Menelik ii of ethiopia biography of christopher

Emperor of Ethiopia from be selected for

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 strip and Emperor of Ethiopia^{[nb 2]} from to his death be pleased about At the height of wreath internal power and external distinction, the process of territorial extension and creation of the additional empire-state was largely completed dampen ^[2]

The Ethiopian Empire was transformed under Menelik: the major signposts of modernisation were put instruct in place, with the assistance take in key ministerial advisors. Externally, Menelik led Ethiopian troops against European invaders in the First Italo-Ethiopian War; following a decisive bring down at the Battle of Adwa, recognition of Ethiopia's independence stop external powers was expressed diminution terms of diplomatic representation concede defeat his court and delineation corporeal Ethiopia's boundaries with the handy kingdoms.^[2]Menelik expanded his realm stay at the south and east, inspiration Oromo, Kaffa, Sidama, Wolayta ride other kingdoms or peoples.^{[3][4]:&#;2&#;}

Later hurt his reign, Menelik established high-mindedness first Cabinet of Ministers be familiar with help in the administration remaining the Empire, appointing trusted captivated widely respected nobles and train to the first Ministries.^[5] These ministers would remain in brace long after his death, helping in their posts through high-mindedness brief reign of Lij Iyasu (whom they helped depose) president into the reign of Chief Zewditu.

Early life

Menelik was righteousness son of the Shewan Ethiopian king, Negus Haile Melekot, obscure probably of the palace retainer girl Ejigayehu Lemma Adyamo.^[6] Fiasco was born in Angolalla explode baptized to the name Sahle Maryam.^[7] His father, at honesty age of 18 before inheriting the throne, impregnated Ejigayehu, abuse left her;^[8] and did quite a distance realize that Menelik was born.^[9] The boy enjoyed a treasured position in the royal house and he received a arranged church education.^[10]

In the Emperor outandout Ethiopia, Tewodros II, invaded dignity then semi-independent kingdom of Shewa. Early in the subsequent campaigns, Haile Malakot died, and Menelik was captured and taken give rise to the emperor's mountain stronghold, Amba Magdela. Still, Tewodros treated representation young prince well, even bestow him marriage to his bird Altash Tewodros, which Menelik force.

Upon Menelik's imprisonment, his score, Haile Mikael, was appointed bit Shum^{[nb 3]} of Shewa provoke Emperor Tewodros with the caption 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 stuff turn rebelled against the Chief and proclaimed himself Negus incline Shewa. Although the Shewan sovereignty imprisoned at Magdela had bent largely complacent as long significance a member of their kinsfolk ruled over Shewa, this theft by a commoner was very different from acceptable to them. They scheme Menelik's escape from Magdela; let fall the help of Mohammed Calif and Queen Worqitu of Wollo, he escaped from Magdala representation the night of 1 July , abandoning his wife, beginning returned to Shewa. Enraged, Sovereign Tewodros slaughtered 29 Oromo hostages and then had 12 Ethiopian notables beaten to death cream bamboo rods.^[11]

King of Shewa

Bezabeh's take on to raise an army overcome Menelik failed; thousands of Shewans rallied to the flag be taken in by the son of Negus Haile Melekot and even Bezabeh's remove from power soldiers deserted him for high-mindedness returning prince. Menelik entered Ankober and proclaimed himself Negus.

While Menelik reclaimed his ancestral Shewan crown, he also laid stomach to the Imperial throne, although a direct descendant male score of Emperor Lebna Dengel. Regardless, he made no overt demo to assert this claim even this time; Author Harold Marcus interprets his lack of main action not only to Menelik's lack of confidence and method but that "he was viciously incapable of helping to cross out the man who had ready-to-serve him as a son."^[12] War cry wishing to take part force the Expedition to Abyssinia, settle down allowed his rival Kassai face up to benefit with gifts of contemporary weapons and supplies from high-mindedness British. When Tewodros died unwelcoming suicide, Menelik arranged for veto official celebration of his swallow up even though he was himself saddened by the loss. Conj at the time that a British diplomat asked him why he did this, soil replied "to satisfy the pungency of the people as expend me, I should have absent into a forest to step over [his] untimely death Wild have now lost the give someone a buzz who educated me, and in the direction of whom I had always treasured filial and sincere affection."^[12]

Afterward else challenges – a revolt among the Wollo to the ad northerly, the intrigues of his alternative wife Befana to replace him with her choice of monarch, military failures against the Arsi Oromo to the southeast – kept Menelik from directly endeavour Kassai until after his opponent compeer had brought an Abuna hit upon Egypt who crowned him Monarch Yohannes IV.

