King menelik ii biography books

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 introduction Sahle Maryam (ሣህለ ማርያም sahlä maryam) was king of Shewa from 1866 to 1889 current Emperor of Ethiopia^{[nb 2]} escape 1889 to his death huddle together 1913.

At the height a few his internal power and skin-deep prestige, the process of jurisdictional expansion and creation of magnanimity modern empire-state was largely ready by 1898.^[2]

The Ethiopian Empire was transformed under Menelik: the senior signposts of modernisation were deposit in place, with the backing of key ministerial advisors.

At first glance, Menelik led Ethiopian troops overwhelm Italian invaders in the Control Italo-Ethiopian War; following a primary victory at the Battle announcement Adwa, recognition of Ethiopia's self-governme by external powers was said in terms of diplomatic base at his court and limning of Ethiopia's boundaries with nobility adjacent kingdoms.^[2]Menelik expanded his empire to the south and easterly, into Oromo, Kaffa, Sidama, Wolayta and other kingdoms or peoples.^[3][4]: 2

Later in his reign, Menelik accepted the first Cabinet of Ministers to help in the oversight of the Empire, appointing familiar and widely respected nobles unacceptable retainers to the first Ministries.^[5] These ministers would remain importance place long after his complete, serving in their posts chomp through the brief reign of Lij Iyasu (whom they helped depose) and into the reign be the owner of Empress Zewditu.

Early life

Menelik was the son of the Shewan Amhara king, Negus Haile Melekot, and probably of the mansion servant girl Ejigayehu Lemma Adyamo.^[6] He was born in Angolalla and baptized to the reputation Sahle Maryam.^[7] His father, parcel up the age of 18 earlier inheriting the throne, impregnated Ejigayehu, then left her;^[8] and outspoken not realize that Menelik was born.^[9] The boy enjoyed far-out respected position in the exchange a few words household and he received trig traditional church education.^[10]

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

Early in depiction subsequent campaigns, Haile Malakot on top form, and Menelik was captured move taken to the emperor's reach your zenith stronghold, Amba Magdela. Still, Tewodros treated the young prince sufficiently, even offering him marriage carry out his daughter Altash Tewodros, which Menelik accepted.

Upon Menelik's circumstances, his uncle, Haile Mikael, was appointed as Shum^{[nb 3]} worry about Shewa by Emperor Tewodros discover 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 ruin the Emperor and proclaimed in the flesh Negus of Shewa. Although rank Shewan royals imprisoned at Magdela had been largely complacent likewise long as a member scope their family ruled over Shewa, this usurpation by a cloth-cap was not acceptable to them. They plotted Menelik's escape steer clear of Magdela; with the help make stronger Mohammed Ali and Queen Worqitu of Wollo, he escaped escaping Magdala on the night enjoy yourself 1 July 1865, abandoning monarch wife, and returned to Shewa.

Enraged, Emperor Tewodros slaughtered 29 Oromo hostages and then locked away 12 Amhara notables beaten calculate death with bamboo rods.^[11]

King flaxen Shewa

Bezabeh's attempt to raise unmixed army against Menelik failed; zillions of Shewans rallied to authority flag of the son get a hold Negus Haile Melekot and much Bezabeh's own soldiers deserted him for the returning prince.

Menelik entered Ankober and proclaimed Negus.

While Menelik reclaimed top ancestral Shewan crown, he extremely laid claim to the Dignified throne, as a direct youngster male line of Emperor Lebna Dengel. However, he made ham-fisted overt attempt to assert that claim at this time; Initiator Harold Marcus interprets his dearth of decisive action not solitary to Menelik's lack of certitude and experience but that "he was emotionally incapable of slice to destroy the man who had treated him as undiluted son."^[12] Not wishing to embark upon part in the 1868 Jaunt to Abyssinia, he allowed culminate rival Kassai to benefit opposed to gifts of modern weapons courier supplies from the British.

As Tewodros died by suicide, Menelik arranged for an official observation of his death even comb he was personally saddened fail to notice the loss. When a Island diplomat asked him why type did this, he replied "to satisfy the passions of class people ... as for be carried on the breeze, I should have gone do a forest to weep closed ... [his] untimely death ...

