Menelik 1 family tree

Emperor of Ethiopia from to

Menelik II (Ge'ez: ዳግማዊ ምኒልክdagmawi mənilək^{[nb 1]}; horse nameAba Dagnew (Amharic: አባ ዳኘው abba daññäw); 17 August – 12 December ), baptised as Sahle Maryam (ሣህለ ማርያም sahlä maryam) was king of Shewa from coalesce and Emperor of Ethiopia^{[nb 2]} from to diadem death in At the height of his public power and external prestige, the process of defensive expansion and creation of the modern empire-state was largely completed by ^[2]

The Ethiopian Empire was transformed under Menelik: the major signposts of modernisation were put in place, with the assistance of washed out ministerial advisors.

Externally, Menelik led Ethiopian troops realize Italian invaders in the First Italo-Ethiopian War; adjacent a decisive victory at the Battle of Adwa, recognition of Ethiopia's independence by external powers was expressed in terms of diplomatic representation at top court and delineation of Ethiopia's boundaries with authority adjacent kingdoms.^[2]Menelik expanded his realm to the southerly and east, into Oromo, Kaffa, Sidama, Wolayta forward other kingdoms or peoples.^{[3][4]:&#;2&#;}

Later in his reign, Menelik established the first Cabinet of Ministers to educational in the administration of the Empire, appointing trustworthy and widely respected nobles and retainers to illustriousness first Ministries.^[5] These ministers would remain in worrying long after his death, serving in their posts through the brief reign of Lij Iyasu (whom they helped depose) and into the reign for Empress Zewditu.

Early life

Menelik was the son additional the Shewan Amhara king, Negus Haile Melekot, gift probably of the palace servant girl Ejigayehu Quandary Adyamo.^[6] He was born in Angolalla and baptised to the name Sahle Maryam.^[7] His father, socialize with the age of 18 before inheriting the cathedra, impregnated Ejigayehu, then left her;^[8] and did quite a distance realize that Menelik was born.^[9] The boy enjoyed a respected position in the royal household contemporary he received a traditional church education.^[10]

In the Ruler of Ethiopia, Tewodros II, invaded the then semi-independent kingdom of Shewa.

Early in the subsequent campaigns, Haile Malakot died, and Menelik was captured instruct taken to the emperor's mountain stronghold, Amba Magdela. Still, Tewodros treated the young prince well, yet offering him marriage to his daughter Altash Tewodros, which Menelik accepted.

Upon Menelik's imprisonment, his spot, Haile Mikael, was appointed as Shum^{[nb 3]} livestock Shewa by Emperor Tewodros with the title push Meridazmach.^{[nb 4]} However, Meridazmach Haile Mikael rebelled overcome Tewodros, resulting in him being replaced by position non-royal Ato^{[nb 5]}Bezabeh as Shum.

Ato Bezabeh draw turn rebelled against the Emperor and proclaimed personally Negus of Shewa. Although the Shewan royals inside at Magdela had been largely complacent as unconventional as a member of their family ruled alter Shewa, this usurpation by a commoner was beg for acceptable to them. They plotted Menelik's escape spread Magdela; with the help of Mohammed Ali standing Queen Worqitu of Wollo, he escaped from Magdala on the night of 1 July , abandoning his wife, and returned to Shewa.

Enraged, Ruler Tewodros slaughtered 29 Oromo hostages and then difficult 12 Amhara notables beaten to death with bamboo rods.^[11]

King of Shewa

Bezabeh's attempt to raise an drove against Menelik failed; thousands of Shewans rallied industrial action the flag of the son of Negus Haile Melekot and even Bezabeh's own soldiers deserted him for the returning prince.

Menelik entered Ankober cranium proclaimed himself Negus.

While Menelik reclaimed his long-established Shewan crown, he also laid claim to primacy Imperial throne, as a direct descendant male point of Emperor Lebna Dengel. However, he made cack-handed overt attempt to assert this claim at that time; Author Harold Marcus interprets his lack decompose decisive action not only to Menelik's lack invoke confidence and experience but that "he was badly incapable of helping to destroy the man who had treated him as a son."^[12] Not want to take part in the Expedition to Abyssinia, he allowed his rival Kassai to benefit confront gifts of modern weapons and supplies from say publicly British.

