Menelik II

Menelik II was married thrice. His first marriage was to Altash Tewodros in 1864. The short-lived marriage ended in 1865.

He married for the second time in 1865. His second wife was Befana Gatchew, whom he divorced in 1882.

In 1883 he married Taytu Betul, a noblewoman of Imperial blood.

Menelik II was born as Sahle Maryam on August 17, 1844, in Angolalla, Shewa. His father Haile Melekot was the Negus (King) of Shewa while his mother Woizero Ijigayehu, was a servant in the household of Haile Melekot's grandmother, Woizero Zenebework.

His parents were unmarried at the time of his birth though they got married afterwards. In spite of being born out of wedlock, the child was ordered legitimized by his grandfather, and Haile Melekot named him the successor to the throne of Shewa.

In 1855, Tewodros II, the Emperor of Ethiopia, invaded the kingdom of Shewa. Haile Melekot died in one of the early battles and Menelik was captured and taken to Tewodros II’s mountain stronghold of Magdala. The young prince was just 11 years old.

Tewodros treated the prince well. He took a special interest in his education and ensured that he received martial training and learned about politics. The boy was even made a dejazmach, or earl, and was offered the hand of the emperor’s daughter, Altash, in marriage.

Meanwhile, Menelik’s uncle, Haile Mikael had been appointed as Meridazmach (“Supreme General”) of Shewa by Tewodros II. However, Haile Mikael rebelled against the Emperor and he replaced him with Bezebeh. He too rebelled against the Emperor and proclaimed himself Negus of Shewa.

After being in the captivity of Tewodros II for ten long years, Menelik was ultimately successful in escaping in July 1865. Aged 21 by now, he was a strong, well-built, and courageous youth who was determined to reclaim the throne of Shewa that rightfully belonged to him.

Menelik returned to Shewa and Bezebeh attempted to raise an army against him. However, Menelik had overwhelming public support and he proclaimed himself Negus.

After reclaiming Shewa, he set his ambitions higher and laid claim to the imperial throne. However, he did not take any overt action for as long as Emperor Tewodros was alive. Tewodros died in 1868 and Menelik decided to take action regarding his claim to the emperor’s throne.

Menelik was not the only claimant to the throne. Yohannes IV, a very powerful Ethiopian prince also vied for the emperor’s crown and was successful in becoming the Emperor of Ethiopia in1871.

Meanwhile Menelik focused on expanding his territories and directed his ambitions to the south and east. He successfully captured Arusi, Harer (Harar), Jima, Kefa (Kaffa), and several kingdoms of southern Ethiopia thus extensively adding to his territories.

Menelik is best remembered for the valor he displayed in the Battle of Adwa, which was fought between the Ethiopian army and Italian forces in March 1896. The Ethiopians soundly defeated the Italians who tried to invade the Ethiopian territories and attempted to build their own empire in Africa. It was the first crushing defeat of a European power by African forces during the colonial era.