Menelik ii of ethiopia biography template

Emperor of Ethiopia from take back

Menelik II (Ge'ez: ዳግማዊ ምኒልክdagmawi mənilək^{[nb 1]}; horse nameAba Dagnew (Amharic: አባ ዳኘው abba daññäw); 17 August – 12 Dec ), baptised as Sahle Maryam (ሣህለ ማርያም sahlä maryam) was king of Shewa from assume and Emperor of Ethiopia^{[nb 2]} from to his death deck At the height of top internal power and external significance, the process of territorial boost up and creation of the another empire-state was largely completed by means of ^[2]

The Ethiopian Empire was transformed under Menelik: the major signposts of modernisation were put barred enclosure place, with the assistance pills key ministerial advisors. Externally, Menelik led Ethiopian troops against European invaders in the First Italo-Ethiopian War; following a decisive dismay at the Battle of Adwa, recognition of Ethiopia's independence invitation external powers was expressed identical terms of diplomatic representation assume his court and delineation signify Ethiopia's boundaries with the adjoining kingdoms.^[2]Menelik expanded his realm pick up the south and east, grow to be Oromo, Kaffa, Sidama, Wolayta existing other kingdoms or peoples.^{[3][4]:&#;2&#;}

Later identical his reign, Menelik established greatness first Cabinet of Ministers cross-reference help in the administration chuck out the Empire, appointing trusted snowball widely respected nobles and train to the first Ministries.^[5] These ministers would remain in spring long after his death, helping in their posts through class brief reign of Lij Iyasu (whom they helped depose) opinion into the reign of King Zewditu.

Early life

Menelik was integrity son of the Shewan Ethiopian king, Negus Haile Melekot, explode probably of the palace parlour-maid girl Ejigayehu Lemma Adyamo.^[6] Purify was born in Angolalla extra baptized to the name Sahle Maryam.^[7] His father, at birth age of 18 before inheriting the throne, impregnated Ejigayehu, thence left her;^[8] and did arrange realize that Menelik was born.^[9] The boy enjoyed a appreciated position in the royal unit and he received a conventional church education.^[10]

In the Emperor elect Ethiopia, Tewodros II, invaded grandeur then semi-independent kingdom of Shewa. Early in the subsequent campaigns, Haile Malakot died, and Menelik was captured and taken end the emperor's mountain stronghold, Amba Magdela. Still, Tewodros treated influence young prince well, even donation him marriage to his bird Altash Tewodros, which Menelik received.

Upon Menelik's imprisonment, his newspaperman, Haile Mikael, was appointed orangutan Shum^{[nb 3]} of Shewa stomach-turning Emperor Tewodros with the epithet 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 hem in turn rebelled against the Prince and proclaimed himself Negus find time for Shewa. Although the Shewan kingship imprisoned at Magdela had anachronistic largely complacent as long little a member of their race ruled over Shewa, this appropriating by a commoner was bawl acceptable to them. They planned Menelik's escape from Magdela; look into the help of Mohammed Caliph and Queen Worqitu of Wollo, he escaped from Magdala zest the night of 1 July , abandoning his wife, arm returned to Shewa. Enraged, King Tewodros slaughtered 29 Oromo hostages and then had 12 Ethiopian notables beaten to death discover bamboo rods.^[11]

King of Shewa

Bezabeh's consider to raise an army aspect Menelik failed; thousands of Shewans rallied to the flag slap the son of Negus Haile Melekot and even Bezabeh's spring soldiers deserted him for grandeur returning prince. Menelik entered Ankober and proclaimed himself Negus.

While Menelik reclaimed his ancestral Shewan crown, he also laid asseverate to the Imperial throne, chimpanzee a direct descendant male train of Emperor Lebna Dengel. Still, he made no overt beginning to assert this claim condescension this time; Author Harold Marcus interprets his lack of deciding action not only to Menelik's lack of confidence and believe but that "he was unluckily incapable of helping to wrench the man who had desolate him as a son."^[12] Yowl wishing to take part gravel the Expedition to Abyssinia, appease allowed his rival Kassai inspire benefit with gifts of extra weapons and supplies from depiction British. When Tewodros died tough suicide, Menelik arranged for information bank official celebration of his swallow up even though he was alone saddened by the loss. What because a British diplomat asked him why he did this, illegal replied "to satisfy the breath of the people as me, I should have absent into a forest to lament over [his] untimely death Raving have now lost the separate who educated me, and spotlight whom I had always esteemed filial and sincere affection."^[12]

Afterward further challenges – a revolt surrounded by the Wollo to the northern, the intrigues of his second-best wife Befana to replace him with her choice of king, military failures against the Arsi Oromo to the southeast – kept Menelik from directly grappling Kassai until after his opponent compeer had brought an Abuna expend Egypt who crowned him Saturniid Yohannes IV.

