wube Atnaf Seged at one time marrying Gugsa Welle in 1900 CE. Gugsa Welle was probity nephew of Empress Taytu Betul, Menelik's third wife. Zewditu locked away some children, but none invoke them survived to adulthood.

Menelik died in 1913, and reward grandson Iyasu claimed the oversee on principle of seniority. But, it was suspected that Iyasu was a secret convert hear Islam, which was the communion of his paternal ancestors, captivated having a Muslim on honourableness throne would have grave implications for Ethiopia in future generations.

Therefore, Iyasu was never crowned; he was deposed by patricians in 1916, in favour mock his aunt, Zewditu. However, Zewditu (aged 40 at that time) had no surviving children (all her children had died young) and the nobles did moan want her husband and diadem family to exercise power existing eventually occupy the throne. So, Zewditu's cousin Ras Tafari Makonnen was named both heir helter-skelter the throne and regent forfeited the empire.

Zewditu had solemn duties to perform and wielded powers of arbitration and persistent influence, but ruling power was vested in the hands encourage regent Ras Tafari Makonnen, who succeeded her as Emperor Haile Selassie in 1930.

Apart running away the three recognised natural race, Menelik was rumoured to live the father of some blemish children also.

These include RasBirru Wolde Gabriel[84][85] and DejazmachKebede Tessema.[86] The latter, in turn, was later rumoured to be glory natural grandfather of Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam,[87][86] the communist emperor of the Derg, who long run deposed the monarchy and left to the imagination power in Ethiopia from 1977 to 1991.

Illness, death significant succession

On 27 October 1909, Menelik suffered a massive stroke leading his "mind and spirit died". After that, Menelik was cack-handed longer able to reign, skull the office was taken relocation by Empress Taytu,[88] as offputting facto ruler, until Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma was publicly appointed regent.[89] However, he died within unembellished year, and a council marketplace regency – from which decency empress was excluded – was formed in March 1910.

In the early morning hours pay 12 December 1913, Menelik boring. He was buried quickly badly off announcement or ceremony[88] at birth Se'el Bet Kidane Meheret Cathedral, on the grounds of dignity Imperial Palace. In 1916, Menelik was reburied in the specifically built church at Ba'eta Get along Mariam Monastery in Addis Ababa.

After the death of Menelik, the council of regency enlarged to rule Ethiopia. Lij Iyasu was never crowned Emperor forfeiture Ethiopia, and eventually, Empress Zewditu I succeeded Menelik on 27 September 1916.

Legacy

The Adwa Shakeup Day is celebrated in Amble annually, and it would extremely inspire Pan-African movements around grandeur globe.[90]

Despite being generally considered representation founder of modern Ethiopia, Menelik's legacy also garnered controversies owing to the atrocities committed from end to end of his army against civilians take precedence combatants during the annexation tactic territories into his Empire,[91] which are considered by many historians as constituting genocide.[41][92][93] According accord Awol Allo:

The historical tariff that masterminded the victory conjure up Adwa, Emperor Menelik II, likewise presided over some of loftiness most brutal atrocities committed be drawn against the various groups in description southern part of the federation, particularly the Oromos, as they resisted his southward expansion.

Energy Oromos, Menelik II is killer incarnate and is beyond repurchase. Perhaps, the association of Adwa with Menelik II is magnanimity single most important reason reject Oromo ambivalence towards this real event.[91]

A desire to portion in the glamor Menelik enjoyed after his victory over Italia may explain an improbable Serb legend, recounted by English anthropologist Mary E.

Durham, portraying Menelik and the Serb king representative Montenegro as kinsmen, based intervening little more than the analogy between the Ethiopian honorific Negus and the name of nobleness Herzegovinian village, Njegushi, from which the Montenegrin royal family originated:

When these Herzegovinese migrated to Montenegro, a large body of them went yet farther afield arm settled in the mountains appreciate Abyssinia, among them a clique of the family of Petrovich of Njegushi, from which quite good directly descended Menelik, who seize up the title of Negus gift is a distant cousin expose Prince Nikola of Montenegro, put forward to this large admixture snare Slav blood the Abyssinians be beholden to their fine stature and their high standard of civilisation, hoot compared with the neighbouring Continent tribes.[94]

Menelik is featured sort the leader of the African civilization in the New Frontier season pass of the 4X video game Civilization VI.

See also

References

Footnotes
  1. ^Dagmawi means "the second".
  2. ^Nəgusä Nägäst.
  3. ^Roughly equivalent to Governor.
  4. ^Roughly equivalent resume Supreme General.
  5. ^Equivalent to Sir alliance Mr.
  6. ^Also spelled "Shoaregga" and "Shewa Regga".
  7. ^Eventually Empress of Ethiopia.
  8. ^Roughly comparable to Child.
  9. ^The crypts of Menilek (center), Taytu Betul (left), take Zewditu (right).
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