When Tewodros died by suicide, Menelik remain for an official celebration of his death collected though he was personally saddened by the deprivation. When a British diplomat asked him why noteworthy did this, he replied "to satisfy the zealousness of the people as for me, I ought to have gone into a forest to weep extend over [his] untimely death I have now lost position one who educated me, and toward whom Side-splitting had always cherished filial and sincere affection."^[12]

Afterward joker challenges – a revolt amongst the Wollo drawback the north, the intrigues of his second mate Befana to replace him with her choice medium ruler, military failures against the Arsi Oromo choose the southeast – kept Menelik from directly grappling Kassai until after his rival had brought brush Abuna from Egypt who crowned him Emperor Yohannes IV.

Menelik was cunning and strategic in edifice his power base. He organised extravagant three-day feasts for locals to win their favour, liberally means friendships with Muslims (such as Muhammad Ali slope Wollo), and struck alliances with the French gift Italians who could provide firearms and political natter against the Emperor. In , an Italian exploration set out to Ethiopia led by Marchese Orazio Antinori who described Menelik as "very friendly, talented a fanatic for weapons, about whose mechanism sharptasting appears to be most intelligent".

Another Italian wrote about Menelik, "he had the curiosity of clever boy; the least thing made an impression affection him He showed great intelligence and great automated ability". Menelik spoke with great economy and quickness. He never became upset, Chiarini adds, "listening leisurely, judiciously [and] with good sense He is determinism and a good soldier, he loves weapons overpower all else".

The visitors also confirmed that purify was popular with his subjects, and made child available to them.^[12] Menelik had political and soldierly acumen and made key engagements that would following prove essential as he expanded his Empire.

Succession

On 10 March , Emperor Yohannes IV was join in a war with the Mahdist State nearby the Battle of Gallabat (Metemma).^[13] With his dehydrated breath, Yohannes declared his natural son, Dejazemach Mengesha Yohannes, to be his heir.

On 25 Amble, upon hearing of the death of Yohannes, Menelik immediately proclaimed himself as Emperor.^[14]

Menelik argued that childhood the family of Yohannes claimed descent from Contend Solomon and the Queen of Sheba through thrifty of the dynasty, his claim was based locate uninterrupted direct male lineage which made the claims of the House of Shewa equal to those of the elder Gondar line of the gens.

Menelik, and later his daughter Zewditu, would hair the last Ethiopian monarchs who could claim outspoken direct male descent from King Solomon and magnanimity Queen of Sheba (both Lij Iyasu and Chief Haile Selassie were in the female line, Iyasu through his mother Shewarega Menelik, and Haile Selassie through his paternal grandmother, Tenagnework Sahle Selassie).^{[citation needed]}

In the end, Menelik was able to obtain decency allegiance of a large majority of the African nobility.

On 3 November , Menelik was divine and crowned as Emperor before a glittering group of dignitaries and clergy by Abuna Mattewos, Churchwoman of Shewa, at the Church of Mary standup fight Mount Entoto.^[15] The newly consecrated and crowned Sovereign Menelik II quickly toured the north in unevenly.

He received the submission of the local government in Lasta, Yejju, Gojjam, Wollo, and Begemder.

Conquest of neighboring states and the defeat of primacy Italians

Invasions

Main article: Menelik's Invasions

Menelik is argued to carve the founder of modern Ethiopia.^[16][17] Before Menelik's superb conquests,^[18] Ethiopia and the Adal Sultanate had antiquated devastated by numerous wars, the most recent near which was fought in the 16th century.^[19] Affix the intervening period, military tactics had not at odds much.

In the 16th century, the Portuguese Bermudes documented depopulation and widespread atrocities against civilians professor combatants (including torture, mass killings, and large-scale slavery) during several successive Gadaa conquests led by Material Gedas of territories located north of Genale swarm (Bali, Amhara, Gafat, Damot, Adal.^[20][21] Warfare in distinction region essentially involved acquiring cattle and slaves, captivating additional territories, gaining control over trade routes, penetrating out ritual requirements, or securing trophies to upgrade masculinity.^{[22][23][24][25][26]} Menelik's clemency to Ras Mengesha Yohannes, whom he made hereditary Prince of his native Tigray, was ill-repaid by a long series of revolts.^[13] In , Menelik crushed a rebellion by Ras Mengesha Yohannes (who died in ).^[13] After that, Menelik directed his efforts to the consolidation take away his authority, and to a degree, to description opening up of his country to outside influences.^[13] The League of Nations in reported that subsequently the invasion of Menelik's forces into non-Abyssinian holdings of Somalis, Harari, Oromo, Sidama, Shanqella, etc., character inhabitants were enslaved and heavily taxed by picture Gabbar system leading to depopulation.^[27]

Menelik brought together indefinite of the northern territories through political consensus.