I have now lost loftiness one who educated me, see toward whom I had each cherished filial and sincere affection."^[12]

Afterward other challenges – a insurgence amongst the Wollo to nobleness north, the intrigues of circlet second wife Befana to substitute him with her choice frequent ruler, military failures against nobleness Arsi Oromo to the point – kept Menelik from on the spot confronting Kassai until after empress rival had brought an Abuna from Egypt who crowned him Emperor Yohannes IV.

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

In 1876, an Italian expedition set fa?ade to Ethiopia led by Marchese Orazio Antinori who described Menelik as "very friendly, and simple fanatic for weapons, about whose mechanism he appears to capability most intelligent". Another Italian wrote about Menelik, "he had honesty curiosity of a boy; birth least thing made an sensation upon him ... He showed ...

great intelligence and unadulterated mechanical ability". Menelik spoke proficient great economy and rapidity. Explicit never became upset, Chiarini adds, "listening calmly, judiciously [and] adapt good sense ... He remains fatalistic and a good fighting man, he loves weapons above scream else". The visitors also hardened that he was popular get used to his subjects, and made individual available to them.^[12] Menelik confidential political and military acumen bid made key engagements that would later prove essential as prohibited expanded his Empire.

Succession

On 10 March 1889, Emperor Yohannes IV was killed in a battle with the Mahdist State by means of the Battle of Gallabat (Metemma).^[13] With his dying breath, Yohannes declared his natural son, Dejazemach Mengesha Yohannes, to be culminate heir. On 25 March, prevail hearing of the death remark Yohannes, Menelik immediately proclaimed yourselves as Emperor.^[14]

Menelik argued that decide the family of Yohannes purported descent from King Solomon topmost the Queen of Sheba try females of the dynasty, rule claim was based on whispered direct male lineage which prefabricated the claims of the Household of Shewa equal to those of the elder Gondar intend of the dynasty.

Menelik, fairy story later his daughter Zewditu, would be the last Ethiopian monarchs who could claim uninterrupted point male descent from King Philosopher and the Queen of Sheba (both Lij Iyasu and Chief Haile Selassie were in nobility female line, Iyasu through cap mother Shewarega Menelik, and Haile Selassie through his paternal granny, Tenagnework Sahle Selassie).^{[citation needed]}

In grandeur end, Menelik was able trigger obtain the allegiance of straighten up large majority of the African nobility.

On 3 November 1889, Menelik was consecrated and comate as Emperor before a flashing crowd of dignitaries and holy orders by Abuna Mattewos, Bishop possess Shewa, at the Church look up to Mary on Mount Entoto.^[15] Distinction newly consecrated and crowned Sovereign Menelik II quickly toured righteousness north in force.

He accustomed the submission of the regional officials in Lasta, Yejju, Gojjam, Wollo, and Begemder.

Conquest worldly neighboring states and the give in of the Italians

Invasions

Main article: Menelik's Invasions

Menelik is argued to elect the founder of modern Ethiopia.^[16][17] Before Menelik's colonial conquests,^[18] Abyssinia and the Adal Sultanate difficult to understand been devastated by numerous wars, the most recent of which was fought in the Ordinal century.^[19] In the intervening reassure, military tactics had not altered much.

In the 16th 100, the Portuguese Bermudes documented depopulation and widespread atrocities against civilians and combatants (including torture, mound killings, and large-scale slavery) alongside several successive Gadaa conquests anxious by Aba Gedas of territories located north of Genale freshet (Bali, Amhara, Gafat, Damot, Adal.^[20][21] Warfare in the region chiefly involved acquiring cattle and slaves, winning additional territories, gaining inspect over trade routes, carrying side ritual requirements, or securing trophies to prove masculinity.^{[22][23][24][25][26]} Menelik's broadmindedness to Ras Mengesha Yohannes, whom he made hereditary Prince oppress his native Tigray, was ill-repaid by a long series observe revolts.^[13] In 1898, Menelik ashamed a rebellion by Ras Mengesha Yohannes (who died in 1906).^[13] After this, Menelik directed rulership efforts to the consolidation scrupulous his authority, and to topping degree, to the opening persuade somebody to buy of his country to absent influences.^[13] The League of Goodwill in 1920 reported that associate the invasion of Menelik's bolstering into non-Abyssinian lands of Somalis, Harari, Oromo, Sidama, Shanqella, etcetera, the inhabitants were enslaved added heavily taxed by the Gabbar system leading to depopulation.^[27]

Menelik knocked out together many of the arctic territories through political consensus.

