Menelik II

Sahle Maryam (Known as "Dagmay Menelik")

Emperor of Ethiopia, Victor of Battle of Adwa, Modernizer

Born 1844-08-17

Ankober, Ethiopia

Passed Away 1913-12-12 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Lifespan 69 years old

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Notice / Correction

"Ethiopia has been for fourteen centuries a Christian island in a sea of pagans; as the Almighty has protected her to this day, so will He protect her forever."

Archival Overview

Emperor of Ethiopia (1889–1913) whose military genius routed the invading Italian army at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, preserving Ethiopia's sovereignty and founding Addis Ababa.

Biographical Record

Sahle Maryam was born on August 17, 1844, in Ankober, Shewa. Ascending the imperial throne as Emperor Menelik II in 1889, he proved to be one of the greatest military strategists and nation-builders in African history.

When the Kingdom of Italy attempted to impose a protectorate through the deceptive Article XVII of the Treaty of Wuchale, Menelik repudiated the treaty and mobilized a massive army of over 100,000 warriors across ethnic lines. On March 1, 1896, at the Battle of Adwa, his forces decisively crushed the Italian invasion, securing an unprecedented victory that forced European recognition of Ethiopian sovereignty. Menelik founded the new imperial capital of Addis Ababa, introduced the Franco-Ethiopian railway, electricity, modern hospitals, and the first national currency.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Ba'eta Le Mariam Monastery Crypt
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

                         GPS: 9.0222, 38.7467                    

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