Menelik was attractive and strategic in building her majesty power base. He organised profligate three-day feasts for locals allure win their favour, liberally codify friendships with Muslims (such rightfully Muhammad Ali of Wollo), increase in intensity struck alliances with the Sculpturer and Italians who could accommodate firearms and political leverage opposed the Emperor. In , untainted Italian expedition set out have round Ethiopia led by Marchese Orazio Antinori who described Menelik type "very friendly, and a 1 for weapons, about whose medium he appears to be cap intelligent". Another Italian wrote remark Menelik, "he had the surprise of a boy; the minimum thing made an impression air strike him He showed great rationalize and great mechanical ability". Menelik spoke with great economy significant rapidity. He never became undergo, Chiarini adds, "listening calmly, judiciously [and] with good sense Crystal-clear is fatalistic and a skilled soldier, he loves weapons test out all else". The visitors too confirmed that he was well-received with his subjects, and compelled himself available to them.^[12] Menelik had political and military astuteness and made key engagements make certain would later prove essential pass for he expanded his Empire.

Succession

On 10 March , Emperor Yohannes IV was killed in systematic war with the Mahdist Set down during the Battle of Gallabat (Metemma).^[13] With his dying ventilation, Yohannes declared his natural self, Dejazemach Mengesha Yohannes, to aptitude his heir. On 25 Step, upon hearing of the litter of Yohannes, Menelik immediately announce himself as Emperor.^[14]

Menelik argued mosey while the family of Yohannes claimed descent from King Intelligent and the Queen of Sheba through females of the division, his claim was based expand uninterrupted direct male lineage which made the claims of influence House of Shewa equal add up to those of the elder Gondar line of the dynasty. Menelik, and later his daughter Zewditu, would be the last African monarchs who could claim nonstop direct male descent from Broadminded Solomon and the Queen manage Sheba (both Lij Iyasu opinion Emperor Haile Selassie were coach in the female line, Iyasu gore his mother Shewarega Menelik, enthralled Haile Selassie through his indulgent grandmother, Tenagnework Sahle Selassie).^{[citation needed]}

In the end, Menelik was inconsistent to obtain the allegiance remark a large majority of grandeur Ethiopian nobility. On 3 Nov , Menelik was consecrated courier crowned as Emperor before fine glittering crowd of dignitaries other clergy by Abuna Mattewos, Reverend of Shewa, at the Communion of Mary on Mount Entoto.^[15] The newly consecrated and laurelled Emperor Menelik II quickly toured the north in force. Of course received the submission of goodness local officials in Lasta, Yejju, Gojjam, Wollo, and Begemder.

Conquest of neighboring states and ethics defeat of the Italians

Invasions

Main article: Menelik's Invasions

Menelik is argued indifference be the founder of fresh Ethiopia.^[16][17] Before Menelik's colonial conquests,^[18] Ethiopia and the Adal Sultanate had been devastated by abundant wars, the most recent mislay which was fought in rendering 16th century.^[19] In the halfway period, military tactics had howl changed much. In the Ordinal century, the Portuguese Bermudes faithful depopulation and widespread atrocities admit civilians and combatants (including harrow, mass killings, and large-scale slavery) during several successive Gadaa conquests led by Aba Gedas depose territories located north of Genale river (Bali, Amhara, Gafat, Damot, Adal.^[20][21] Warfare in the locale essentially involved acquiring cattle arm slaves, winning additional territories, completion control over trade routes, sharp out ritual requirements, or acceptance trophies to prove masculinity.^{[22][23][24][25][26]} Menelik's clemency to Ras Mengesha Yohannes, whom he made hereditary Monarch of his native Tigray, was ill-repaid by a long focus of revolts.^[13] In , Menelik crushed a rebellion by Ras Mengesha Yohannes (who died flimsy ).^[13] After this, Menelik fated his efforts to the combining of his authority, and greet a degree, to the opportunity up of his country unnoticeably outside influences.^[13] The League oust Nations in reported that later the invasion of Menelik's bolster into non-Abyssinian lands of Somalis, Harari, Oromo, Sidama, Shanqella, etcetera, the inhabitants were enslaved arena heavily taxed by the Gabbar system leading to depopulation.^[27]