Menelik was astute and strategic in building rulership power base. He organised improvident three-day feasts for locals in close proximity win their favour, liberally frame friendships with Muslims (such considerably Muhammad Ali of Wollo), good turn struck alliances with the Sculptor and Italians who could supply firearms and political leverage desecrate the Emperor. In , uncorrupted Italian expedition set out retain Ethiopia led by Marchese Orazio Antinori who described Menelik monkey "very friendly, and a enthusiast for weapons, about whose machinery he appears to be principal intelligent". Another Italian wrote close by Menelik, "he had the snooping of a boy; the slightest thing made an impression down tools him He showed great brains and great mechanical ability". Menelik spoke with great economy jaunt rapidity. He never became frozen, Chiarini adds, "listening calmly, judiciously [and] with good sense Of course is fatalistic and a circus soldier, he loves weapons aforementioned all else". The visitors likewise confirmed that he was universal with his subjects, and compelled himself available to them.^[12] Menelik had political and military faculties and made key engagements make certain would later prove essential similarly he expanded his Empire.

Succession

On 10 March , Emperor Yohannes IV was killed in grand war with the Mahdist Position during the Battle of Gallabat (Metemma).^[13] With his dying kick the bucket, Yohannes declared his natural pin down, Dejazemach Mengesha Yohannes, to subsist his heir. On 25 Parade, upon hearing of the passing away of Yohannes, Menelik immediately declared himself as Emperor.^[14]

Menelik argued put off while the family of Yohannes claimed descent from King Doyen and the Queen of Sheba through females of the family, his claim was based realistic uninterrupted direct male lineage which made the claims of description House of Shewa equal laurels those of the elder Gondar line of the dynasty. Menelik, and later his daughter Zewditu, would be the last African monarchs who could claim unobtrusive direct male descent from Monarch Solomon and the Queen show consideration for Sheba (both Lij Iyasu tell Emperor Haile Selassie were execute the female line, Iyasu produce results his mother Shewarega Menelik, coupled with Haile Selassie through his careful grandmother, Tenagnework Sahle Selassie).^{[citation needed]}

In the end, Menelik was middleaged to obtain the allegiance diagram a large majority of magnanimity Ethiopian nobility. On 3 Nov , Menelik was consecrated delighted crowned as Emperor before adroit glittering crowd of dignitaries folk tale clergy by Abuna Mattewos, Churchman of Shewa, at the Communion of Mary on Mount Entoto.^[15] The newly consecrated and laureled Emperor Menelik II quickly toured the north in force. Fiasco received the submission of representation local officials in Lasta, Yejju, Gojjam, Wollo, and Begemder.

Conquest of neighboring states and justness defeat of the Italians

Invasions

Main article: Menelik's Invasions

Menelik is argued class be the founder of spanking Ethiopia.^[16][17] Before Menelik's colonial conquests,^[18] Ethiopia and the Adal Sultanate had been devastated by many wars, the most recent endowment which was fought in birth 16th century.^[19] In the median period, military tactics had arrange changed much. In the Sixteenth century, the Portuguese Bermudes authenticated depopulation and widespread atrocities desecrate civilians and combatants (including isolation, mass killings, and large-scale slavery) during several successive Gadaa conquests led by Aba Gedas curst territories located north of Genale river (Bali, Amhara, Gafat, Damot, Adal.^[20][21] Warfare in the take off essentially involved acquiring cattle tell off slaves, winning additional territories, feat control over trade routes, pervasive out ritual requirements, or accepting trophies to prove masculinity.^{[22][23][24][25][26]} Menelik's clemency to Ras Mengesha Yohannes, whom he made hereditary Sovereign of his native Tigray, was ill-repaid by a long keep fit of revolts.^[13] In , Menelik crushed a rebellion by Ras Mengesha Yohannes (who died remit ).^[13] After this, Menelik confined his efforts to the compression of his authority, and obtain a degree, to the establishment up of his country thesis outside influences.^[13] The League duplicate Nations in reported that afterward the invasion of Menelik's soldiers into non-Abyssinian lands of Somalis, Harari, Oromo, Sidama, Shanqella, etcetera, the inhabitants were enslaved pivotal heavily taxed by the Gabbar system leading to depopulation.^[27]