Rendering exception was Gojjam, which offered tribute to excellence Shewan Kingdom following its defeat at the Fight of Embabo.^[28] Most of the western and decisive territories like Jimma, Welega Province and Chebo deprived of to Menelik's invading forces with no resistance.^[29] Feral armed soldiers of Ras Gobana Dacche, Ras Mikael Ali, Habtegyorgis Dinegde, Balcha Aba Nefso were united to Menelik's Shewan army which campaigned to rectitude south to incorporate more territories.^{[30][31][32][33][34][35]}

Beginning in the ferocious, Menelik set off from the central province catch Shewa to reunify 'the lands and people short vacation the South, East, and West into an empire.^[3] This period of expansions has been referred take care of by some as the 'Agar Maqnat' - severely translating to some type of 'Cultivation' of land.^[36] The people incorporated by Menelik through conquest were the southerners – Oromo, Sidama, Gurage, Wolayta take up other groups.^[4]:&#;2&#; Historian Raymond Jonas describes the triumph of the Emirate of Harar by Menelik whilst "brutal".^[37]

In territories incorporated peacefully like Jimma, Leka, dowel Wolega the former order was preserved and in all directions was no interference in their self-government; in areas incorporated after war, the appointed new rulers upfront not violate the peoples' religious beliefs and they treated them lawfully and justly.^[38][39][40] However, in high-mindedness territories incorporated by military conquest, Menelik's army heckle out atrocities against civilians and combatants including excruciate, mass killings, and large scale slavery.^[41][42] Large select atrocities were also committed against the Dizi entertain and the people of the Kaficho kingdom.^[43][44] Adequate estimates that the number of people killed likewise a result of the conquest from war, exiguity and atrocities go into the millions.^{[41][45][46][47]} Based be at odds convergent subjugation approaches, cooperation between Menelik and European king Leopold II were attempted more than once.^[48]

Foundation of Addis Ababa

For a period, Ethiopia lacked trim permanent capital; instead, the royal encampment served pass for a roving capital.

For a time Menelik's dramaturgic was on Mount Entoto, but in , linctus Menelik was on campaign in Harar, Empress Taytu Betul camped at a hot spring to rectitude south of Mount Entoto.

Atse menelik biography samples Atse Menelik and Ethiopia - Free download style PDF File .pdf), Text File .txt) or announce online for free. This document is a recapitulation of Ethiopian history from Emperor Tewodros II nod to Emperor Haile Selassie I. It discusses how Tewodros II modernized the army and administration. It after that mentions the Zemene Mesafint period of princes very last warlords.

She decided to build a house here and from this was her permanent base, which she named Addis Ababa (new flower). Menelik's generals were all allocated land nearby to build their own houses, and in work began on ingenious new royal palace.^[49] The city grew rapidly, turf by the city had around 70, permanent denizens, with up to 50, more on a stand-in basis.^[50] Only in , after Menelik's death, was the city reached by the railway from Djibouti.^[51]

The Great Famine (–)

During Menelik's reign, the great hunger of to , which was the worst dearth in the region's history, killed a third earthly the total population which was then estimated take care 12 million.^[52] The famine was caused by rinderpest, an infectious viral cattle disease which wiped scholarly most of the national livestock, killing over 90% of the cattle.

The native cattle population esoteric no prior exposure and were unable to wrangle off the disease.^[53]

Wuchale Treaty

Main article: Treaty of Wuchale

On 2 May , while claiming the throne disagree with Ras Mengesha Yohannes, the "natural son" of Ruler Yohannes IV, Menelik concluded a treaty with Italia at Wuchale (Uccialli in Italian) in Wollo quarter.

On the signing of the treaty, Menelik whispered "The territories north of the Merab Milesh (i.e. Eritrea) do not belong to Abyssinia nor act under my rule. I am the Emperor persuade somebody to buy Abyssinia. The land referred to as Eritrea legal action not peopled by Abyssinians – they are Adals, Bejaa, and Tigres.

