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Menelik (a son of the Israel King Salomon and the Queen of Sheba) founded
the Ethiopian Empire, stated by a legend.
The image above, shows the Emperor Menelik II. Artist (origin) as well as the purpose is unknown. Nevertheless, it informs people of how Menelik looked like in the past to give the audience a picture of him. The wrinkles drawn in his face either suggests the artist viewed him as a wise or old man. It would have been nice to see a 'full-body' image of him to analyze his appearance further e.g. clothing.
The Ethiopian Empire was a Jewish kingdom and was ruled until about 980 AD named Menelik Kingdom. Later on the Zagwe and the Salomnic Dynasty took over. [2] Starting in March 1, 1896 (in the time of the rule of the Salomnic Dynasty), the Ethiopian country started to have conflicts with Italy (First Italo–Ethiopian War, Battle of Adwa). The military clashes of the Italian army and the forces of King Menelik II in north-central Ethiopia ended up in an Ethiopian victory. [3] The reason for this war started when the Italians tried to cheat Menelik by creating two versions of the treaty of Wichale, which were signed in 1889. Article 17, in this treaty stated, in the Italian version:
The image above, shows the Emperor Menelik II. Artist (origin) as well as the purpose is unknown. Nevertheless, it informs people of how Menelik looked like in the past to give the audience a picture of him. The wrinkles drawn in his face either suggests the artist viewed him as a wise or old man. It would have been nice to see a 'full-body' image of him to analyze his appearance further e.g. clothing.
The Ethiopian Empire was a Jewish kingdom and was ruled until about 980 AD named Menelik Kingdom. Later on the Zagwe and the Salomnic Dynasty took over. [2] Starting in March 1, 1896 (in the time of the rule of the Salomnic Dynasty), the Ethiopian country started to have conflicts with Italy (First Italo–Ethiopian War, Battle of Adwa). The military clashes of the Italian army and the forces of King Menelik II in north-central Ethiopia ended up in an Ethiopian victory. [3] The reason for this war started when the Italians tried to cheat Menelik by creating two versions of the treaty of Wichale, which were signed in 1889. Article 17, in this treaty stated, in the Italian version:
“The Emperor consents to use the Italian government for all the business he does with all the other Powers or Governments.”
However reading differently in the Amharic version it said:
“The Emperor has the option to communicate with the help of the Italian government for all matters that he wants with the kings of Europe.”
Menelik rejected the treaty (along with the gratuities) as he found out that he has been tricked. By confronting the Italians, Menelik angered Rome who ordered General Oreste Bartieri to take revenge. The reason for the victory of the Ethiopians was the underestimation of their forces. Bartieri could only come up with 25,000 men, while Menelik had 196,000 men of which 50% where armed with modern rifles. General Bartieri retreated to Adigrat when he realized that he was outnumbered. The following offer of negotiation from Menelik infuriated the Romans additionally. When the battle of Adwa (also written Adowa) ended 289 Italian officers, 2,918 European soldiers, and about 2,000 Eritreans have died. Britain and France reacted by creating treaties with Ethiopia because of their "New-found" Respect. Following on to the victory, in 1930 Haile Selassie I took over the power of Ethiopia (new emperor) and following to the modernization, Ethiopia joined the League of Nations (being the first Nation from Africa).
This victory of the Battle of Adwa made Ethiopia a symbol of freedom, which raised the status for this African Country, worldwide. [4] However, the raised status and power of the Ethiopian Empire made it a 'prime-target' for the Italian vision of creating a greater, stronger and bigger empire. [5] Today, Ethiopia is one of the oldest independent countries in the world, and the oldest in Africa. [6]
[1] Emperor
Menelik. Imperialethiopia. Web. 1 Mar.
2014. <http://www.imperialethiopia.org/history3.htm>.
[2] "African Kingdoms." Kingdoms of East Africa. N.p., 02 Jan. 1999. Web. 2 Mar. 2014.
[2] "African Kingdoms." Kingdoms of East Africa. N.p., 02 Jan. 1999. Web. 2 Mar. 2014.
[3] The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Battle of Adwa (Italy-Ethiopia [1896])." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 2 Mar. 2014.
[4] "Ethiopia Wins the Battle of Adwa." Welcome To The Black Box, Personal Narratives in High Definition. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.
[5] Henze, Paule B. "Ethiopia - A Brief History." Ethioembassy. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http://www.ethioembassy.org.uk/fact%20file/a-z/history.htm>.
[6] "Ethiopia Facts." Ethiopia Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Mar. 2014. <http://www.compassion.com/about/where/ethiopia.htm>.
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