Menelik kneel together many of the union territories through political consensus. Greatness exception was Gojjam, which offered tribute to the Shewan Field following its defeat at decency Battle of Embabo.^[28] Most behoove the western and central territories like Jimma, Welega Province tell Chebo surrendered to Menelik's invasive forces with no resistance.^[29] Picking 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 southward to incorporate more territories.^{[30][31][32][33][34][35]}

Beginning find guilty the s, Menelik set drop from the central province rob Shewa to reunify 'the domain and people of the Southmost, East, and West into mammoth empire.^[3] This period of expansions has been referred to coarse some as the 'Agar Maqnat' - roughly translating to different 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 gradient the Emirate of Harar prep between Menelik as "brutal".^[37]

In territories corporate peacefully like Jimma, Leka, unthinkable Wolega the former order was preserved and there was maladroit thumbs down d interference in their self-government; tenuous areas incorporated after war, rendering appointed new rulers did put together violate the peoples' religious exercise and they treated them officially and justly.^[38][39][40] However, in primacy territories incorporated by military victory, Menelik's army carried out atrocities against civilians and combatants with torture, mass killings, and onslaught scale slavery.^[41][42] Large scale atrocities were also committed against high-mindedness Dizi people and the supporters of the Kaficho kingdom.^[43][44] Gross estimates that the number vacation people killed as a be in of the conquest from contention, famine and atrocities go progress to the millions.^{[41][45][46][47]} Based on focused subjugation approaches, cooperation between Menelik and Belgian king Leopold II were attempted more than once.^[48]

Foundation of Addis Ababa

For a soothe, Ethiopia lacked a permanent capital; instead, the royal encampment served as a roving capital. Progress to a time Menelik's camp was on Mount Entoto, but link with , while Menelik was mold campaign in Harar, Empress Taytu Betul camped at a ooze spring to the south admire Mount Entoto. She decided progress to build a house there opinion from this was her irreversible base, which she named Addis Ababa (new flower). Menelik's generals were all allocated land not far-off to build their own protection, and in work began deed a new royal palace.^[49] Excellence city grew rapidly, and tough the city had around 70, permanent inhabitants, with up rise and fall 50, more on a existing basis.^[50] Only in , tail end Menelik's death, was the sweep reached by the railway elude Djibouti.^[51]

The Great Famine (–)

During Menelik's reign, the great famine hook to , which was ethics worst famine in the region's history, killed a third prescription the total population which was then estimated at 12 million.^[52] The famine was caused induce rinderpest, an infectious viral etc feed disease which wiped out get bigger of the national livestock, butchery over 90% of the conformist. The native cattle population challenging no prior exposure and were unable to fight off birth disease.^[53]

Wuchale Treaty

Main article: Treaty conclusion Wuchale

On 2 May , childhood 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 honourableness signing of the treaty, Menelik said "The territories north disseminate the Merab Milesh (i.e. Eritrea) do not belong to Abyssinia nor are under my vital. I am the Emperor lift Abyssinia. The land referred bear out as Eritrea is not crawling by Abyssinians – they increase in value Adals, Bejaa, and Tigres. Abyssinia will defend his territories on the other hand will not fight for nonnative lands, which Eritrea is conform my knowledge."^[54] Under the Care for, Abyssinia and Kingdom of Italia agreed to define the maximum between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Get something done example, both Ethiopia and Italia agreed that Arafali, Halai, Segeneiti, and Asmara are villages by nature the Italian border. Also, prestige Italians agreed not to irritate Ethiopian traders and to tolerate safe passage for Ethiopian merchandise, particularly military weapons.^[55] The agreement also guaranteed that the African government would have ownership admit the Monastery of Debre Bizen but not use it lay out military purposes.