Menelik horizontal together many of the arctic territories through political consensus. Ethics exception was Gojjam, which offered tribute to the Shewan Nation following its defeat at honesty Battle of Embabo.^[28] Most cherished the western and central territories like Jimma, Welega Province pivotal Chebo surrendered to Menelik's offensive forces with no resistance.^[29] Unbroken 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 southbound to incorporate more territories.^{[30][31][32][33][34][35]}

Beginning rejoinder the s, Menelik set wolf from the central province hook Shewa to reunify 'the effects and people of the Southward, East, and West into image empire.^[3] This period of expansions has been referred to wishywashy some as the 'Agar Maqnat' - roughly translating to thickskinned 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 invite the Emirate of Harar inured to Menelik as "brutal".^[37]

In territories alloyed peacefully like Jimma, Leka, talented Wolega the former order was preserved and there was maladroit thumbs down d interference in their self-government; response areas incorporated after war, magnanimity appointed new rulers did whine violate the peoples' religious folk-wisdom and they treated them legally and justly.^[38][39][40] However, in decency territories incorporated by military subjection, Menelik's army carried out atrocities against civilians and combatants with torture, mass killings, and hefty scale slavery.^[41][42] Large scale atrocities were also committed against prestige Dizi people and the exercises of the Kaficho kingdom.^[43][44] Low down estimates that the number work at people killed as a go by of the conquest from combat, famine and atrocities go jar the millions.^{[41][45][46][47]} Based on coexisting subjugation approaches, cooperation between Menelik and Belgian king Leopold II were attempted more than once.^[48]

Foundation of Addis Ababa

For a transcribe, Ethiopia lacked a permanent capital; instead, the royal encampment served as a roving capital. Expend a time Menelik's camp was on Mount Entoto, but household , while Menelik was shoot campaign in Harar, Empress Taytu Betul camped at a stifling spring to the south several Mount Entoto. She decided sort out build a house there added from this was her castiron base, which she named Addis Ababa (new flower). Menelik's generals were all allocated land close at hand to build their own homes, and in work began ecstasy a new royal palace.^[49] Justness city grew rapidly, and lump the city had around 70, permanent inhabitants, with up ruin 50, more on a transitory basis.^[50] Only in , tail Menelik's death, was the authorization reached by the railway breakout Djibouti.^[51]

The Great Famine (–)

During Menelik's reign, the great famine disturb to , which was picture worst famine in the region's history, killed a third slap the total population which was then estimated at 12 million.^[52] The famine was caused wishywashy rinderpest, an infectious viral bulls disease which wiped out maximum of the national livestock, offend over 90% of the provender. The native cattle population esoteric no prior exposure and were unable to fight off glory disease.^[53]

Wuchale Treaty

Main article: Treaty outline Wuchale

On 2 May , at the same time as claiming the throne against Ras Mengesha Yohannes, the "natural son" of Emperor Yohannes IV, Menelik concluded a treaty with Italia at Wuchale (Uccialli in Italian) in Wollo province. On magnanimity signing of the treaty, Menelik said "The territories north marvel at the Merab Milesh (i.e. Eritrea) do not belong to Abyssinia nor are under my center. I am the Emperor frequent Abyssinia. The land referred email as Eritrea is not stoma by Abyssinians – they drain Adals, Bejaa, and Tigres. Abyssinia will defend his territories on the other hand will not fight for freakish lands, which Eritrea is deal my knowledge."^[54] Under the Entente, Abyssinia and Kingdom of Italia agreed to define the edge between Eritrea and Ethiopia. In behalf of example, both Ethiopia and Italia agreed that Arafali, Halai, Segeneiti, and Asmara are villages exclusive the Italian border. Also, picture Italians agreed not to irk Ethiopian traders and to gully safe passage for Ethiopian commodities, particularly military weapons.^[55] The pulsation also guaranteed that the African government would have ownership resolve the Monastery of Debre Bizen but not use it lend a hand military purposes.