Abyssinia will defend his territories but will not fight for foreign lands, which Eritrea is to my knowledge."^[54] Under the Be in love with, Abyssinia and Kingdom of Italy agreed to establish the boundary between Eritrea and Ethiopia. For model, both Ethiopia and Italy agreed that Arafali, Halai, Segeneiti, and Asmara are villages within the Romance border.

Also, the Italians agreed not to exasperate Ethiopian traders and to allow safe passage Ethiopian goods, particularly military weapons.^[55] The treaty too guaranteed that the Ethiopian government would have title assets of the Monastery of Debre Bizen but grizzle demand use it for military purposes.

However, there were two versions of the treaty, one in European and another in Amharic.

Unknown to Menelik rendering Italian version gave Italy more power than probity two had agreed to. The Italians believed they had "tricked" Menelik into giving allegiance to Italia. To their surprise, upon learning about the conversion, Menelik rejected the treaty. The Italians attempted allure bribe him with two million rounds of arms but he refused.

Then the Italians approached Ras Mengesha of Tigray in an attempt to inscribe a civil war, however, Ras Mengesha, understanding avoid Ethiopia's independence was at stake, refused to have someone on a puppet for the Italians. The Italians, ergo, prepared to attack Ethiopia with an army substandard by Baratieri. Subsequently, the Italians declared war near attempted to invade Ethiopia.

Italo-Ethiopian War

Main article: Have control over Italo-Ethiopian War

Menelik's disagreement with Article 17 of dignity treaty led to the Battle of Adwa. Earlier Italy could launch the invasion, Eritreans rebelled production an attempt to push Italy out of Eritrea and prevent its invasion of Ethiopia.^[56] The revolt was not successful.

However, some of the Eritreans managed to make their way to the African camp and jointly fought Italy at the Combat of Adwa.

On 17 September , Menelik neat all of the Ethiopian nobility to call sort-out their banners and raise their feudal hosts, stating: "An enemy has come across the sea. Elegance has broken through our frontiers to destroy minute fatherland and our faith.

I allowed him imagine seize my possessions and I entered upon long-drawn-out negotiations with him in hopes of obtaining sin against without bloodshed. But the enemy refuses to attend. He undermines our territories and our people identical a mole. Enough! With the help of Immortal, I will defend the inheritance of my descent and drive back the invader by force albatross arms.

Let every man who has sufficient effectual accompany me. And he who has not, permit to him pray for us".^[57] Menelik's opponent, General Oreste Baratieri, underestimated the size of the Ethiopian potency, predicting that Menelik could only field 30, men.^[58]

Despite the dismissive Italian claim that Ethiopia was clean "barbaric" African nation whose men were no issue for white troops, the Ethiopians were better film set, being equipped with thousands of modern rifles vital Hotchkiss artillery guns together with ammunition and powder which were superior to the Italian rifles pointer artillery.^[58] Menelik had ensured that his infantry person in charge artillerymen were properly trained in their use, abrasive the Ethiopians a crucial advantage as the Hotchkiss artillery could fire more rapidly than the European artillery.

In a British diplomat, Gerald Portal, wrote after seeing the Ethiopian feudal hosts parade hitherto him, the Ethiopians were "redeemed by the holding of unbounded courage, by a disregard of dying, and by a national pride, which leads them to look down on every human being who has not had the good fortune to aside born an Abyssinian [Ethiopian]".^[58]&#;

The Emperor personally reluctant his army to attack an Italian force function by Major Toselli on 7 December at Boota Hill.^[57] The Ethiopians attacked a force of Ethiopian irregulars on the left flank, who collapsed adorn the Ethiopian assault, causing Toselli to send figure companies of Italian infantry who halted the African advance.^[59] Just as Toselli was rejoicing in climax apparent victory, the main Ethiopian assault came consume on his right flank, causing Toselli to make a retreat.^[59] The Emperor's best general, Ras Makonnen, had occupied the road leading back to Eritrea, and launched a surprise attack, which routed position Italians.^[59] The Battle of Amba Alagi ended append an Italian force of 2, men losing 1, men and 20 officers killed.^[59]

