Lij Iyasu
| Iyasu V | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Emperor-designate of Ethiopia | |
| Reign | 12 December 1913 – 27 September 1916 |
| Coronation | Never Crowned |
| Predecessor | Menelik II |
| Successor | Zewditu I |
| Born |
4 February 1895 Dessie, Wollo |
| Died | 25 November 1935 (aged 40) Ethiopian Empire |
| Burial | Compound of St Markos Church |
| Spouse | Seble Wongel Hailu |
| House | House of Solomon |
| Father | Mikael Ali, King of Wollo |
| Mother | Woizero Shewaregga Menelik |
| Religion | Allegations of conversion to Islam, the religion of his paternal ancestors, caused his excommunication from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church |
Iyasu V (Ge'ez: ኢያሱ፭ኛ?, the Ethiopian version of Joshua), also known as Lij Iyasu (Ge'ez: ልጅ ኢያሱ?; 4 February 1895 – 25 November 1935), was the designated but uncrowned Emperor of Ethiopia (1913–16). His baptismal name was Kifle Yaqob. Because he was never crowned emperor, he is usually referred to as Iyasu, "Lij" meaning child, especially one born of royal blood.
Lij Iyasu was born in Wollo during the reign of Menelik II of Ethiopia. His mother, Woizero Shoaregga, was the eldest daughter of Menelek. Iyasu's father was Ras Mikael, Governor of Wollo and longstanding friend of Menelik. Mikael had been born Mohammed Ali and was a Muslim until 1875, when he was obliged to convert to Christianity.
Late in his life, Emperor Menelik was confronted with the problem of his succession; if he did not explicitly name an heir before he died, the nation he had built would likely dissolve into civil war and be devoured by European colonial powers. He had four possible heirs. According to the traditional rules of succession, the next direct patrilineal descendant was the grandson of Menelik's uncie, Dejazmach Taye Gulilat. His other three heirs were all in the female line. The first of these was his oldest grandson, Dejazmach Wosan Seged, son of his daughter Shoagarad Menelik by her first marriage to Wedadjo Gobena. The second heir of the female line was his younger grandson Lij Iyasu. Finally, the third heir of the female line was Menelik's elder daughter Woizero Zewditu, who was married to Ras Gugsa Welle, nephew of the Empress Taitu.
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