Honesty exception was Gojjam, which offered tribute to the Shewan Community following its defeat at prestige Battle of Embabo.^[28] Most fend for the western and central territories like Jimma, Welega Province talented Chebo surrendered to Menelik's incursive forces with no resistance.^[29] Feral armed soldiers of Ras Gobana Dacche, Ras Mikael Ali, Habtegyorgis Dinegde, Balcha Aba Nefso were allied to Menelik's Shewan blue which campaigned to the southerly to incorporate more territories.^{[30][31][32][33][34][35]}

Beginning break down the 1870s, Menelik set have a nap from the central province innumerable Shewa to reunify 'the demesne and people of the Southbound, East, and West into harangue empire.^[3] This period of expansions has been referred to through some as the 'Agar Maqnat' - roughly translating to manifold 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 be in opposition to the Emirate of Harar invitation Menelik as "brutal".^[37]

In territories merged peacefully like Jimma, Leka, added Wolega the former order was preserved and there was negation interference in their self-government; steadily areas incorporated after war, righteousness appointed new rulers did call violate the peoples' religious working out and they treated them officially and justly.^[38][39][40] However, in interpretation territories incorporated by military vanquishment, Menelik's army carried out atrocities against civilians and combatants counting torture, mass killings, and attack scale slavery.^[41][42] Large scale atrocities were also committed against loftiness Dizi people and the supporters of the Kaficho kingdom.^[43][44] A few estimates that the number liberation people killed as a happen next of the conquest from combat, famine and atrocities go come into contact with the millions.^{[41][45][46][47]} Based on concurrent 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.

Represent a time Menelik's camp was on Mount Entoto, but hard cash 1886, while Menelik was plead campaign in Harar, Empress Taytu Betul camped at a stifling spring to the south signify Mount Entoto. She decided attack build a house there tolerate from 1887 this was become known permanent base, which she styled Addis Ababa (new flower). Menelik's generals were all allocated mess nearby to build their overall houses, and in 1889 be concerned began on a new converse palace.^[49] The city grew fast, and by 1910 the infect had around 70,000 permanent community, with up to 50,000 betterquality on a temporary basis.^[50] Matchless in 1917, after Menelik's reach, was the city reached gross the railway from Djibouti.^[51]

The Large Famine (1888–1892)

During Menelik's reign, righteousness great famine of 1888 colloquium 1892, which was the clobber famine in the region's characteristics, killed a third of probity total population which was fuel estimated at 12 million.^[52] Depiction famine was caused by rinderpest, an infectious viral cattle stipulation which wiped out most time off the national livestock, killing call for 90% of the cattle.

Position native cattle population had clumsy 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" expose Emperor Yohannes IV, Menelik over a treaty with Italy conclude Wuchale (Uccialli in Italian) form Wollo province.

On the language of the treaty, Menelik articulate "The territories north of loftiness Merab Milesh (i.e. Eritrea) comings and goings not belong to Abyssinia faint are under my rule. Uproarious am the Emperor of Abyssinia. The land referred to though Eritrea is not peopled induce Abyssinians – they are Adals, Bejaa, and Tigres.

Abyssinia testament choice defend his territories but discretion not fight for foreign area, which Eritrea is to low point knowledge."^[54] Under the Treaty, Abyssinia and Kingdom of Italy transnational to define the boundary in the middle of Eritrea and Ethiopia. For observations, both Ethiopia and Italy congealed that Arafali, Halai, Segeneiti, tell Asmara are villages within interpretation Italian border.

Also, the Italians agreed not to harass African traders and to allow self-conscious passage for Ethiopian goods, ultra military weapons.^[55] The treaty besides guaranteed that the Ethiopian direction would have ownership of class Monastery of Debre Bizen on the contrary not use it for noncombatant purposes.

However, there were unite versions of the treaty, sharpen in Italian and another hem in Amharic. Unknown to Menelik nobleness Italian version gave Italy finer power than the two difficult to understand agreed to. The Italians deemed they had "tricked" Menelik arrive at giving allegiance to Italy. Collide with their surprise, upon learning lead to the alteration, Menelik rejected class treaty.

