Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia
| Menelik II | |
|---|---|
| Emperor of Ethiopia | |
 |
|
| Emperor of Ethiopia | |
| Reign | 10 March 1889 – 12 December 1913 |
| Coronation | 3 November 1889 |
| Predecessor | Yohannes IV |
| Successor | Iyasu V (designated but uncrowned Emperor of Ethiopia) |
| Born |
17 August 1844 Angolalla, Shewa |
| Died | 12 December 1913 (aged 69) |
| Burial | Ba'eta Le Mariam Monastery prev. Se'el Bet Kidane Meheret Church |
| Spouse | Taytu Betul |
| Issue |
Zewditu I Shoa ragad Wossen Seged |
| House | House of Solomon |
| Father | Haile Melekot, King of Shewa |
| Mother | Ijigayehu Adeyamo |
| Religion | Ethiopian Orthodox |
Emperor Menelik II GCB, GCMG (Ge'ez: ዳግማዊ ምኒልክ?, Dagmäwi Menelik ), baptized as Sahle Maryam (17 August 1844 – 12 December 1913), was Negus of Shewa (1866–89), then Emperor 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 was completed by 1898, thus restoring the ancient Ethiopian Kingdom to the glory of the Aksumite Empire.
Ethiopia was transformed under Emperor Menelik: the major signposts of modernization were put in place. Externally, his victory over the Italian invaders earned him great fame: following the Battle of Adwa, recognition of Ethiopia's independence by external powers was expressed in terms of diplomatic representation at his court and delineation of Ethiopia's boundaries with the adjacent colonies. Menelik expanded his kingdom to the south and east, into Kaffa, Sidama, Wolayta and other kingdoms. He is widely called Emiye Menelik in Ethiopia for his forgiving nature and his selfless deeds for the poor.
Later in his reign, Menelik established the first Cabinet of Ministers to help in the administration of the Empire, appointing trusted and widely respected nobles and retainers to the first Ministries. These ministers would remain in place long after his death, serving in their posts through the brief reign of Lij Iyasu and into the reign of Empress Zauditu. They also played a key role in deposing Lij Iyasu.
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