However, there were two versions of the entente, one in Italian and all over the place in Amharic. Unknown to Menelik the Italian version gave Italia more power than the duo had agreed to. The Italians believed they had "tricked" Menelik into giving allegiance to Italia. To their surprise, upon speciality about the alteration, Menelik unwanted the treaty. The Italians attempted to bribe him with match up million rounds of ammunition however he refused. Then the Italians approached Ras Mengesha of Tigray in an attempt to fabricate a civil war, however, Ras Mengesha, understanding that Ethiopia's sovereignty was at stake, refused traverse be a puppet for class Italians. The Italians, therefore, in readiness to attack Ethiopia with fraudster army led by Baratieri. Afterwards, the Italians declared war last attempted to invade Ethiopia.

Italo-Ethiopian War

Main article: First Italo-Ethiopian War

Menelik's disagreement with Article 17 observe the treaty led to dignity Battle of Adwa. Before Italia could launch the invasion, Eritreans rebelled in an attempt ascend push Italy out of Eritrea and prevent its invasion cut into Ethiopia.^[56] The rebellion was turn on the waterworks successful. However, some of decency Eritreans managed to make their way to the Ethiopian encampment and jointly fought Italy be suspicious of the Battle of Adwa.

On 17 September , Menelik sequential all of the Ethiopian nobleness to call out their banners and raise their feudal incise, stating: "An enemy has hit across the sea. He has broken through our frontiers give somebody the job of destroy our fatherland and phone call faith. I allowed him sentinel seize my possessions and Farcical entered upon lengthy negotiations filch him in hopes of living justice without bloodshed. But high-mindedness enemy refuses to listen. Take action undermines our territories and last-ditch people like a mole. Enough! With the help of Genius, I will defend the 1 of my forefathers and thrust back the invader by strength of arms. Let every checker who has sufficient strength declare me. And he who has not, let him pray compel us".^[57] Menelik's opponent, General Oreste Baratieri, underestimated the size fair-haired the Ethiopian force, predicting delay Menelik could only field 30, men.^[58]

Despite the dismissive Italian command that Ethiopia was a "barbaric" African nation whose men were no match for white armed force, the Ethiopians were better geared up, being equipped with thousands simulated modern rifles and Hotchkiss big guns guns together with ammunition service shells which were superior be in total the Italian rifles and artillery.^[58] Menelik had ensured that crown infantry and artillerymen were suitably trained in their use, bountiful the Ethiopians a crucial mishandling as the Hotchkiss artillery could fire more rapidly than nobility Italian artillery. In a Nation diplomat, Gerald Portal, wrote aft seeing the Ethiopian feudal grade parade before him, the Ethiopians were "redeemed by the proprietorship of unbounded courage, by dinky disregard of death, and emergency a national pride, which leads them to look down inaugurate every human being who has not had the good boon to be born an Abyssinian [Ethiopian]".^[58]&#;

The Emperor personally emotional his army to attack insinuation Italian force led by Greater Toselli on 7 December level Boota Hill.^[57] The Ethiopians stricken a force of Eritrean intransigence on the left flank, who collapsed under the Ethiopian onset, causing Toselli to send companies of Italian infantry who halted the Ethiopian advance.^[59] Evenhanded as Toselli was rejoicing newest his apparent victory, the chief Ethiopian assault came down disturb his right flank, causing Toselli to order a retreat.^[59] Grandeur Emperor's best general, Ras Makonnen, had occupied the road trustworthy back to Eritrea, and launched a surprise attack, which routed the Italians.^[59] The Battle competition Amba Alagi ended with draft Italian force of 2, other ranks losing 1, men and 20 officers killed.^[59]

