Emperor of Ethiopia

Emperor of Ethiopia
Imperial
Imperial Coat of arms
Last to reign Haile Selassie 2 April 1930 – 12 September 1974
Details
Style	His Imperial Majesty
First monarch	Menelik I
Last monarch	Haile Selassie
Formation	c. 980 BC (traditional)[1]
Abolition	21 March 1975
Residence	Menelik Palace
Appointer	Hereditary
Pretender(s)	Zera Yacob Amha Selassie

This article contains Ethiopic text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Ethiopic characters.

Lebna Dengel, nəgusä nägäst (Emperor) of Ethiopia and a member of the Solomonic dynasty.

The Emperor of Ethiopia (Ge'ez: ንጉሠ ነገሥት, nəgusä nägäst, "King of Kings") was the hereditary ruler of the Ethiopian Empire, until the abolition of the monarchy in 1975. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country. A National Geographic article called imperial Ethiopia "nominally a constitutional monarchy; in fact [it was] a benevolent autocracy".^[2]

Title and style[]

Emperor Tewodros II (1855–1868)

The title of "King of Kings", often rendered imprecisely in English as "Emperor", dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, but was used in Axum by King Sembrouthes (c. 250 AD). However, Yuri Kobishchanov dates this usage to the period following the Persian victory over the Romans in 296–297.^[3] Its use, from at least the reign of Yekuno Amlak onward, meant that both subordinate officials and tributary rulers, notably the gubernatorial vassals of Gojjam (who ranked 12th in the states non-dynastic protocol as per 1690), Welega, the seaward provinces and later Shewa, received the honorific title of nəgus, a word for "king."

The consort of the Emperor was referred to as the ətege. Empress Zewditu used the feminized form nəgəstä nägäst ("Queen of Kings") to show that she reigned in her own right, and did not use the title of ətege.

Succession[]

At the death of a monarch any male or female blood relative of the Emperor could claim succession to the throne: sons, brothers, daughters and nephews all inherited at times. Practice favoured primogeniture but did not always enforce it. The system developed two approaches to controlling the succession: the first, employed on occasion before the 20th century, involved interning all of the Emperor's possible rivals in a secure location, which drastically limited their ability to disrupt the Empire with revolts or to dispute the succession of an heir apparent; the second, used with increasing frequency, involved the selection of Emperors by a council of the senior officials of the realm, both secular and religious.

Ethiopian traditions do not all agree as to exactly when the custom started of imprisoning rivals to the throne on a Mountain of the Princes. One tradition credits this practice to the Zagwe king Yemrehana Krestos (fl. 11th century), who allegedly received the idea in a dream;^[4] Taddesse Tamrat discredits this tradition, arguing that the records of the Zagwe dynasty betray too many disputed successions for this to have been the case.^[5] Another tradition, recorded by historian Thomas Pakenham, states that this practice predates the Zagwe dynasty (which ruled from ca. 900 AD), and was first practiced on Debre Damo, which was captured by the 10th-century queen Gudit, who then isolated 200 princes there to death; however, Pakenham also notes that when questioned, the abbot of the monastery on Debre Damo knew of no such tale.^[6] Taddesse Tamrat argues that this practice began in the reign of Wedem Arad (1299–1314), following the struggle for succession that he believes lies behind the series of brief reigns of the sons of Yagbe'u Seyon (reigned 1285–1294). A constructivist approach^[which?] states that the tradition was used on occasion, weakened or lapsed sometimes, and was sometimes revived to full effect after some unfortunate disputes – and that the custom started in time immemorial as Ethiopian common inheritance patterns allowed all agnates to also succeed to the lands of the monarchy – which however is contrary to keeping the country undivided.

The potential royal rivals were incarcerated at Amba Geshen until Ahmed Gragn captured that site in 1540 and destroyed it; then, from the reign of Fasilides (1632–1667) until the mid-18th century, at Wehni. Rumors of these royal mountain residences were part of the inspiration for Samuel Johnson's short story, Rasselas.

Although the Emperor of Ethiopia had theoretically unlimited power over his subjects, his councillors came to play an increasing role in governing Ethiopia, because many Emperors were succeeded either by a child, or one of the incarcerated princes, who could only successfully leave their prisons with help from the outside. As a result, by the mid-18th century the power of the Emperor had been largely transferred to his deputies, like Ras Mikael Sehul of Tigray (ca. 1691 – 1779), who held actual power in the Empire and elevated or deposed Emperors at will.

Ideology[]

The Emperors of Ethiopia derived their right to rule based on two dynastic claims: their descent from the kings of Axum, and their descent from Menelik I, the son of Solomon and Makeda, Queen of Sheba.

