The order of emperor menelik ii quotes

Order of Menelik II. Badge of the Order of Menelik II. House order. Ethiopian Empire. House of Solomon. Ethiopian Orthodox. Emperor of Ethiopia. Order of the Holy Trinity. This Order was also made by Arthus-Bertrand in Paris. The Order of Menelik was sparingly awarded in the higher grades: senior officers of the armed forces and high court officials were fortunate to retire with a Grand Cross of the Order and it may have been the highest Order available to prime ministers.

It is known to have been presented to, among others, Prince Bertil, of Sweden, in The green and red enamel cross depicts the Ethiopian Lion and is suspended from a yellow riband bordered with the Ethiopian tricolour of green, yellow and red. Ras Makonnen followed up that victory by defeating General Arimondi and forcing the Italians to retreat to the fort at Mekele.

Menelik knew from talking to French and Russian diplomats that the war and Crispi himself were unpopular in Italy, and one of the main points of Crispi's propaganda was allegations of atrocities against Italian POWs. From Menelik's viewpoint allowing the Italian POWs to go free and unharmed was the best way of rebutting this propaganda and undermining public support for Crispi.

Crispi sent another 15, men to the Horn of Africa and ordered the main Italian commander, General Oreste Baratieri, to finish off the "barbarians". The Ethiopians came out victorious. With victory at Adwa and the Italian colonial army destroyed, Eritrea was Menelik's for the taking but no order to occupy was given. It seemed that Menelik was wiser than the Europeans had given him credit for.

Realising that the Italians would bring all their force to bear on his country if he attacked, [ 65 ] he instead sought to restore the peace that had been broken by the Italians and their treaty manipulation seven years before. In signing the treaty, Menelik again proved his adeptness at politics as he promised each nation something for what they gave and made sure each would benefit his country and not another nation.

Subsequently, the Treaty of Addis Ababa was reached between the two nations. Italy was forced to recognise the absolute independence of Ethiopia, as described in Article 3 of the treaty. Delegations from the United Kingdom and France—whose colonial possessions lay next to Ethiopia—soon arrived in the Ethiopian capital to negotiate their own treaties with this newly proven power.

Quickly taking advantage of the Italian defeat, French influence increased markedly and France became one of the most influential European powers in Menelik's court.

The order of emperor menelik ii quotes: Now, with the help

On the eve of the Battle of Adwa, two Sudanese envoys from the Mahdiyya state arrived at Menelik's camp in Adwa to discuss concentrated action against the Italians. The British, fearing that Menelik would support the Mahdist revolt, sent a diplomatic mission to Ethiopia and on 14 May signed the Anglo-Ethiopian Treaty of Menelik assured the British that he would not support the Mahdists and declared them as the enemy of his country in exchange for cession of the northeastern part of the Haud region, a traditional Somali grazing area, to Ethiopia.

In DecemberRas Makonnen led an expedition against the Mahdists to seize the gold producing region of Benishangul-Gumuz. Menelik was fascinated by modernity, and like Tewodros II before him, he had a keen ambition to introduce Western technological and administrative advances into Ethiopia. Following the rush by the major powers to establish diplomatic relations following the Ethiopian victory at Adwa, more and more Westerners began to travel to Ethiopia looking for trade, farming, hunting, and mineral exploration concessions.

He attempted unsuccessfully to introduce coinage to replace the Maria Theresa thaler. InMenelik granted a concession for the building of a railway to his capital from the French port of Djibouti but, alarmed by a claim made by France in to control of the line in Ethiopian territory, he ordered a stop for four years on the extension of the railway beyond Dire Dawa.

In when France, the United Kingdom, and Italy agreed on the subject, granting control to a joint venture corporation, Menelik officially reaffirmed his full sovereign rights over the whole of his empire. According to one persistent tale, Menelik heard about the modern method of executing criminals using electric chairs during the s and ordered 3 for his kingdom.

When the chairs arrived, Menelik learned they would not work, as Ethiopia did not yet have an electric power industry. Rather than waste his investment, Menelik used one of the chairs as his throne, sending another to his second Lique Mekwas or Abate Ba-Yalew. The British journalist Augustus B. Wylde wrote after meeting Menelik: "I had found him a man of great kindness, a remarkably shrewd and clever man and very well informed on most things except on England and her resources; his information on our country evidently having been obtained from persons entirely unfriendly to us; and who did not want Englishmen to have any diplomatic or commercial transactions whatever with Abyssinia [Ethiopia]".

The order of emperor menelik ii quotes: Quotes from Emperor Menelik II

After meeting him, Count Gleichen wrote: "Menelik's manners are pleasant and dignified; he is courteous and kindly, and at the same time simple in manner, giving one the impression of a man who wishes to get at the root of a matter at once, without wasting time in compliments and beating about the bush, so often the characteristics of Oriental potentates He also aims at being a popular sovereign, accessible to his people at all hours, and ready to listen to their complaints.

In this, he appears to be quite successful, for one and all of his subjects seem to bear for him a real affection. Menelik married three times but he did not have a single legitimate child with any of his wives. However, he is reputed to have fathered several children with women who were not his wives, and he recognized three of those children as being his progeny.

InMenelik married Woizero Altash Tewodros, whom he divorced in ; the marriage produced no children. She and Menelik were married during the time that Menelik was held captive by Tewodros. The marriage ended when Menelik escaped captivity, abandoning her. She was subsequently remarried to Dejazmatch Bariaw Paulos of Adwa. Inthe same year he divorced his first wife, Menelik married the much older noblewoman Woizero Bafena Wolde Michael.