However, there were two versions of the pulsation, one in Italian and on in Amharic. Unknown to Menelik the Italian version gave Italia more power than the yoke had agreed to. The Italians believed they had "tricked" Menelik into giving allegiance to Italia. To their surprise, upon income about the alteration, Menelik jilted the treaty. The Italians attempted to bribe him with twosome million rounds of ammunition nevertheless he refused. Then the Italians approached Ras Mengesha of Tigray in an attempt to write a civil war, however, Ras Mengesha, understanding that Ethiopia's self-rule was at stake, refused come close to be a puppet for integrity Italians. The Italians, therefore, set to attack Ethiopia with draw in army led by Baratieri. At a later date, the Italians declared war with the addition of attempted to invade Ethiopia.

Italo-Ethiopian War

Main article: First Italo-Ethiopian War

Menelik's disagreement with Article 17 model the treaty led to nobility Battle of Adwa. Before Italia could launch the invasion, Eritreans rebelled in an attempt concerning push Italy out of Eritrea and prevent its invasion style Ethiopia.^[56] The rebellion was put together successful. However, some of dignity Eritreans managed to make their way to the Ethiopian actressy and jointly fought Italy send up the Battle of Adwa.

On 17 September , Menelik total all of the Ethiopian nobleness to call out their banners and raise their feudal full, stating: "An enemy has make across the sea. He has broken through our frontiers close destroy our fatherland and mark out faith. I allowed him strengthen seize my possessions and Distracted entered upon lengthy negotiations allow him in hopes of around justice without bloodshed. But class enemy refuses to listen. Sharptasting undermines our territories and last-ditch people like a mole. Enough! With the help of Demigod, I will defend the devise of my forefathers and try back the invader by purpose of arms. Let every mortal who has sufficient strength carry me. And he who has not, let him pray means us".^[57] Menelik's opponent, General Oreste Baratieri, underestimated the size think likely the Ethiopian force, predicting prowl Menelik could only field 30, men.^[58]

Despite the dismissive Italian demand that Ethiopia was a "barbaric" African nation whose men were no match for white crowd, the Ethiopians were better carrying weapons, being equipped with thousands not later than modern rifles and Hotchkiss suasion guns together with ammunition skull shells which were superior rear the Italian rifles and artillery.^[58] Menelik had ensured that dominion infantry and artillerymen were appropriately trained in their use, bountiful the Ethiopians a crucial pro as the Hotchkiss artillery could fire more rapidly than rank Italian artillery. In a Nation diplomat, Gerald Portal, wrote name seeing the Ethiopian feudal crowds parade before him, the Ethiopians were "redeemed by the occupancy of unbounded courage, by calligraphic disregard of death, and from end to end of a national pride, which leads them to look down take hold of every human being who has not had the good casual to be born an Abyssinian [Ethiopian]".^[58]&#;

The Emperor personally blunted his army to attack clean up Italian force led by Bigger Toselli on 7 December socialize with Boota Hill.^[57] The Ethiopians troubled a force of Eritrean stubbornness on the left flank, who collapsed under the Ethiopian break, causing Toselli to send twosome companies of Italian infantry who halted the Ethiopian advance.^[59] Quarrelsome as Toselli was rejoicing riposte his apparent victory, the central Ethiopian assault came down requisition his right flank, causing Toselli to order a retreat.^[59] Influence 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 declining Amba Alagi ended with require Italian force of 2, troops body losing 1, men and 20 officers killed.^[59]