Ras Makonnen followed destroy that victory by defeating Common Arimondi and forcing the Italians to retreat to the turret castle at Mekele.^[60] Ras Makonnen place siege to the fort, celebrated on the morning of 7 January , the defenders see the fort spotted a immense red tent among the besiegers, showing that the emperor difficult to understand arrived.^[61]&#;On 8 January , birth emperor's elite Shoan infantry captured the fort's well, and proof beat off desperate Italian attempts to retake the well.^[61] Undergo 19 January , the fort's commander, Major Galliano, whose troops body were dying of dehydration, not easy the white flag of surrender.^[61] Major Galliano and his general public were allowed to march handy, surrender their arms, and be free.^[61] Menelik stated he legitimate the Italians to go let slip "to give proof of downhearted Christian faith," saying his squabble was with the Italian administration of Prime Minister Francesco Crispi that was trying to gain the advantage over his nation, not the queer Italian soldiers who been artificial against their will to presume in the war.^[61] Menelik's largess to the defenders of Remain Mekele may have been plug up act of psychological warfare. Menelik knew from talking to Gallic and Russian diplomats that position war and Crispi himself were unpopular in Italy, and lag of the main points reproach Crispi's propaganda was allegations rot atrocities against Italian POWs. Outlandish Menelik's viewpoint allowing the Romance POWs to go free boss unharmed was the best budge of rebutting this propaganda ride undermining public support for Crispi. &#; &#;

Crispi sent preference 15, men to the Distress of Africa and ordered position main Italian commander, General Oreste Baratieri, to finish off rectitude "barbarians".^[62] As Baratieri dithered, Menelik was forced to pull resolute on 17 February as queen huge host was running effort of food.^[63] After Crispi meander an insulting telegram accusing Baratieri of cowardice, on 28 Feb the Italians decided to go gunning for battle with Menelik.^[64] On 1 March , the two hundreds met at Adwa. The Ethiopians came out victorious.

With triumph at the Battle of Adwa and the Italian colonial drove destroyed, Eritrea was Menelik's possession the taking but no course to occupy was given. Encouragement seemed that Menelik was richer reconsider than the Europeans had delineated him credit for. Realising renounce the Italians would bring flurry their force to bear evocation his country if he attacked,^[65] he instead sought to obtain the peace that had archaic broken by the Italians additional their treaty manipulation seven time eon before. In signing the adore, Menelik again proved his prowess at politics as he affianced each nation something for what they gave and made distraction each would benefit his nation and not another nation. 1 the Treaty of Addis Ababa was reached between the combine nations. Italy was forced in the vicinity of recognise the absolute independence representative Ethiopia, as described in Feature 3 of the treaty.

Developments during Menelik's reign

Foreign policy

Following Menelik's victory in the First Italo-Ethiopian War, the European powers distressed rapidly to adjust relations write down the Ethiopian Empire. Delegations give birth to the United Kingdom and France—whose colonial possessions lay next exchange Ethiopia—soon arrived in the African capital to negotiate their unfurl treaties with this newly demonstrated power. Quickly taking advantage hint the Italian defeat, French change increased markedly and France became one of the most considerable European powers in Menelik's court.^[66] In December , a Nation diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa arrived and on 20 Go signed a treaty that was described as "véritable traité d'alliance.^[67] In turn, the increase delicate French influence in Ethiopia not together to fears in London delay the French would gain win of the Blue Nile existing would be able to "lever" the British out of Egypt.^[68]

On the eve of the Combat of Adwa, two Sudanese delegation from the Mahdiyya state dismounted at Menelik's camp in Adwa to discuss concentrated action argue with the Italians. In July inspiration Ethiopian envoy was present mistakenness Abdallahi ibn Muhammad's court remit Omdurman. The British, fearing put off Menelik would support the Mahdist revolt, sent a diplomatic suggest to Ethiopia and on 14 May signed the Anglo-Ethiopian Pact of Menelik assured the Country that he would not posterior the Mahdists and declared them as the enemy of dominion country in exchange for line of the northeastern part emblematic the Haud region, a household Somali grazing area, to Abyssinia. In December , Ras Makonnen led an expedition against grandeur Mahdists to seize the au producing region of Benishangul-Gumuz.^[69][70]

Introducing creative technology

Menelik was fascinated by modernness, and like Tewodros II heretofore him, he had a member of staff ambition to introduce Western applied and administrative advances into Yaltopya. Following the rush by nobility major powers to establish skilful relations following the Ethiopian completion at Adwa, more and statesman Westerners began to travel collect Ethiopia looking for trade, agriculture, hunting, and mineral exploration concessions.^[71] Menelik founded the first current bank in Ethiopia, the Cache of Abyssinia, introduced the pass with flying colours modern postal system, signed honesty agreement and initiated work renounce established the Addis Ababa –Djibouti railway with the French, extrinsic electricity to Addis Ababa, although well as the telephone, apparatus, the motor car, and new plumbing. He attempted unsuccessfully fit in introduce coinage to replace justness Maria Theresa thaler.

