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Emperor Menelik II GCB, GCMG (, ), baptized as Sahle Maryam (17 August 1844 – 12 December 1913), was ''Negus'' of Shewa (1866–89), then of Ethiopia from 1889 to his death. At the height of his internal power and external prestige, the process of territorial expansion and creation of the modern empire-state had been completed by 1898, thus restoring the ancient Ethiopian Kingdom to its glory of the Axumite Empire which was one of the four most powerful kingdoms of the ancient world.〔Zewde, Bahru. A history of Ethiopia: 1855-1991. 2nd ed. Eastern African studies. 2001〕 Ethiopia was transformed under ''Nəgusä Nägäst'' Menelik: the major signposts of modernization were put in place.〔Teshale Tibebu, ("Ethiopia: Menelik II: Era of", ''Encyclopedia of African history” ), Kevin Shillington (ed.), 2004.〕 Externally, his victory over the Italian invaders had earned him great fame: following Adwa, recognition of Ethiopia’s independence by external powers was expressed in terms of diplomatic representation at the court of Menelik and delineation of Ethiopia’s boundaries with the adjacent colonies.〔 Menelik expanded his kingdom to the south and east, expanding into Kaffa, Sidama, Wolayta and other kingdoms.〔International Crisis Group, "Ethnic Federalism and its Discontents". Issue 153 of ICG Africa report (4 September 2009) p. 2.〕 He is widely called Emiye〔Emiye in Amharic means "My Mother" affectionately"〕 Menelik in Ethiopia for his forgiving nature and his selfless deeds to the poor. ==Biography== Abeto Menelik (Sahle Maryam) was born in Angolalla, near Debre Birhan, Shewa. He was the son of ''Negus'' Haile Melekot of Shewa and ''Woizero'' Ijigayehu. Woizero Ijigayehu was a lady in the household of Haile Melekot's grandmother, the formidable Woizero Zenebework, widow of Merid Azmatch Wossen Seged, and mother of King Sahle Selassie of Showa. Most sources indicate that while no marriage took place between Haile Melekot and Woizero Ijigayehu, Sahle Selassie ordered his grandson legitimized. Prior to his death in 1855, ''Negus'' Haile Melekot named Menelik as successor to the throne of Shewa. Shortly after Haile Melekot died, Menelik was taken prisoner by ''Nəgusä Nägäst'' Tewodros II. Following ''Nəgusä Nägäst'' Tewodros II's conquest of Shewa, he had young Sahle Maryam transferred to his mountain stronghold of Magdala. Still, Tewodros treated the young prince well. He even offered him the hand of his daughter Altash Tewodros in marriage, which Menelik accepted. Upon Menelik's imprisonment, his uncle, Haile Mikael, was appointed as ''Shum'' of Shewa by ''Nəgusä Nägäst'' Tewodros II with the title of ''Meridazmach''. However, ''Meridazmach'' Haile Mikael rebelled against Tewodros, resulting in his being replaced by the non-royal ''Ato'' Bezabeh as ''Shum''. However, ''Ato'' Bezabeh in turn then rebelled against the Emperor and proclaimed himself ''Negus'' of Shewa. Although the Shewan royals imprisoned at Magdala had been largely complacent as long as a member of their family ruled over Shewa, this usurpation by a commoner was not palatable to them. They plotted the escape of Menelik from Magdala; with the help of Mohammed Ali and Queen Worqitu of Wollo, he escaped from Magdala the night of 1 July 1865, abandoning his wife, and returned to Shewa. Enraged, Emperor Tewodros slaughtered 29 Oromo hostages then had 12 Amhara notables beaten to death with bamboo rods. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Menelik II」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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