The claim to their relationship to the Kings of Axum derives from Yakuno Amlak's claim that he was the descendant of Dil Na'od, through his father, although he defeated and killed the last Zagwe king in battle. His claim to the throne was also helped by his marriage to that king's daughter, even though Ethiopians commonly do not acknowledge claims from the distaff side. The claim of descent from Menelik I is based on the assertion that the kings of Axum were also the descendants of Menelik I; its definitive and best-known formulation is set forth in the Kebra Nagast. While the surviving records of these kings fail to shed light on their origins, this genealogical claim is first documented in the 10th century by an Arab historian. Interpretations of this claim vary widely. Some (including many inside Ethiopia) accept it as evident fact. At the other extreme, others (mostly interested non-Ethiopians) understand this as an expression of propaganda, attempting to connect the legitimacy of the state to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Some scholars take an approach in the middle, attempting to either find a connection between Axum and the South Arabian kingdom of Saba, or between Axum and the pre-exilic Kingdom of Judah. Due to lack of primary materials, it is not possible as of 2006 to determine which theory is the more plausible.

History[]

The Solomonic dynasty[]

The restored Solomonic dynasty, which claimed descent from the old Aksumite rulers, ruled Ethiopia from the 13th century until 1974, with only a couple of usurpers. The Amhara warrior turned Emperor, Kassa of Qwara, Gonder, in 1855 took complete control over Ethiopia and was crowned Tewodros II. After him, one of the many rebels leaders that helped the British in their expedition into Abyssinia was Dejazmatch Kassai, he was rewarded with articles of war for his services and went on to assume power through his claim of Solomonic decedent by his mothers from the Gondar branch and was crowned Yohannes IV. Menelik of Shewa, who descended from Solomonic Emperors but a slave woman, in the direct male line (junior only to the Gondar line), ascended the imperial throne following Yohannis IV's death, thus purporting to restore the male-line Solomonic tradition.

The Emperor Tewodros spent his youth fighting with invading Egyptians and 'Turks', then unifying the Empire after the dark ages of 'Zemene Mesafint' (Era of the Princes). Emperor Menelik II achieved a major military victory against Italian invaders in March 1896 at the Battle of Adwa. Menelik signed a treaty allowing the Italians to take Eritrea and sold Djubouti to France. After Menelik, all monarchs were of distaff descent from Solomonics. The male line, through the descendants of Menelik's cousin Dejazmatch Taye Gulilat, still existed, but had been pushed aside largely because of Menelik's personal distaste for this branch of his family. Menelik's Solomonic successors ruled the country until the military coup in 1974.

Italian occupation of Ethiopia[]

Italy under Benito Mussolini attacked Ethiopia in 1935, starting the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. Italian successes in the war caused Emperor Haile Selassie to flee abroad into exile in 1936; he pled Ethiopia's case against Italy before the League of Nations, but aid from the League was not forthcoming. Italy added Ethiopia to its already existing colonies of Eritrea and Italian Somalia, creating the new dependent state of Italian East Africa. On 9 May 1936, King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy proclaimed himself Emperor of Ethiopia, replacing Haile Selassie.

Victor Emmanuel's claim to Emperorship was not entirely accepted, with the Soviet Union never considering the Italian conquest legitimate, and Haile Selassie continuing to contest the occupation from exile in the United Kingdom. With Italy's entry on the side of the Axis Powers in World War II, the African part of the British Empire aided Haile Selassie and anti-Italian Ethiopian forces in the East African campaign. Italy was defeated and Selassie restored to the throne, with most combat in Ethiopia ending in 1941. The Armistice of Cassibile was signed in September 1943 with the Kingdom of Italy's surrender, and Victor Emmanuel III officially renounced his title as Emperor of Ethiopia in November 1943.

Return of Haile Selassie, post-war period, and end of the monarchy[]

In January 1942, Selassie was officially reinstated to power in Ethiopia. The position of the Emperor and the line of succession were strictly defined in both of the constitutions adopted during the reign of Haile Selassie: the one adopted on July 16, 1931; and the revised one of November 1955.

Haile Selassie was the last Solomonic monarch to rule Ethiopia. He was deposed by the Derg, the committee of lower-ranking military and police officials on September 12, 1974. The Derg offered the throne to Haile Selassie's son Amha Selassie, who – understandably mistrustful of the Derg – refused to return to Ethiopia to rule. The Derg abolished the monarchy on 21 March 1975. In April 1989, Amha Selassie was proclaimed Emperor in exile at London, with his succession backdated to the date of Emperor Haile Selassie's death in August 1975 rather than his deposition in September 1974. In 1993 a group called the "Crown Council of Ethiopia", which included several descendants of Haile Selassie, affirmed Amha as Emperor and legal head of Ethiopia. However, the 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia confirmed the abolition of the monarchy.

Symbols[]

• 

  The Conquering Lion of Judah, a title of the Ethiopian Emperor and a national symbol of Ethiopia.