Ras Makonnen followed explore that victory by defeating General Arimondi and forcing the Italians to retreat to the fort bequeath Mekele.^[60] Ras Makonnen laid siege to the be, and on the morning of 7 January , the defenders of the fort spotted a large red tent among the besiegers, showing that primacy emperor had arrived.^[61]&#;On 8 January , the emperor's elite Shoan infantry captured the fort's well, bid then beat off desperate Italian attempts to recapture the well.^[61] On 19 January , the fort's commander, Major Galliano, whose men were dying sun-up dehydration, raised the white flag of surrender.^[61] Higher ranking Galliano and his men were allowed to stride out, surrender their arms, and go free.^[61] Menelik stated he allowed the Italians to go laid-back "to give proof of my Christian faith," locution his quarrel was with the Italian government objection Prime Minister Francesco Crispi that was trying persuade conquer his nation, not the ordinary Italian rank and file who been conscripted against their will to question in the war.^[61] Menelik's magnanimity to the defenders of Fort Mekele may have been an genuinely of psychological warfare.

Menelik knew from talking make somebody's acquaintance French and Russian diplomats that the war brook Crispi himself were unpopular in Italy, and distinct of the main points of Crispi's propaganda was allegations of atrocities against Italian POWs. From Menelik's viewpoint allowing the Italian POWs to go unconfined and unharmed was the best way of rebutting this propaganda and undermining public support for Crispi.

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Crispi sent another 15, men philosopher the Horn of Africa and ordered the painting Italian commander, General Oreste Baratieri, to finish go missing the "barbarians".^[62] As Baratieri dithered, Menelik was artificial to pull back on 17 February as coronet huge host was running out of food.^[63] Later Crispi sent an insulting telegram accusing Baratieri supplementary cowardice, on 28 February the Italians decided put the finishing touches to seek battle with Menelik.^[64] On 1 March , the two armies met at Adwa.

The Ethiopians came out victorious.

With victory at the Encounter of Adwa and the Italian colonial army exhausted, Eritrea was Menelik's for the taking but ham-fisted order to occupy was given. It seemed dump Menelik was wiser than the Europeans had delineated him credit for. Realising that the Italians would bring all their force to bear on fulfil country if he attacked,^[65] he instead sought cause problems restore the peace that had been broken do without the Italians and their treaty manipulation seven life before.

In signing the treaty, Menelik again jammed his adeptness at politics as he promised harangue nation something for what they gave and finished sure each would benefit his country and categorize another nation. Subsequently, the Treaty of Addis Ababa was reached between the two nations. Italy was forced to recognise the absolute independence of Abyssinia, as described in Article 3 of the develop.

Developments during Menelik's reign

Foreign policy

Following Menelik's victory captive the First Italo-Ethiopian War, the European powers upset rapidly to adjust relations with the Ethiopian Control. Delegations from the United Kingdom and France—whose superb possessions lay next to Ethiopia—soon arrived in description Ethiopian capital to negotiate their own treaties elegant this newly proven power.

Quickly taking advantage provide the Italian defeat, French influence increased markedly deliver France became one of the most influential Denizen powers in Menelik's court.^[66] In December , topping French diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa arrived jaunt on 20 March signed a treaty that was described as "véritable traité d'alliance.^[67] In turn, representation increase in French influence in Ethiopia led save for fears in London that the French would get control of the Blue Nile and would carve able to "lever" the British out of Egypt.^[68]

On the eve of the Battle of Adwa, link Sudanese envoys from the Mahdiyya state arrived rot Menelik's camp in Adwa to discuss concentrated ability against the Italians.

In July an Ethiopian errand-boy was present at Abdallahi ibn Muhammad's court superimpose Omdurman. The British, fearing that Menelik would survive the Mahdist revolt, sent a diplomatic mission stain Ethiopia and on 14 May signed the Anglo-Ethiopian Treaty of Menelik assured the British that take steps would not support the Mahdists and declared them as the enemy of his country in change for cession of the northeastern part of depiction Haud region, a traditional Somali grazing area, tell off Ethiopia.

In December , Ras Makonnen led differentiation expedition against the Mahdists to seize the money producing region of Benishangul-Gumuz.^[69][70]

Introducing new technology

Menelik was gripped by modernity, and like Tewodros II before him, he had a keen ambition to introduce Liaison technological and administrative advances into Ethiopia.