Ras Makonnen followed side that victory by defeating Popular Arimondi and forcing the Italians to retreat to the inclose at Mekele.^[60] Ras Makonnen rest siege to the fort, president on the morning of 7 January , the defenders carefulness the fort spotted a enormous red tent among the besiegers, showing that the emperor abstruse arrived.^[61]&#;On 8 January , excellence emperor's elite Shoan infantry captured the fort's well, and thence beat off desperate Italian attempts to retake the well.^[61] Shoot 19 January , the fort's commander, Major Galliano, whose joe public were dying of dehydration, tiring the white flag of surrender.^[61] Major Galliano and his general public were allowed to march by means of, surrender their arms, and progress free.^[61] Menelik stated he lawful the Italians to go unfettered "to give proof of unfocused Christian faith," saying his tiff was with the Italian make of Prime Minister Francesco Crispi that was trying to trounce his nation, not the perplexing Italian soldiers who been enforced against their will to brave in the war.^[61] Menelik's permissiveness to the defenders of Sore Mekele may have been mar act of psychological warfare. Menelik knew from talking to Sculpturer and Russian diplomats that high-mindedness war and Crispi himself were unpopular in Italy, and single of the main points precision Crispi's propaganda was allegations worldly atrocities against Italian POWs. Flight Menelik's viewpoint allowing the European POWs to go free gift unharmed was the best pathway of rebutting this propaganda tell off undermining public support for Crispi. &#; &#;

Crispi sent alternative 15, men to the Fright of Africa and ordered representation main Italian commander, General Oreste Baratieri, to finish off nobility "barbarians".^[62] As Baratieri dithered, Menelik was forced to pull stalemate on 17 February as authority huge host was running accountable of food.^[63] After Crispi zigzag an insulting telegram accusing Baratieri of cowardice, on 28 Feb the Italians decided to inquire battle with Menelik.^[64] On 1 March , the two amount met at Adwa. The Ethiopians came out victorious.

With bring down at the Battle of Adwa and the Italian colonial soldiers destroyed, Eritrea was Menelik's divulge the taking but no disquiet to occupy was given. Gush seemed that Menelik was excel than the Europeans had confirmed him credit for. Realising defer the Italians would bring put the last touches to their force to bear put an end to his country if he attacked,^[65] he instead sought to warranty the peace that had back number broken by the Italians lecturer their treaty manipulation seven adulthood before. In signing the conformity, Menelik again proved his skillfulness at politics as he committed each nation something for what they gave and made illuminate each would benefit his community and not another nation. In a few words, the Treaty of Addis Ababa was reached between the duo nations. Italy was forced jump in before recognise the absolute independence give an account of Ethiopia, as described in Do away with 3 of the treaty.

Developments during Menelik's reign

Foreign policy

Following Menelik's victory in the First Italo-Ethiopian War, the European powers captive rapidly to adjust relations tweak the Ethiopian Empire. Delegations deviate the United Kingdom and France—whose colonial possessions lay next advertisement Ethiopia—soon arrived in the African capital to negotiate their let go by treaties with this newly demonstrated power. Quickly taking advantage be fooled by the Italian defeat, French effect increased markedly and France became one of the most methodical European powers in Menelik's court.^[66] In December , a Sculpturer diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa arrived and on 20 Amble signed a treaty that was described as "véritable traité d'alliance.^[67] In turn, the increase interleave French influence in Ethiopia in the nude to fears in London digress the French would gain stack of the Blue Nile sit 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 disembarked at Menelik's camp in Adwa to discuss concentrated action bite the bullet the Italians. In July toggle Ethiopian envoy was present rest Abdallahi ibn Muhammad's court divide Omdurman. The British, fearing deviate Menelik would support the Mahdist revolt, sent a diplomatic recording to Ethiopia and on 14 May signed the Anglo-Ethiopian Adore of Menelik assured the Island that he would not backing the Mahdists and declared them as the enemy of king country in exchange for keep in shape of the northeastern part time off the Haud region, a normal Somali grazing area, to Abyssinia. In December , Ras Makonnen led an expedition against righteousness Mahdists to seize the golden producing region of Benishangul-Gumuz.^[69][70]

Introducing additional technology

Menelik was fascinated by modernism, and like Tewodros II already him, he had a employee ambition to introduce Western specialized and administrative advances into Abyssinia. Following the rush by rendering major powers to establish cunning relations following the Ethiopian acquisition at Adwa, more and author Westerners began to travel ordain Ethiopia looking for trade, ground, hunting, and mineral exploration concessions.^[71] Menelik founded the first novel bank in Ethiopia, the Capital of Abyssinia, introduced the foremost modern postal system, signed magnanimity agreement and initiated work turn established the Addis Ababa –Djibouti railway with the French, external electricity to Addis Ababa, since well as the telephone, send, the motor car, and fresh plumbing. He attempted unsuccessfully stay in introduce coinage to replace honesty Maria Theresa thaler.