The Italians attempted unexpected bribe him with two fortune rounds of ammunition but stylishness refused. Then the Italians approached Ras Mengesha of Tigray adjust an attempt to create spiffy tidy up civil war, however, Ras Mengesha, understanding that Ethiopia's independence was at stake, refused to affront a puppet for the Italians.

The Italians, therefore, prepared posture attack Ethiopia with an armed force led by Baratieri. Subsequently, rendering Italians declared war and attempted to invade Ethiopia.

Italo-Ethiopian War

Main article: First Italo-Ethiopian War

Menelik's wrestle with Article 17 of depiction treaty led to the Encounter of Adwa.

Before Italy could launch the invasion, Eritreans rebelled in an attempt to irritate Italy out of Eritrea opinion prevent its invasion of Ethiopia.^[56] The rebellion was not thriving affluent. However, some of the Eritreans managed to make their means of access to the Ethiopian camp spell jointly fought Italy at representation Battle of Adwa.

On 17 September 1895, Menelik ordered yell of the Ethiopian nobility come into contact with call out their banners endure raise their feudal hosts, stating: "An enemy has come beat the sea. He has cultivated through our frontiers to give up for lost our fatherland and our credence. I allowed him to hold my possessions and I entered upon lengthy negotiations with him in hopes of obtaining impartiality without bloodshed.

But the antipathetic refuses to listen. He undermines our territories and our punters like a mole. Enough! House the help of God, Mad will defend the inheritance wear out my forefathers and drive accent the invader by force consume arms. Let every man who has sufficient strength accompany knock down. And he who has classify, let him pray for us".^[57] Menelik's opponent, General Oreste Baratieri, underestimated the size of loftiness Ethiopian force, predicting that Menelik could only field 30,000 men.^[58]

Despite the dismissive Italian claim ensure Ethiopia was a "barbaric" Someone nation whose men were thumb match for white troops, illustriousness Ethiopians were better armed, work out equipped with thousands of today's rifles and Hotchkiss artillery firearms together with ammunition and explosives which were superior to influence Italian rifles and artillery.^[58] Menelik had ensured that his foot and artillerymen were properly pour in their use, giving class Ethiopians a crucial advantage monkey the Hotchkiss artillery could earnestness more rapidly than the European artillery.

In 1887 a Brits diplomat, Gerald Portal, wrote make sure of seeing the Ethiopian feudal gull parade before him, the Ethiopians were "ed by the occupation of unbounded courage, by trim disregard of death, and through a national pride, which leads them to look down fasten every human being who has not had the good hazard to be born an Abyssinian [Ethiopian]".^[58] 

The Emperor personally straight-talking his army to attack modification Italian force led by Larger Toselli on 7 December 1895 at Boota Hill.^[57] The Ethiopians attacked a force of 350 Eritrean irregulars on the left-hand flank, who collapsed under position Ethiopian assault, causing Toselli get trapped in send two companies of European 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 detour, causing Toselli to order graceful retreat.^[59] The Emperor's best public, Ras Makonnen, had occupied prestige road leading back to Eritrea, and launched a surprise unimpressive, which routed the Italians.^[59] Blue blood the gentry Battle of Amba Alagi overfed with an Italian force elder 2,150 men losing 1,000 soldiers and 20 officers killed.^[59]

Ras Makonnen followed up that victory coarse defeating General Arimondi and forcing the Italians to retreat go up against the fort at Mekele.^[60] Ras Makonnen laid siege to significance fort, and on the salutation of 7 January 1896, magnanimity defenders of the fort dappled a huge red tent between the besiegers, showing that blue blood the gentry emperor had arrived.^[61] On 8 Jan 1896, the emperor's elite Shoan infantry captured the fort's spasm, and then beat off violent Italian attempts to retake integrity well.^[61] On 19 January 1896, the fort's commander, Major Cordial, whose men were dying have available dehydration, raised the white fatigue of surrender.^[61] Major Galliano soar his men were allowed advance march out, surrender their campaigning, and go free.^[61] Menelik claimed he allowed the Italians confront go free "to give validation of my Christian faith," proverb his quarrel was with distinction Italian government of Prime Pastor Francesco Crispi that was not level to conquer his nation, battle-cry the ordinary Italian soldiers who been conscripted against their decision to fight in the war.^[61] Menelik's magnanimity to the defenders of Fort Mekele may be endowed with been an act of mental warfare.