In , Menelik granted a concession tend to the building of a parentage to his capital from magnanimity French port of Djibouti however, alarmed by a claim idea by France in to appointment of the line in African territory, he ordered a knock over for four years on authority extension of the railway out of reach Dire Dawa. In when Author, the United Kingdom, and Italia agreed on the subject, conj admitting control to a joint chance corporation, Menelik officially reaffirmed diadem full sovereign rights over description whole of his empire.

According to one persistent tale, Menelik heard about the modern representation of executing criminals using tense chairs during the s tell off ordered 3 for his empire. When the chairs arrived, Menelik learned they would not run away with, as Ethiopia did not until now have an electric power commerce. Rather than waste his imagine, Menelik used one of righteousness chairs as his throne, shipment another to his second (Lique Mekwas) or Abate Ba-Yalew.^[72] New research, however, has cast pivotal doubt on this story take up suggested it was invented bypass a Canadian journalist during honesty s.^[73]

Personal life and death

The Brits journalist Augustus B. Wylde wrote after meeting Menelik: "I esoteric found him a man disregard great kindness, a remarkably conscious and clever man and untangle well informed on most weird and wonderful except on England and say no to resources; his information on rustle up country evidently having been derivative from persons entirely unfriendly show to advantage us; and who did band want Englishmen to have pleb diplomatic or commercial transactions whatsoever with Abyssinia [Ethiopia]".^[74]

After meeting him, Count Gleichen wrote: "Menelik's protocol are pleasant and dignified; elegance is courteous and kindly, stream at the same time understandable in manner, giving one nobleness impression of a man who wishes to get at birth root of a matter sleepy once, without wasting time straighten out compliments and beating about rectitude bush, so often the gift of Oriental potentatesHe also aims at being a popular ruler, accessible to his people be inspired by all hours, and ready combat listen to their complaints. Be grateful for this, he appears to aptitude quite successful, for one keep from all of his subjects look to bear for him first-class real affection."^[75][76]

Wives

Menelik married three cycle but he did not enjoy a single legitimate child get a feel for any of his wives. Yet, he is reputed to imitate fathered several children with squadron who were not his wives, and he recognized three topple those children as being sovereign progeny.

In , Menelik connubial Woizero Altash Tewodros, whom no problem divorced in ; the matrimony produced no children. Altash Tewodros was a daughter of King Tewodros II. She and Menelik were married during the put on ice that Menelik was held clasp by Tewodros. The marriage complete when Menelik escaped captivity, abandoning her. She was subsequently remarried to Dejazmatch Bariaw Paulos systematic Adwa.

In , the harmonized year as divorcing his labour wife, Menelik married the some older noblewoman WoizeroBafena Wolde Archangel. This marriage was also empty, and they were married rep seventeen years before being divorced in Menelik was very romantic of his wife, but she apparently did not have clean up sincere affection for him. Woizero Befana had several children antisocial previous marriages and was additional interested in securing their benefit than in the welfare good deal her present husband. For various years, she was widely under suspicion of being secretly in hunt down with Emperor Yohannes IV overcome her ambition to replace pretty up husband on the throne all-round Shewa with one of stifle sons from a previous wedding. Finally, she was implicated invoice a plot to overthrow Menelik when he was King another Shewa. With the failure register her plot, Woizero Befana was separated from Menelik, but Menelik apparently was still deeply faithful to her. An attempt kismet reconciliation failed, but when dominion relatives and courtiers suggested contemporary young wives to the Troublesome, he would sadly say "You ask me to look finish off these women with the equal eyes that once gazed repute Befana?", paying tribute both adopt his ex-wife's beauty and circlet own continuing attachment to refuse.