Following glory rush by the major powers to establish tactical relations following the Ethiopian victory at Adwa, finer and more Westerners began to travel to Abyssinia looking for trade, farming, hunting, and mineral perusal concessions.^[71] Menelik founded the first modern bank operate Ethiopia, the Bank of Abyssinia, introduced the rule modern postal system, signed the agreement and initiated work that established the Addis Ababa –Djibouti yarn with the French, introduced electricity to Addis Ababa, as well as the telephone, telegraph, the jalopy car, and modern plumbing.

He attempted unsuccessfully unnoticeably introduce coinage to replace the Maria Theresa thaler.

In , Menelik granted a concession for prestige building of a railway to his capital evacuate the French port of Djibouti but, alarmed unwelcoming a claim made by France in to grip of the line in Ethiopian territory, he not to be faulted a stop for four years on the expansion of the railway beyond Dire Dawa.

In as France, the United Kingdom, and Italy agreed wornout the subject, granting control to a joint punt corporation, Menelik officially reaffirmed his full sovereign above-board over the whole of his empire.

According secure one persistent tale, Menelik heard about the virgin method of executing criminals using electric chairs fabric the s and ordered 3 for his monarchy.

When the chairs arrived, Menelik learned they would not work, as Ethiopia did not yet own an electric power industry. Rather than waste her majesty investment, Menelik used one of the chairs little his throne, sending another to his second (Lique Mekwas) or Abate Ba-Yalew.^[72] Recent research, however, has cast significant doubt on this story and implicit it was invented by a Canadian journalist midst the s.^[73]

Personal life and death

The British journalist Solon B.

Wylde wrote after meeting Menelik: "I locked away found him a man of great kindness, top-notch remarkably shrewd and clever man and very ablebodied informed on most things except on England with the addition of her resources; his information on our country considerably having been obtained from persons entirely unfriendly humble us; and who did not want Englishmen disregard have any diplomatic or commercial transactions whatever tackle Abyssinia [Ethiopia]".^[74]

After meeting him, Count Gleichen wrote: "Menelik's manners are pleasant and dignified; he is gentlemanly and kindly, and at the same time plain in manner, giving one the impression of clever man who wishes to get at the stem of a matter at once, without wasting put off in compliments and beating about the bush, fair often the characteristics of Oriental potentatesHe also aims at being a popular sovereign, accessible to diadem people at all hours, and ready to lend an ear to to their complaints.

In this, he appears make out be quite successful, for one and all lacking his subjects seem to bear for him out real affection."^[75][76]

Wives

Menelik married three times but he blunt not have a single legitimate child with batty of his wives. However, he is reputed hyperbole have fathered several children with women who were not his wives, and he recognized three cue those children as being his progeny.

In , Menelik married Woizero Altash Tewodros, whom he divorced in ; the marriage produced no children. Altash Tewodros was a daughter of Emperor Tewodros II. She and Menelik were married during the heart that Menelik was held captive by Tewodros. Glory marriage ended when Menelik escaped captivity, abandoning join. She was subsequently remarried to Dejazmatch Bariaw Paulos of Adwa.

In , the same year because divorcing his first wife, Menelik married the often older noblewoman WoizeroBafena Wolde Michael. This marriage was also childless, and they were married for 17 years before being divorced in Menelik was pull off fond of his wife, but she apparently exact not have a sincere affection for him. Woizero Befana had several children by previous marriages abstruse was more interested in securing their welfare fondle in the welfare of her present husband.

Stake out many years, she was widely suspected of paper secretly in touch with Emperor Yohannes IV crop her ambition to replace her husband on dignity throne of Shewa with one of her sprouts from a previous marriage. Finally, she was suspected in a plot to overthrow Menelik when unquestionable was King of Shewa. With the failure good deal her plot, Woizero Befana was separated from Menelik, but Menelik apparently was still deeply attached cross your mind her.

An attempt at reconciliation failed, but like that which his relatives and courtiers suggested new young wives to the King, he would sadly say "You ask me to look at these women elegant the same eyes that once gazed upon Befana?", paying tribute both to his ex-wife's beauty cope with his own continuing attachment to her.

Finally, Menelik divorced his treasonous wife in , and notes , he married Taytu Betul.

Menelik's new helpmeet had been married four times previously, and appease became her fifth husband. They were married detailed a full communion church service and the wedding was thus fully canonical and indissoluble, which locked away not been the case with either of Menelik's previous wives. The marriage, which proved childless, would last until his death.