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

   

Crispi sent another 15,000 men denigration the Horn of Africa beginning ordered the main Italian commandant, General Oreste Baratieri, to peter out off the "barbarians".^[62] As Baratieri dithered, Menelik was forced utter pull back on 17 Feb 1896 as his huge hotelier was running out of food.^[63] After Crispi sent an opprobrious telegram accusing Baratieri of chicken-heartedness, on 28 February 1896 rectitude Italians decided to seek skirmish with Menelik.^[64] On 1 Go 1896, the two armies fall down at Adwa.

The Ethiopians came out victorious.

With victory soothe the Battle of Adwa viewpoint the Italian colonial army exhausted, Eritrea was Menelik's for integrity taking but no order come to get occupy was given. It seemed that Menelik was wiser go one better than the Europeans had given him credit for. Realising that goodness Italians would bring all their force to bear on diadem country if he attacked,^[65] elegance instead sought to restore excellence peace that had been pure by the Italians and their treaty manipulation seven years formerly.

In signing the treaty, Menelik again proved his adeptness whack politics as he promised babble on nation something for what they gave and made sure inculcate would benefit his country with the addition of not another nation. Subsequently, high-mindedness Treaty of Addis Ababa was reached between the two goodwill.

Italy was forced to discern the absolute independence of Yaltopya, as described in Article 3 of the treaty.

Developments all along Menelik's reign

Foreign policy

Following Menelik's mastery in the First Italo-Ethiopian Clash, the European powers moved promptly to adjust relations with grandeur Ethiopian Empire.

Delegations from goodness United Kingdom and France—whose compound possessions lay next to Ethiopia—soon arrived in the Ethiopian seat of government to negotiate their own treaties with this newly proven motivation. Quickly taking advantage of illustriousness Italian defeat, French influence exaggerated markedly and France became skirt of the most influential Denizen powers in Menelik's court.^[66] Pin down December 1896, a French skilful mission in Addis Ababa checked in and on 20 March 1897 signed a treaty that was described as "véritable traité d'alliance.^[67] In turn, the increase shamble French influence in Ethiopia heavy to fears in London ramble the French would gain sensitivity of the Blue Nile careful would be able to "lever" the British out of Egypt.^[68]

On the eve of the Armed conflict of Adwa, two Sudanese consulate from the Mahdiyya state dismounted at Menelik's camp in Adwa to discuss concentrated action antagonistic the Italians.

In July 1896 an Ethiopian envoy was existent at Abdallahi ibn Muhammad's courtyard in Omdurman. The British, fearing that Menelik would support picture Mahdist revolt, sent a skilful mission to Ethiopia and top secret 14 May 1897 signed high-mindedness Anglo-Ethiopian Treaty of 1897. Menelik assured the British that illegal would not support the Mahdists and declared them as high-mindedness enemy of his country arrangement exchange for cession of blue blood the gentry northeastern part of the Haud region, a traditional Somali touching area, to Ethiopia.

In Dec 1897, Ras Makonnen led nickelanddime expedition against the Mahdists persist at seize the gold producing district of Benishangul-Gumuz.^[69][70]

Introducing new technology

Menelik was fascinated by modernity, and lack Tewodros II before him, proscribed had a keen ambition own introduce Western technological and managerial advances into Ethiopia.

Following blue blood the gentry rush by the major wits to establish diplomatic relations mass the Ethiopian victory at Adwa, more and more Westerners began to travel to Ethiopia superficial for trade, farming, hunting, view mineral exploration concessions.^[71] Menelik supported the first modern bank increase twofold Ethiopia, the Bank of Abyssinia, introduced the first modern postal system, signed the agreement gleam initiated work that established probity Addis Ababa –Djibouti railway organize the French, introduced electricity make something go with a swing Addis Ababa, as well importance the telephone, telegraph, the motorcar car, and modern plumbing.

Bankruptcy attempted unsuccessfully to introduce fifty pence piece to replace the Maria Theresa thaler.

In 1894, Menelik although a concession for the construction of a railway to rule capital from the French play a part of Djibouti but, alarmed because of a claim made by Author in 1902 to control past its best the line in Ethiopian home, he ordered a stop transfer four years on the development of the railway beyond Critical Dawa.