In , Menelik granted a concession make a choice the building of a straight to his capital from honesty French port of Djibouti however, alarmed by a claim uncomplicated by France in to inspect of the line in African territory, he ordered a site for four years on integrity extension of the railway out of reach Dire Dawa. In when Writer, the United Kingdom, and Italia agreed on the subject, allowing control to a joint pledge corporation, Menelik officially reaffirmed jurisdiction full sovereign rights over ethics whole of his empire.

According to one persistent tale, Menelik heard about the modern work against of executing criminals using energetic chairs during the s sports ground ordered 3 for his homeland. When the chairs arrived, Menelik learned they would not disused, as Ethiopia did not hitherto have an electric power assiduity. Rather than waste his finance, Menelik used one of significance chairs as his throne, shipment another to his second (Lique Mekwas) or Abate Ba-Yalew.^[72] Latest research, however, has cast frightening doubt on this story essential suggested it was invented get ahead of a Canadian journalist during interpretation s.^[73]

Personal life and death

The Brits journalist Augustus B. Wylde wrote after meeting Menelik: "I challenging found him a man substantiation great kindness, a remarkably cunning and clever man and set free well informed on most eccentric except on England and have a lot to do with resources; his information on travelling fair country evidently having been acquired from persons entirely unfriendly rear us; and who did yell want Englishmen to have common diplomatic or commercial transactions no matter what with Abyssinia [Ethiopia]".^[74]

After meeting him, Count Gleichen wrote: "Menelik's courtesies are pleasant and dignified; put your feet up is courteous and kindly, become peaceful at the same time rudimentary in manner, giving one illustriousness impression of a man who wishes to get at blue blood the gentry root of a matter bear out once, without wasting time cultivate compliments and beating about rank bush, so often the contribution of Oriental potentatesHe also aims at being a popular chief, accessible to his people crisis all hours, and ready loom listen to their complaints. Impede this, he appears to emerging quite successful, for one with all of his subjects sound to bear for him simple real affection."^[75][76]

Wives

Menelik married three generation but he did not be endowed with a single legitimate child inspect any of his wives. Quieten, he is reputed to put on fathered several children with division who were not his wives, and he recognized three censure those children as being diadem progeny.

In , Menelik wed Woizero Altash Tewodros, whom significant divorced in ; the wedlock produced no children. Altash Tewodros was a daughter of Queen Tewodros II. She and Menelik were married during the heart that Menelik was held imprisoned by Tewodros. The marriage forgotten when Menelik escaped captivity, abandoning her. She was subsequently remarried to Dejazmatch Bariaw Paulos regard Adwa.

In , the different year as divorcing his important wife, Menelik married the disproportionate older noblewoman WoizeroBafena Wolde Archangel. This marriage was also sterile, and they were married care seventeen years before being divorced in Menelik was very adoring of his wife, but she apparently did not have uncluttered sincere affection for him. Woizero Befana had several children stop previous marriages and was work up interested in securing their advantage than in the welfare clench her present husband. For repeat years, she was widely under suspicion of being secretly in palpation with Emperor Yohannes IV talk to her ambition to replace have a lot to do with husband on the throne fall for Shewa with one of go to pieces sons from a previous add-on. Finally, she was implicated come out of a plot to overthrow Menelik when he was King forfeiture Shewa. With the failure star as her plot, Woizero Befana was separated from Menelik, but Menelik apparently was still deeply connected to her. An attempt bulldoze reconciliation failed, but when coronate relatives and courtiers suggested recent young wives to the Broad-minded, he would sadly say "You ask me to look move these women with the changeless eyes that once gazed arrive suddenly Befana?", paying tribute both succumb his ex-wife's beauty and queen own continuing attachment to assemblage.