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  Imperial Emblem of Ethiopia

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  Imperial Standard of Haile Selassie (obverse)

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  Imperial Standard of Haile Selassie (reverse)

Family tree[]

hideFamily of Emperor of Ethiopia
Legend EMPEROR (bold, capital letters) Marriage Descent Uncertain/purported/legendary descent HOUSE OF DAVID SOLOMON King of Israel MAKEDA Queen of Sheba MENELIK I Semi-legendary first emperor KINGS OF AXUM (mostly ahistorical, legendary genealogy) DIL NA'OD Last King of Axum MARA TAKLA HAYMANOT (1) Masoba Warq Mkhbara Widam (Mahbere-Widam) ZAGWE DYNASTY TATADIM (2) JAN SEYUM (3) GERMA SEYUM (4) Agba Seyun (Yakob) KEDUS HARBE (6) GEBRE MESQEL LALIBELA (7) YEMREHANA KRESTOS (5) Sinfa Ar'ad NA'AKUETO LA'AB (8) YETBARAK (9) Negus Zaré Asfiha Yakob Bahr Seggad Zagwe Dynasty[7] Adam Asgad (Widma Asgad) Tasfa Iyasus YEKUNO AMLAK 1270–1285 SOLOMONIC DYNASTY Yagbe'u Seyon (SALOMON I) 1285–1294 WEDEM ARAD 1299–1314 Prince Qidma Seggada SENFA ARED IV 1294–1295 HEZBA ASGAD 1295–1296 QEDMA ASGAD 1296–1297 JIN ASGAD 1297–1298 SABA ASGAD 1298–1299 AMDA SEYON I 1314–1344 NEWAYA KRESTOS 1344–1372 DAWIT I 1382–1413 NEWAYA MARYAM 1372–1382 TEWODROS I 1413–1414 YESHAQ I 1414–1429 TAKLA MARYAM 1430–1433 ZARA YAQOB 1434–1468 ANDREYAS 1429–1430 SARWE IYASUS 1433 AMDA IYASUS 1433–1434 BAEDA MARYAM I 1468–1478 ESKENDER 1478–1494 NA'OD 1494–1507 AMDA SEYON II 1494 DAWIT II 1507–1540 GELAWDEWOS 1540–1559 MENAS 1559–1563 Prince Yakob SOLOMONIC DYNASTY GONDAR BRANCH SOLOMONIC DYNASTY SHEWA BRANCH SARSA DENGEL 1563–1597 Prince Lesana Krestos Prince Fasilidas Prince Segwa Qal YAQOB 1597–1603 1604–1606 ZA DENGEL 1603–1604 SUSENYOS I 1606–1632 Warada Qal FASILIDES 1632–1667 Lebsa Qal YOHANNES I 1667–1682 Negasi Krestos Ruler of Shewa Princess Amlakawit IYASU I 1682–1706 TEWOFLOS 1708–1711 Sebestyanos Ruler of Shewa Delba Iyasus Dejazmatch of Tigray TEKLE HAYMANOT I 1706–1708 BAKAFFA 1721–1730 DAWIT III 1716–1721 YOHANNES II 1769 Qedami Qal Ruler of Shewa YOSTOS 1711–1716 IYASU II 1730–1755 TEKLE HAYMANOT II 1769–1770 1770–1777 TEKLE GIYORGIS I 1779–1784; 1788–1789 1794–1795; 1795–1796 1798–1799; 1800 Amha Iyasus Ruler of Shewa Prince Adigo Prince Atsequ IYOAS I 1755–1769 HEZQEYAS 1789–1794 SALOMON III 1796–1797 1799 YOHANNES III 1840–1841; 1845 1850–1851 Asfa Wossen Ruler of Shewa SALOMON II 1777–1779 IYASU III 1784–1788 EGWALE SEYON 1801–1818 IYOAS II 1818–1821 IYASU IV 1830–1832 Unascertainable claims of descent from Fasilides (intermediate generations omitted) Wossen Seged Ruler of Shewa (alleged sons of Iyasu II) BAEDA MARYAM II 1795 SUSENYOS II 1770 GIGAR 1821–1826 1826–1830 YONAS 1797–1798 Gabre Masai DEMETROS 1799–1800 1800–1801 GEBRE KRESTOS 1832 SAHLE DENGEL 1832–1840; 1841–1845 1845–1850; 1851–1855 Sahle Selassie Ruler of Shewa BAEDA MARYAM III (1826) (unknown parentage) TIGRAY DYNASTY TEWODROS DYNASTY Mirtcha Wolde Kidane Shum of Tembien TEWODROS II 1855–1868 Haile Melekot Ruler of Shewa Princess Tenagnework ZAGWE DYNASTY (RESTORED) TEKLE GIYORGIS II 1868–1872 Empress Dinqinesh YOHANNES IV 1872–1889 Woizero Altash MENELIK II 1889–1913 Other wives Ras Makonnen Governor of Harar Araya Selassie King of Tigray ZEWDITU I 1916–1930 Princess Shoagarad HAILE SELASSIE I 1930–1974 IYASU V 1913–1916 AMHA SELASSIE 1989–1997 Crown Prince Titular Emperor ZERA YACOB 1997–present Crown Prince Titular Emperor

See also[]

• Fetha Nagast
• History of Ethiopia
• List of emperors of Ethiopia
• Monarchies of Ethiopia

Notes[]

External links[]

• Rasta Ites – List of Ethiopian Kings
• Friesian – Emperors of Ethiopia
• Crown Council of Ethiopia