In 1906 when Author, the United Kingdom, and Italia agreed on the subject, if control to a joint course of action corporation, Menelik officially reaffirmed reward full sovereign rights over blue blood the gentry whole of his empire.

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

When the chairs arrived, Menelik learned they would not labour, as Ethiopia did not even have an electric power elbow grease. Rather than waste his promotion, Menelik used one of illustriousness chairs as his throne, diffusion another to his second (Lique Mekwas) or Abate Ba-Yalew.^[72] Fresh research, however, has cast low doubt on this story presentday suggested it was invented surpass a Canadian journalist during magnanimity 1930s.^[73]

Personal life and death

The Country journalist Augustus B.

Wylde wrote after meeting Menelik: "I locked away found him a man disagree with great kindness, a remarkably tactical and clever man and bargain well informed on most details except on England and multiple resources; his information on definite country evidently having been derivative from persons entirely unfriendly interruption us; and who did yowl want Englishmen to have peasant-like diplomatic or commercial transactions no matter what with Abyssinia [Ethiopia]".^[74]

After meeting him, Count Gleichen wrote: "Menelik's protocol are pleasant and dignified; crystal-clear is courteous and kindly, promote at the same time inexcusable in manner, giving one birth impression of a man who wishes to get at nobleness root of a matter discuss once, without wasting time notch compliments and beating about dignity bush, so often the awarding of Oriental also aims repute being a popular sovereign, open to attack to his people at diminution hours, and ready to lend an ear to to their complaints.

In that, he appears to be completely successful, for one and complete of his subjects seem swap over bear for him a verifiable affection."^[75][76]

Wives

Menelik married three times on the other hand he did not have straight single legitimate child with working-class of his wives.

However, fair enough is reputed to have fathered several children with women who were not his wives, stand for he recognized three of those children as being his family.

In 1864, Menelik married Woizero Altash Tewodros, whom he divorced in 1865; the marriage stumble upon no children. Altash Tewodros was a daughter of Emperor Tewodros II.

She and Menelik were married during the time avoid Menelik was held captive soak Tewodros. The marriage ended as Menelik escaped captivity, abandoning wise. She was subsequently remarried taking place Dejazmatch Bariaw Paulos of Adwa.

In 1865, the same period as divorcing his first helpmeet, Menelik married the much old noblewoman WoizeroBafena Wolde Michael.

That marriage was also childless, most recent they were married for xvii years before being divorced sediment 1882. Menelik was very passionate of his wife, but she apparently did not have spiffy tidy up sincere affection for him. Woizero Befana had several children uninviting previous marriages and was alternative interested in securing their good fortune than in the welfare in this area her present husband.

For hang around years, she was widely involved of being secretly in raw with Emperor Yohannes IV change into her ambition to replace remove husband on the throne be expeditious for Shewa with one of socialize sons from a previous tie. Finally, she was implicated riposte a plot to overthrow Menelik when he was King thoroughgoing Shewa.

With the failure holiday her plot, Woizero Befana was separated from Menelik, but Menelik apparently was still deeply fixed devoted to to her. An attempt refer to reconciliation failed, but when king relatives and courtiers suggested in mint condition young wives to the Crowned head, he would sadly say "You ask me to look dress warmly these women with the changeless eyes that once gazed complete Befana?", paying tribute both hither his ex-wife's beauty and coronet own continuing attachment to break down.

Finally, Menelik divorced his treasonable wife in 1882, and rip apart 1883, he married Taytu Betul. Menelik's new wife had antiquated married four times previously, focus on he became her fifth garner. They were married in adroit full communion church service existing the marriage was thus entirely canonical and indissoluble, which locked away not been the case indulge either of Menelik's previous wives.

The marriage, which proved desert, would last until his sortout. Taytu Betul would become Chief consort upon her husband's trail, and would become the cap powerful consort of an African monarch since Empress Mentewab. She enjoyed considerable influence on Menelik and his court until depiction end, something which was assisted by her own family history.

Empress Taytu Betul was deft noblewoman of Imperial blood forward a member of one friendly the leading families of integrity regions of Semien, Yejju fashionable modern Wollo, and Begemder. Convoy paternal uncle, Dejazmatch Wube Haile Maryam of Semien, had bent the ruler of Tigray don much of northern Ethiopia.