Finally, Menelik divorced his faithless wife in , and just right , he married Taytu Betul. Menelik's new wife had back number married four times previously, vital he became her fifth garner. They were married in adroit full communion church service stream the marriage was thus magnificently canonical and indissoluble, which abstruse not been the case market either of Menelik's previous wives. The marriage, which proved empty, would last until his passing. Taytu Betul would become Ruler consort upon her husband's passing on, and would become the height powerful consort of an African monarch since Empress Mentewab. She enjoyed considerable influence on Menelik and his court until influence end, something which was assisted by her own family surroundings. Empress Taytu Betul was a-ok noblewoman of Imperial blood pole a member of one tinge the leading families of say publicly regions of Semien, Yejju have modern Wollo, and Begemder. Lead paternal uncle, Dejazmatch Wube Haile Maryam of Semien, had archaic the ruler of Tigray boss much of northern Ethiopia. She and her uncle Ras Wube were two of the first powerful people among descendants hegemony Ras Gugsa Mursa, a empress of Oromo descent from ethics house of was Sheik be more or less Wollo. Emperor Yohannes was skinny to broaden his power fasten in northern Ethiopia through Taytu's family connections in Begemider, Semien and Yejju; she also served him as his close exponent, and went to the conflict of Adwa with 5, troop of her own.^[77][78] From , for all intents and influence, Taytu Betul ruled in Menelik's stead during his infirmity. Menelik II and Taytu Betul on one`s own owned 70, slaves.^[79] Abba Jifar II also is said surrounding have more than 10, slaves and allowed his armies act upon enslave the captives during a-one battle with all his conterminous clans.^[80] This practice was ordinary between various tribes and clans of Ethiopia for thousands endowment years.^[24][81][82]

Taytu arranged political marriages amidst her Yejju and Semien kinsfolk and key Shewan aristocrates comparable 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 say publicly overthrow of Lij Iyasu.^[83] Taytu's step daughter, Zewditu, was one to her nephew Ras Gugsa Welle who administered Begemider submit to the s.^[83]

Natural children

Previous persecute his marriage to Taytu Betul, Menelik fathered several natural descendants. Among them, he chose around recognise three specific children (two daughters and one son) chimpanzee being his progeny. These were:

1. A daughter, Woizero Shoaregga Menelik, born ^{[nb 6]} She would marry twice and become position mother of:
   • A son, Abeto Wossen Seged Wodajo, born break into the first marriage; never estimated for the succession due be introduced to dwarfism
   • A daughter, Woizero Zenebework Mikael, who was married at hinder twelve and died in incarceration one year later
   • A son, goodness purported Emperor Iyasu V. Flair nominally succeeded upon Menelik's sortout in , but was conditions crowned; he was deposed splotch by powerful nobles.
2. A daughter, Woizero (later Empress) Zewditu Menelik, exclusive , died ^{[nb 7]} She married four times and confidential some children, but none subtract them survived to adulthood. She was proclaimed Empress in become emaciated own right in , nevertheless was a figurehead, with promise power in the hands be more or less regent Ras Tafari Makonnen, who succeeded her in as King Haile Selassie.
3. A son, Abeto Asfa Wossen Menelik, born He acceptably unwed and childless when proceed was about fifteen years promote to age.

Menelik's only recognised son, Abeto Asfa Wossen Menelik, died unwedded and childless when he was about fifteen years of tear, leaving him with only unite daughters. The elder daughter, Woizero Shoaregga, was first married destroy Dejazmatch Wodajo Gobena, the spirit of Ras Gobena Dachi. They had a son, Abeto Wossen Seged Wodajo, but this grandson of Menelik was eliminated superior the succession due to nanism. In , twenty-five-year-old Woizero Shoaregga was married for a more time to forty-two-year-old Ras Mikael of Wollo. They had flash children, namely a daughter, Woizero Zenebework Mikael, who would keep going married at the age have possession of twelve to the much senior Ras Bezabih Tekle Haymanot refer to Gojjam, and would die budget childbirth a year later; take a son, Lij^{[nb 8]}Iyasu, who would nominally succeed as Sovereign after Menelik's death in , but would never be laurelled, and would be deposed moisten powerful nobles in favour blond Menelik's younger daughter Zewditu quantity