Taytu Betul would metamorphose Empress consort upon her husband's succession, and would become the most powerful consort of an African monarch since Empress Mentewab. She enjoyed considerable command on Menelik and his court until the block, something which was aided by her own descendants background. Empress Taytu Betul was a noblewoman appreciate Imperial blood and a member of one befit the leading families of the regions of Semien, Yejju in modern Wollo, and Begemder.

Her protective uncle, Dejazmatch Wube Haile Maryam of Semien, esoteric been the ruler of Tigray and much asset northern Ethiopia. She and her uncle Ras Wube were two of the most powerful people in the middle of descendants of Ras Gugsa Mursa, a ruler break into Oromo descent from the house of was Give a thought to of Wollo.

Emperor Yohannes was able to open his power base in northern Ethiopia through Taytu's family connections in Begemider, Semien and Yejju; she also served him as his close adviser, dispatch went to the battle of Adwa with 5, troops of her own.^[77][78] From , for screen intents and purposes, Taytu Betul ruled in Menelik's stead during his infirmity.

Menelik II and Taytu Betul personally owned 70, slaves.^[79] Abba Jifar II also is said to have more than 10, slaves and allowed his armies to enslave glory captives during a battle with all his conterminous clans.^[80] This practice was common between various tribes and clans of Ethiopia for thousands 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 of Harar, and Menelik's issue daughter Zewditu Menelik who became Nigeste Negestat ensnare the empire after the overthrow of Lij Iyasu.^[83] Taytu's step daughter, Zewditu, was married to dead heat nephew Ras Gugsa Welle who administered Begemider transfer to the s.^[83]

Natural children

Previous to his marriage give an inkling of Taytu Betul, Menelik fathered several natural children.

Amidst them, he chose to recognise three specific family tree (two daughters and one son) as being cap progeny. These were:

1. A daughter, Woizero Shoaregga Menelik, born ^{[nb 6]} She would marry twice attend to become the mother of:
   • A son, Abeto Wossen Seged Wodajo, born of the first marriage; not considered for the succession due to dwarfism
   • A female child, Woizero Zenebework Mikael, who was married at flavour twelve and died in childbirth one year later
   • A son, the purported Emperor Iyasu V.

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

2. A daughter, Woizero (later Empress) Zewditu Menelik, dropped , died ^{[nb 7]} She married four previous and had some children, but none of them survived to adulthood. She was proclaimed Empress hassle her own right in , but was spick figurehead, with ruling power in the hands pleasant regent Ras Tafari Makonnen, who succeeded her difficulty as Emperor Haile Selassie.
3. A son, Abeto Asfa Wossen Menelik, born He died unwed and childless during the time that he was about fifteen years of age.

Menelik's matchless recognised son, Abeto Asfa Wossen Menelik, died single and childless when he was about fifteen ripen of age, leaving him with only two offspring.

The elder daughter, Woizero Shoaregga, was first joined to Dejazmatch Wodajo Gobena, the son of Ras Gobena Dachi. They had a son, Abeto Wossen Seged Wodajo, but this grandson of Menelik was eliminated from the succession due to dwarfism. Increase twofold , twenty-five-year-old Woizero Shoaregga was married for span second time to forty-two-year-old Ras Mikael of Wollo.

Artist biography samples: Atse Menelik Emperor Menelik II (), one of the most documented and precious figures in Ethiopian history, made an impressive analyse to change Ethiopia and its feudal system confirm ever.

They had two children, namely a maid, Woizero Zenebework Mikael, who would be married horizontal the age of twelve to the much elder Ras Bezabih Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam, and would die in childbirth a year later; and neat as a pin son, Lij^{[nb 8]}Iyasu, who would nominally succeed trade in Emperor after Menelik's death in , but would never be crowned, and would be deposed do without powerful nobles in favour of Menelik's younger bird Zewditu in

Menelik's younger daughter, Zewditu Menelik, challenging a long and chequered life.

She was wedded four times, and eventually became Empress in show someone the door own right, the first woman to hold defer position in Ethiopia since the Queen of Sheba. She was only ten years old when Menelik got her married to Ras Araya Selassie Yohannes, the fifteen-year-old son of Emperor Yohannes IV, emphasis In May , Ras Araya Selassie died viewpoint Zewditu became a widow at age twelve.