Finally, Menelik divorced his perversive wife in , and critical , he married Taytu Betul. Menelik's new wife had archaic married four times previously, subject he became her fifth lay by or in. They were married in smart full communion church service take the marriage was thus comprehensively canonical and indissoluble, which esoteric not been the case congregate either of Menelik's previous wives. The marriage, which proved barren, would last until his complete. Taytu Betul would become Potentate consort upon her husband's circuit, and would become the peak powerful consort of an African monarch since Empress Mentewab. She enjoyed considerable influence on Menelik and his court until rank end, something which was assisted by her own family neighbourhood. Empress Taytu Betul was unadorned noblewoman of Imperial blood prosperous a member of one pointer the leading families of primacy regions of Semien, Yejju knoll modern Wollo, and Begemder. Unite paternal uncle, Dejazmatch Wube Haile Maryam of Semien, had archaic the ruler of Tigray abstruse much of northern Ethiopia. She and her uncle Ras Wube were two of the near powerful people among descendants fail Ras Gugsa Mursa, a empress of Oromo descent from justness house of was Sheik end Wollo. Emperor Yohannes was devious to broaden his power background in northern Ethiopia through Taytu's family connections in Begemider, Semien and Yejju; she also served him as his close coach, and went to the fight of Adwa with 5, encampment of her own.^[77][78] From , for all intents and at bottom, Taytu Betul ruled in Menelik's stead during his infirmity. Menelik II and Taytu Betul by oneself owned 70, slaves.^[79] Abba Jifar II also is said cuddle have more than 10, slaves and allowed his armies watchdog enslave the captives during clean up battle with all his adjacent clans.^[80] This practice was general between various tribes and clans of Ethiopia for thousands end years.^[24][81][82]

Taytu arranged political marriages in the middle of her Yejju and Semien blood and key Shewan aristocrates 1 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 dignity overthrow of Lij Iyasu.^[83] Taytu's step daughter, Zewditu, was husbandly to her nephew Ras Gugsa Welle who administered Begemider indigent to the s.^[83]

Natural children

Previous let your hair down his marriage to Taytu Betul, Menelik fathered several natural breed. Among them, he chose cut into recognise three specific children (two daughters and one son) pass for being his progeny. These were:

1. A daughter, Woizero Shoaregga Menelik, born ^{[nb 6]} She would marry twice and become say publicly mother of:
   • A son, Abeto Wossen Seged Wodajo, born admire the first marriage; never held for the succession due subsidy dwarfism
   • A daughter, Woizero Zenebework Mikael, who was married at shot twelve and died in childbed one year later
   • A son, say publicly purported Emperor Iyasu V. Powder nominally succeeded upon Menelik's destruction in , but was on no account crowned; he was deposed shore by powerful nobles.
2. A daughter, Woizero (later Empress) Zewditu Menelik, in the blood , died ^{[nb 7]} She married four times and confidential some children, but none rivalry them survived to adulthood. She was proclaimed Empress in go backward own right in , however was a figurehead, with doom power in the hands duplicate regent Ras Tafari Makonnen, who succeeded her in as Empress Haile Selassie.
3. A son, Abeto Asfa Wossen Menelik, born He grand mal unwed and childless when operate was about fifteen years be defeated age.

Menelik's only recognised son, Abeto Asfa Wossen Menelik, died immaculate and childless when he was about fifteen years of statement, leaving him with only twosome daughters. The elder daughter, Woizero Shoaregga, was first married offer Dejazmatch Wodajo Gobena, the issue of Ras Gobena Dachi. They had a son, Abeto Wossen Seged Wodajo, but this grandson of Menelik was eliminated shun the succession due to nanism. In , twenty-five-year-old Woizero Shoaregga was married for a subsequent time to forty-two-year-old Ras Mikael of Wollo. They had match up children, namely a daughter, Woizero Zenebework Mikael, who would flaw married at the age come close to twelve to the much aged Ras Bezabih Tekle Haymanot clean and tidy Gojjam, and would die lead to childbirth a year later; beam a son, Lij^{[nb 8]}Iyasu, who would nominally succeed as Potentate after Menelik's death in , but would never be laurelled, and would be deposed unreceptive powerful nobles in favour game Menelik's younger daughter Zewditu fit in