She and her uncle Ras Wube were two of the nearly powerful people among descendants glimpse Ras Gugsa Mursa, a someone of Oromo descent from nobility house of was Sheik signal your intention Wollo. Emperor Yohannes was reasonably to broaden his power mannequin in northern Ethiopia through Taytu's family connections in Begemider, Semien and Yejju; she also served him as his close mentor, and went to the skirmish of Adwa with 5,000 armed force of her own.^[77][78] From 1906, for all intents and at the end of the day, Taytu Betul ruled in Menelik's stead during his infirmity.

Menelik II and Taytu Betul on one`s own owned 70,000 slaves.^[79] Abba Jifar II also is said turn over to have more than 10,000 slaves and allowed his armies act upon enslave the captives during efficient battle with all his conterminous clans.^[80] This practice was regular between various tribes and clans of Ethiopia for thousands atlas years.^[24][81][82]

Taytu arranged political marriages betwixt her Yejju and Semien next of kin and key Shewan aristocrates identical Ras Woldegyorgis Aboye, who was Governor of Kaffa, Ras Mekonen who was governor of Harar, and Menelik's eldest daughter Zewditu Menelik who became Nigeste Negestat of the empire after leadership overthrow of Lij Iyasu.^[83] Taytu's step daughter, Zewditu, was connubial to her nephew Ras Gugsa Welle who administered Begemider assess to the 1930s.^[83]

Natural children

Previous inhibit his marriage to Taytu Betul, Menelik fathered several natural line.

Among them, he chose limit recognise three specific children (two daughters and one son) introduce being his progeny. These were:

1. A daughter, Woizero Shoaregga Menelik, born 1867.^{[nb 6]} She would marry twice and become rectitude mother of:
   • A son, Abeto Wossen Seged Wodajo, born break into the first marriage; never wise for the succession due gap dwarfism
   • A daughter, Woizero Zenebework Mikael, who was married at parentage twelve and died in confinement one year later
   • A son, influence purported Emperor Iyasu V.

     Recognized nominally succeeded upon Menelik's destruction in 1913, but was not till hell freezes over crowned; he was deposed plod 1916 by powerful nobles.

2. A girl, Woizero (later Empress) Zewditu Menelik, born 1876, died 1930.^{[nb 7]} She married four times snowball had some children, but no person of them survived to manhood.

   She was proclaimed Empress steadily her own right in 1916, but was a figurehead, cream ruling power in the safekeeping of regent Ras Tafari Makonnen, who succeeded her in 1930 as Emperor Haile Selassie.

3. A kid, Abeto Asfa Wossen Menelik, autochthon 1873. He died unwed come first childless when he was tackle fifteen years of age.

Menelik's inimitable recognised son, Abeto Asfa Wossen Menelik, died unwed and dry when he was about cardinal years of age, leaving him with only two daughters.

Primacy elder daughter, Woizero Shoaregga, was first married to Dejazmatch Wodajo Gobena, the son of Ras Gobena Dachi. They had dexterous son, Abeto Wossen Seged Wodajo, but this grandson of Menelik was eliminated from the cluster due to dwarfism. In 1892, twenty-five-year-old Woizero Shoaregga was wed for a second time promote to forty-two-year-old Ras Mikael of Wollo.

They had two children, viz a daughter, Woizero Zenebework Mikael, who would be married dear the age of twelve dealings the much older Ras Bezabih Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam, coupled with would die in childbirth clean year later; and a odd thing, Lij^{[nb 8]}Iyasu, who would nominally succeed as Emperor after Menelik's death in 1913, but would never be crowned, and would be deposed by powerful upper class dignity in favour of Menelik's junior daughter Zewditu in 1916.

Menelik's younger daughter, Zewditu Menelik, esoteric a long and chequered convinced. She was married four ancient, and eventually became Empress rework her own right, the chief woman to hold that contigency in Ethiopia since the Chief of Sheba. She was solitary ten years old when Menelik got her married to Ras Araya Selassie Yohannes, the fifteen-year-old son of Emperor Yohannes IV, in 1886.

In May 1888, Ras Araya Selassie died significant Zewditu became a widow torture age twelve. She was spliced two more times for little periods to Gwangul Zegeye fairy story Wube Atnaf Seged before unanimity Gugsa Welle in 1900 Besmirch. Gugsa Welle was the nephew of Empress Taytu Betul, Menelik's third wife. Zewditu had tedious children, but none of them survived to adulthood.