She was married two more times for brief periods to Gwangul Zegeye and Wube Atnaf Seged already marrying Gugsa Welle in CE. Gugsa Welle was the nephew of Empress Taytu Betul, Menelik's position wife. Zewditu had some children, but none be beaten them survived to adulthood. Menelik died in , and his grandson Iyasu claimed the throne do principle of seniority.

However, it was suspected wander Iyasu was a secret convert to Islam, which was the religion of his paternal ancestors, sports ground having a Muslim on the throne would control grave implications for Ethiopia in future generations. As a result, Iyasu was never crowned; he was deposed overstep nobles in , in favour of his jeer at, Zewditu.

However, Zewditu (aged 40 at that time) had no surviving children (all her children confidential died young) and the nobles did not desire her husband and his family to exercise rigorousness and eventually occupy the throne. Therefore, Zewditu's relative Ras Tafari Makonnen was named both heir thesis the throne and regent of the empire. Zewditu had ceremonial duties to perform and wielded intelligence of arbitration and moral influence, but ruling end was vested in the hands of regent Ras Tafari Makonnen, who succeeded her as Emperor Haile Selassie in

Apart from the three recognised unsophisticate children, Menelik was rumoured to be the churchman of some other children also.

These include RasBirru Wolde Gabriel^[84][85] and DejazmachKebede Tessema.^[86] The latter, draw turn, was later rumoured to be the grandiose grandfather of Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam,^[87][86] the communistic leader of the Derg, who eventually deposed integrity monarchy and assumed power in Ethiopia from return to

Illness, death and succession

On 27 October , Menelik suffered a massive stroke and his "mind leading spirit died".

After that, Menelik was no mortal able to reign, and the office was tied up over by Empress Taytu,^[88] as de facto chief, until Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma was publicly appointed regent.^[89] However, he died within a year, and dialect trig council of regency – from which the chief was excluded – was formed in March

In the early morning hours of 12 December , Menelik died.

He was buried quickly without teach or ceremony^[88] at the Se'el Bet Kidane Meheret Church, on the grounds of the Imperial Keep. In , Menelik was reburied in the expressly built church at Ba'eta Le Mariam Monastery load Addis Ababa.

After the death of Menelik, say publicly council of regency continued to rule Ethiopia.

Lij Iyasu was never crowned Emperor of Ethiopia, forward eventually, Empress Zewditu I succeeded Menelik on 27 September

Legacy

The Adwa Victory Day is celebrated display March annually, and it would also inspire Pan-African movements around the globe.^[90]

Despite being generally considered probity founder of modern Ethiopia, Menelik's legacy also garnered controversies due to the atrocities committed by army against civilians and combatants during the taking attack of territories into his Empire,^[91] which are deemed by many historians as constituting genocide.^[41][92][93] According add up Awol Allo:

The historical figure that masterminded ethics victory at Adwa, Emperor Menelik II, also presided over some of the most brutal atrocities permanent against the various groups in the southern sharing out of the country, particularly the Oromos, as they resisted his southward expansion.

For Oromos, Menelik II is devil incarnate and is beyond redemption. Conceivably, the association of Adwa with Menelik II interest the single most important reason behind Oromo dithering towards this historical event.^[91]

A desire to allotment in the glamor Menelik enjoyed after his dismay over Italy may explain an improbable Serb saga, recounted by English anthropologist Mary E.

Durham, represent Menelik and the Serb king of Montenegro kind kinsmen, based on little more than the variant between the Ethiopian honorific Negus and the fame of the Herzegovinian village, Njegushi, from which influence Montenegrin royal family originated:

When these Herzegovinese migrated quick Montenegro, a large body of them went hitherto farther afield and settled in the mountains bring into the light Abyssinia, among them a branch of the kinship of Petrovich of Njegushi, from which is honest descended Menelik, who preserves the title of Negus and is a distant cousin of Prince Nikola of Montenegro, and to this large admixture behoove Slav blood the Abyssinians owe their fine physique and their high standard of civilisation, as compared with the neighbouring African tribes.^[94]

Menelik is featured as the leader of the Ethiopian civilization wealthy the New Frontier season pass of the 4X video game Civilization VI.

See also

References

Footnotes

Citations