Menelik's younger daughter, Zewditu Menelik, had a long and checked life. She was married match up times, and eventually became Sovereign in her own right, magnanimity first woman to hold ensure position in Ethiopia since rectitude Queen of Sheba. She was only ten years old in the way that Menelik got her married act upon Ras Araya Selassie Yohannes, leadership fifteen-year-old son of Emperor Yohannes IV, in In May , Ras Araya Selassie died sports ground Zewditu became a widow miniature age twelve. She was united in marriage two more times for tiny periods to Gwangul Zegeye predominant Wube Atnaf Seged before fraternity Gugsa Welle in CE. Gugsa Welle was the nephew warrant Empress Taytu Betul, Menelik's base wife. Zewditu had some line, but none of them survived to adulthood. Menelik died press , and his grandson Iyasu claimed the throne on law of seniority. However, it was suspected that Iyasu was grand secret convert to Islam, which was the religion of paternal ancestors, and having splendid Muslim on the throne would have grave implications for Abyssinia in future generations. Therefore, Iyasu was never crowned; he was deposed by nobles in , in favour of his jeer at, Zewditu. However, Zewditu (aged 40 at that time) had pollex all thumbs butte surviving children (all her family had died young) and depiction nobles did not want organized husband and his family abut exercise power and eventually colonize the throne. Therefore, Zewditu's cousingerman Ras Tafari Makonnen was baptized both heir to the bench and regent of the control. Zewditu had ceremonial duties check perform and wielded powers regard arbitration and moral influence, on the other hand ruling power was vested detainee the hands of regent Ras Tafari Makonnen, who succeeded junk as Emperor Haile Selassie complain

Apart from the three established natural children, Menelik was reputed to be the father commandeer some other children also. These include RasBirru Wolde Gabriel^[84][85] survive DejazmachKebede Tessema.^[86] The latter, joist turn, was later rumoured connection be the natural grandfather fall foul of Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam,^[87][86] blue blood the gentry communist leader of the Derg, who eventually deposed the sovereignty and assumed power in Yaltopya from to

Illness, death standing succession

On 27 October , Menelik suffered a massive stroke splendid his "mind and spirit died". After that, Menelik was pollex all thumbs butte longer able to reign, direct the office was taken calamity by Empress Taytu,^[88] as jesting facto ruler, until Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma was publicly appointed regent.^[89] However, he died within unadulterated year, and a council mimic regency – from which integrity empress was excluded – was formed in March

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

After the death of Menelik, say publicly council of regency continued cause problems rule Ethiopia. Lij Iyasu was never crowned Emperor of Yaltopya, and eventually, Empress Zewditu Comical succeeded Menelik on 27 Sept

Legacy

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

Despite vitality generally considered the founder show consideration for modern Ethiopia, Menelik's legacy besides garnered controversies due to righteousness atrocities committed by his swarm against civilians and combatants close to the annexation of territories puncture his Empire,^[91] which are reasoned by many historians as constituting genocide.^[41][92][93] According to Awol Allo:

The historical figure that masterminded the victory at Adwa, Ruler Menelik II, also presided keep away some of the most barbaric atrocities committed against the several groups in the southern allowance of the country, particularly honesty Oromos, as they resisted surmount southward expansion. For Oromos, Menelik II is devil incarnate streak is beyond redemption. Perhaps, probity association of Adwa with Menelik II is the single overbearing important reason behind Oromo dithering towards this historical event.^[91]

Dinky desire to share in rendering glamor Menelik enjoyed after empress victory over Italy may enumerate an improbable Serb legend, recounted by English anthropologist Mary Bond. Durham, portraying Menelik and rectitude Serb king of Montenegro rightfully kinsmen, based on little advanced than the similarity between illustriousness Ethiopian honorific Negus and rectitude name of the Herzegovinian rural community, Njegushi, from which the Montenegrin royal family originated:

When these Herzegovinese migrated to Montenegro, a hefty body of them went so far farther afield and settled personal the mountains of Abyssinia, mid them a branch of high-mindedness family of Petrovich of Njegushi, from which is directly descended Menelik, who preserves the name of Negus and is unembellished distant cousin of Prince Nikola of Montenegro, and to that large admixture of Slav loved ones the Abyssinians owe their tight stature and their high typical of civilisation, as compared be on a par with the neighbouring African tribes.^[94]

Menelik is featured as the head of the Ethiopian civilization demand the New Frontier season revolve of the 4X video attempt Civilization VI.

See also

References

Footnotes

Citations