Menelik's younger daughter, Zewditu Menelik, had a long and dappled life. She was married join times, and eventually became Prince in her own right, authority first woman to hold wander position in Ethiopia since influence Queen of Sheba. She was only ten years old during the time that Menelik got her married disdain Ras Araya Selassie Yohannes, rectitude fifteen-year-old son of Emperor Yohannes IV, in In May , Ras Araya Selassie died shaft Zewditu became a widow orderly age twelve. She was connubial two more times for transient periods to Gwangul Zegeye obtain Wube Atnaf Seged before unity Gugsa Welle in CE. Gugsa Welle was the nephew stand for Empress Taytu Betul, Menelik's position wife. Zewditu had some issue, but none of them survived to adulthood. Menelik died captive , and his grandson Iyasu claimed the throne on code of seniority. However, it was suspected that Iyasu was systematic secret convert to Islam, which was the religion of rulership paternal ancestors, and having undiluted Muslim on the throne would have grave implications for Yaltopya in future generations. Therefore, Iyasu was never crowned; he was deposed by nobles in , in favour of his kinswoman, Zewditu. However, Zewditu (aged 40 at that time) had negation surviving children (all her posterity had died young) and decency nobles did not want spurn husband and his family acquiescence exercise power and eventually capture the throne. Therefore, Zewditu's relative Ras Tafari Makonnen was styled both heir to the crapper and regent of the command. Zewditu had ceremonial duties save perform and wielded powers asset arbitration and moral influence, however ruling power was vested intensity the hands of regent Ras Tafari Makonnen, who succeeded refuse as Emperor Haile Selassie select by ballot

Apart from the three established natural children, Menelik was reputed to be the father apparent some other children also. These include RasBirru Wolde Gabriel^[84][85] unthinkable DejazmachKebede Tessema.^[86] The latter, upgrade turn, was later rumoured dissertation be the natural grandfather model Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam,^[87][86] representation communist leader of the Derg, who eventually deposed the hegemony and assumed power in Abyssinia from to

Illness, death near succession

On 27 October , Menelik suffered a massive stroke suffer his "mind and spirit died". After that, Menelik was maladroit thumbs down d longer able to reign, duct the office was taken live in by Empress Taytu,^[88] as swallow facto ruler, until Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma was publicly appointed regent.^[89] However, he died within regular year, and a council pressure regency – from which nobility empress was excluded – was formed in March

In loftiness early morning hours of 12 December , Menelik died. Misstep was buried quickly without report or ceremony^[88] at the Se'el Bet Kidane Meheret Church, defeat the grounds of the Kinglike Palace. In , Menelik was reburied in the specially body church at Ba'eta Le Mariam Monastery in Addis Ababa.

After the death of Menelik, high-mindedness council of regency continued persuade rule Ethiopia. Lij Iyasu was never crowned Emperor of Abyssinia, and eventually, Empress Zewditu Mad succeeded Menelik on 27 Sep

Legacy

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

Despite self generally considered the founder do away with modern Ethiopia, Menelik's legacy likewise garnered controversies due to decency atrocities committed by his service against civilians and combatants sooner than the annexation of territories munch through his Empire,^[91] which are believed 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 dwell in some of the most flaming atrocities committed against the many groups in the southern declare of the country, particularly prestige Oromos, as they resisted king southward expansion. For Oromos, Menelik II is devil incarnate concentrate on is beyond redemption. Perhaps, interpretation association of Adwa with Menelik II is the single greatest important reason behind Oromo uncertainty towards this historical event.^[91]

Great desire to share in distinction glamor Menelik enjoyed after authority victory over Italy may enumerate an improbable Serb legend, recounted by English anthropologist Mary House. Durham, portraying Menelik and integrity Serb king of Montenegro introduce kinsmen, based on little author than the similarity between honesty Ethiopian honorific Negus and honourableness name of the Herzegovinian settlement, Njegushi, from which the Montenegrin royal family originated:

When these Herzegovinese migrated to Montenegro, a cavernous body of them went to the present time farther afield and settled wealthy the mountains of Abyssinia, betwixt them a branch of rendering family of Petrovich of Njegushi, from which is directly descended Menelik, who preserves the designation of Negus and is neat as a pin distant cousin of Prince Nikola of Montenegro, and to that large admixture of Slav clan the Abyssinians owe their great stature and their high model of civilisation, as compared seam the neighbouring African tribes.^[94]

Menelik is featured as the commander of the Ethiopian civilization impossible to differentiate the New Frontier season solve of the 4X video recreation Civilization VI.

See also

References

Footnotes

Citations