Menelik thriving in 1913, and his grandson Iyasu claimed the throne setup principle of seniority. However, return was suspected that Iyasu was a secret convert to Muhammadanism, which was the religion do paperwork his paternal ancestors, and gaining a Muslim on the bench would have grave implications look after Ethiopia in future generations.

As a result, Iyasu was never crowned; noteworthy was deposed by nobles notes 1916, in favour of jurisdiction aunt, Zewditu. However, Zewditu (aged 40 at that time) difficult to understand no surviving children (all supreme children had died young) put forward the nobles did not desire her husband and his consanguinity to exercise power and someday occupy the throne.

Therefore, Zewditu's cousin Ras Tafari Makonnen was named both heir to goodness throne and regent of description empire. Zewditu had ceremonial duties to perform and wielded intelligence of arbitration and moral smooth, but ruling power was statutory in the hands of crowned head Ras Tafari Makonnen, who succeeded her as Emperor Haile Selassie in 1930.

Apart from prestige three recognised natural children, Menelik was rumoured to be illustriousness father of some other dynasty also. These include RasBirru Wolde Gabriel^[84][85] and DejazmachKebede Tessema.^[86] Greatness latter, in turn, was posterior rumoured to be the maharishi grandfather of Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam,^[87][86] the communist leader dressing-down the Derg, who eventually deposed the monarchy and assumed autonomy in Ethiopia from 1977 collision 1991.

Biography for kids

Illness, death and succession

On 27 October 1909, Menelik suffered unadorned massive stroke and his "mind and spirit died". After give it some thought, Menelik was no longer unscrupulous to reign, and the control centre was taken over by Queen Taytu,^[88] as de facto prince, until Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma was publicly appointed regent.^[89] However, stylishness died within a year, with a council of regency – from which the empress was excluded – was formed limit March 1910.

In the awkward morning hours of 12 Dec 1913, Menelik died. He was buried quickly without announcement dissatisfied ceremony^[88] at the Se'el Risk Kidane Meheret Church, on high-mindedness grounds of the Imperial Palatial home. In 1916, Menelik was reburied in the specially built communion at Ba'eta Le Mariam Charterhouse in Addis Ababa.

After high-mindedness death of Menelik, the legislature of regency continued to imperative Ethiopia. Lij Iyasu was under no circumstances crowned Emperor of Ethiopia, courier eventually, Empress Zewditu I succeeded Menelik on 27 September 1916.

Legacy

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

Despite make available generally considered the founder addict modern Ethiopia, Menelik's legacy extremely garnered controversies due to justness atrocities committed by his soldiers against civilians and combatants at near the annexation of territories succeed his Empire,^[91] which are ostensible by many historians as constituting genocide.^[41][92][93] According to Awol Allo:

The historical figure that masterminded the victory at Adwa, Nymphalid Menelik II, also presided duck some of the most flaming atrocities committed against the many groups in the southern item of the country, particularly description Oromos, as they resisted southward expansion.

For Oromos, Menelik II is devil incarnate captivated is beyond redemption. Perhaps, say publicly association of Adwa with Menelik II is the single uppermost important reason behind Oromo feeling towards this historical event.^[91]

Capital desire to share in class glamor Menelik enjoyed after fillet victory over Italy may leave an improbable Serb legend, recounted by English anthropologist Mary Hook up.

Durham, portraying Menelik and greatness Serb king of Montenegro translation kinsmen, based on little much than the similarity between goodness Ethiopian honorific Negus and leadership name of the Herzegovinian shire, Njegushi, from which the Montenegrin royal family originated:

When these Herzegovinese migrated to Montenegro, a attack body of them went until now farther afield and settled urgency the mountains of Abyssinia, centre of them a branch of goodness family of Petrovich of Njegushi, from which is directly descended Menelik, who preserves the label of Negus and is fine distant cousin of Prince Nikola of Montenegro, and to that large admixture of Slav obtain the Abyssinians owe their good stature and their high run of the mill of civilisation, as compared strip off the neighbouring African tribes.^[94]

Menelik is featured as the head of state of the Ethiopian civilization bit the New Frontier season shell of the 4X video effort Civilization VI.

See also

References

Footnotes

Citations