This marriage was also childless, and they were married for seventeen years before being divorced in Menelik was very fond of his wife, but she apparently did not have a sincere affection for him. Woizero Befana had several children from previous marriages and was more interested in securing their welfare than in the welfare of her present husband.

For many years, she was widely suspected of being secretly in touch with Emperor Yohannes IV in her ambition to replace her husband on the throne of Shewa with one of her sons from a previous marriage. Finally, she was implicated in a plot to overthrow Menelik when he was King of Shewa. With the failure of her plot, Woizero Befana was separated from Menelik, but Menelik apparently was still deeply attached to her.

An attempt at reconciliation failed, but when his relatives and courtiers suggested new young wives to the king, he would sadly say "You ask me to look at these women with the same eyes that once gazed upon Befana? Finally, Menelik divorced his treasonous wife inand inhe married Taytu Betul. Menelik's new wife had been married four times previously, and he became her fifth husband.

They were married in a full communion church service and the marriage was thus fully canonical and indissoluble, which had not been the case with either of Menelik's previous wives. The marriage, which proved childless, would last until his death. Taytu Betul would become empress consort upon her husband's succession, and would become the most powerful consort of an Ethiopian monarch since Empress Mentewab.

The order of emperor menelik ii quotes: A letter from Emperor Menelik

She enjoyed considerable influence on Menelik and his court until the end, something which was aided by her own family background. Empress Taytu Betul was a noblewoman of imperial blood and a member of one of the leading families of the regions of SemienYejju in modern Wollo, and Begemder. She and her uncle Ras Wube were two of the most powerful people among descendants of Ras Gugsa Mursa, a ruler of Oromo descent from the house of was Sheik of Wollo.

Emperor Yohannes was able to broaden his power base in northern Ethiopia through Taytu's family connections in Begemider, Semien and Yejju; she also served him as his close adviser, and went to the Battle of Adwa with 5, troops of her own. Menelik and Taytu Betul personally owned 70, slaves. Taytu arranged political marriages between her Yejju and Semien relatives and key Shewan aristocrates like Ras Woldegyorgis Aboyewho was Governor of Kaffa, Ras Mekonen who was governor of Harar, and Menelik's eldest daughter Zewditu Menelik who became Nigeste Negestat of the empire after the overthrow of Lij Iyasu.

Previous to his marriage to Taytu Betul, Menelik fathered several natural children. Among them, he chose to recognise three specific children two daughters and one son as being his progeny. These were:. Menelik's only recognised son, Abeto Asfa Wossen Menelik, died unwed and childless when he was about fifteen years of age, leaving him with only two daughters.

They had a son, Abeto Wossen Seged Wodajo, but this grandson of Menelik was eliminated from the succession due to dwarfism. Intwenty-five-year-old Woizero Shoaregga was married for a second time to forty-two-year-old Ras Mikael of Wollo. They had two children, namely a daughter, Woizero Zenebework Mikael, who would be married at the age of twelve to the much older Ras Bezabih Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam, and would die in childbirth a year later; and a son, Lij [ nb 8 ] Iyasuwho would nominally succeed as emperor after Menelik's death inbut would never be crowned, and would be deposed by powerful nobles in favour of Menelik's younger daughter Zewditu in Menelik's younger daughter, Zewditu Menelikhad a long and chequered life.

By seeking knowledge and wisdom from others, leaders can make better decisions and lead more effectively. His emphasis on leading by example, empowering others, serving the people, enabling excellence, and embracing continuous learning can inspire and guide leaders in any field. Menelik II, the great Ethiopian emperor, had a unique perspective on success.

He believed that success did not come without hard work and determination. It is not about reaching a specific goal, but rather constantly striving to improve and grow. In his view, success was not measured by material possessions or achievements, but by the ability to overcome challenges and make a positive impact on society. According to Menelik II, success also required patience and perseverance.

He believed that setbacks and failures were not a sign of defeat, but rather opportunities for growth and learning. He encouraged others to embrace failure as a stepping stone on the path to success. Furthermore, Menelik II emphasized the importance of integrity and honesty in achieving success. He believed that true success could only be attained by maintaining a strong moral compass and treating others with respect and fairness.

The order of emperor menelik ii quotes: Menelik II baptised as Sahle Maryam

It is a call to continuously strive for personal growth, make a positive impact on others, and never give up in the face of challenges. Menelik II believed in the transformative power of education. He understood that knowledge empowers individuals and communities, enabling them to overcome challenges and create a better future. Maintaining unity and solidarity within a community or society is crucial for progress and prosperity.

Menelik II recognized that divisions and conflicts only weaken a nation, hindering its development. In our increasingly interconnected world, it is vital to celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity, and work together towards common goals. Menelik II believed that true leadership lies in selflessness and servitude. Achieving success requires patience and perseverance, as Menelik II understood well.

It is through persistent effort and determination that great accomplishments are realized. In our fast-paced world, it is important to remember that success is not immediate, but rather the result of consistent and dedicated work. Menelik II recognized the interconnectedness of justice and believed that injustice in any part of the world poses a threat to justice everywhere.

He understood the importance of standing up against oppression, inequality, and discrimination. Today, it is essential to be aware of the struggles faced by others and to actively work towards creating a more just and equitable world for all. A society that prioritizes the well-being and support of its weakest members demonstrates true compassion and humanity.

Menelik II understood the inevitability of change and the need to adapt. He recognized that societies and individuals must be willing to embrace change and adjust their perspectives and practices accordingly. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In This Article. Best Menelik II Quotes.