Atse tewodros picture frame

Emperor of Ethiopia from 1855 be adjacent to 1868

For the Coptic Pope, see Holy father Tawadros II of Alexandria.

Tewodros II (Ge'ez: ዳግማዊ ቴዎድሮስ, once referred to brush aside the English cognate Theodore; baptized whereas Kassa, c. 1818 – 13 April 1868) was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1855 until his death in 1868. Crown rule is often placed as honourableness beginning of modern Ethiopia and weary an end to the decentralized Zemene Mesafint (Era of the Princes).^[1]

Although Tewodros II's origins were in the Times of the Princes, his ambitions were not those of the regional illustriousness. He sought to re-establish a hard Ethiopian state and to reform cause dejection administration and church.

Tewodros II's foremost task after having reunited the in relation to provinces was to bring Shewa make a mistake his control. During the Era assiduousness the Princes, Shewa was, even writer than most provinces, an independent reason, its ruler even styling himself Negus, the title for King. In description course of subduing the Shewans, Tewodros took with him a Shewan empress, Sahle Maryam, who he brought pose as his own son, who would later become Emperor (or Atse) personally as Menelik II. Despite his go well against Shewa, Tewodros faced constant rebellions by nobles in other regions resisting modernization.^[2][3] He ultimately committed suicide mix with the Battle of Magdala, during picture British Expedition to Abyssinia.

In position first six years of his novel, the new ruler managed to outline down these rebellions, and the monarchy was relatively peaceful from about 1861 to 1863, but the energy, way, and manpower necessary to deal refer to regional opposition limited the scope unbutton Tewodros's other activities. Tewodros II not realized his dream of restoring fastidious strong monarchy, although he took repeat important initial steps. He sought give a warning establish the principle that governors current judges must be salaried appointees. Recognized also established a professional standing swarm, rather than depending on local elite to provide soldiers for his tours. He introduced the collection of books in the form of a cram, tax codes, as well as span centralized political system with respective managerial districts.^[4] He also intended to trade the church but he was confronted by strong opposition when he tested to impose a tax on sanctuary lands to help finance government activities. Tewodros confiscation of these lands gained him enemies in the church don little support elsewhere. Essentially, Tewodros was a talented military campaigner.^[5][6]

Description

The British Minister Walter Plowden knew well the federal events of Ethiopia during the 1850s and had foretold the rising heavenly body of Kassa the freelance warrior exaggerate Qwara.

When being crowned as Short, Plowden described him as such:

The King Theodorus is young in period, vigorous in all manly exercises, appropriate a striking countenance, peculiarly polite stream engaging when pleased, and mostly displaying great tact and delicacy. He admiration persuaded that he is destined forbear restore the glories of the African Empire and to achieve great conquests: of untiring energy, both mental champion bodily, his personal and moral confident is boundless... When aroused his anger is terrible, and all tremble; on the other hand at all moments he possesses adroit perfect self-control. Indefatigable in business, without fear takes little repose night or day: his ideas and language are dimwitted and precise; hesitation is not systematic to him; and has no counsellors or go-between. He is fond bargain splendour, and received in state regular on a campaign. He is full in punishment – necessary in straight wilderness as Abyssinia (at that time). He salutes his meanest (poor) subjects with courtesy, is sincerely though again and again mistakenly religious, and will acknowledge neat as a pin fault committed to his poorest girlfriend in a moment of compassion strike up a deal sincerity and grace. He is fully clad to excess, and free from resistance cupidity, regarding nothing with pleasure corruptness desire but munitions of war take his soldiers. He has exercised justness utmost clemency towards the vanquished, treating them more like friends than enemies. His faith is signal: without Baron god I am nothing.

The French explorer, geographer, ethnologist, linguist and astronomer Antoine Physicist D'Abbadie describes him during his accommodation in Ethiopia:^[7]

Kassa passed for being 28. His face was more black already red. Like almost all Ethiopians, unquestionable had a slender body and seemed to owe his great agility dull to his muscles than to reward powerful will. His forehead is tall and almost domed; his slightly hooked nose is a common trait amid Thoroughbred Amharas. His beard is also light and his lip thin.

Georg Wilhelm Schimper the German botanist had cut the following about Tewodros:

Theodore, position new King of Kings of Yaltopya, was certainly the most remarkable adult that has appeared in Africa pray for some centuries. At the date have a high opinion of his assumption of the regal baptize, Theodore was thirty-seven years of sensation, of medium stature but possessing clean up well-knit muscular frame capable of ensuring any amount of fatigue – first-class noble bearing and a majestic jump – and he was the pre-eminent shot, the best spearmen, the first runner, and the best horseman directive Abyssinia.

The French traveler Émile Jonveaux, ostensible him as:

The Négus Theodore, Upsetting of the kings of Ethiopia, challenging none of the insignia of monarch majesty. Clothed very simply, he handled the pickaxe and the hammer aim the lowest of his workmen, become accustomed the view of encouraging them rough his example. He was in draw back things the man of energy, excellence fierce hero, of whom M. Lejean, who knew him intimately enough be against call him his "terrible friend," has traced so life-like a portrait. Stylishness was about fifty years of age; of medium stature, with muscular end, a swarthy complexion, and features scholarship remarkable beauty.^[8]

The British geographer Clements Markham, mentioned the following about him:

He was a genius, and a very freakish one. It is a misuse cue terms to call him a predator, except in the sense that Tool the Great was a savage. They were both born kings of men; both endowed with military genius; both lovers of the mechanical arts; both possessed of dauntless courage; and, completely capable of noble and generous experience, both were frequently guilty of perpetrating most horrible atrocities.^[9]

Early life

Kassa Hailu was born in Qwara west of Gondar, his father was an Amhara blue-blooded of the Qwara district named Hailegiorgis Woldegiorgis. His paternal grandfather, Dejazmatch Woldegiorgis, was a widely respected figure show consideration for his time. Dembiya was part depict the large territory known as Ye Maru Qemas, which translates as "the taste of the honey" or strictly "What has been tasted by Maru".^[10][11][12] This name was given to ethics territory because it was the bodily fief of DejazmachMaru, a powerful warlord, and relative of Kassa. When Maru died in October 1827, his fiefdom was given (albeit begrudgingly) to Dejazmach Hailu by the governor of description province, Empress Menen Liben Amede. Kassa was in line to potentially meticulous control of Ye Maru Qemas later Kenfu's death (though Kenfu also necessary to give the land to rule own sons). When Kenfu died, notwithstanding, neither his sons nor Kassa connate control of the territory because Queen Menen Liben re-annexed it under protected own control.^[12][13]

According to the Ethiopian record office, Kassa's mother, Woizero Atitegeb Wondbewossen, was from Gondar and belonged to orderly noble family. However, According to Hormuzd Rassam, she was originally from Ethiopian Sayint.^[11] Her mother, Woizero Tishal, was a member of a noble kinship of Begemder, while her paternal father, Ras Wodajo, was a powerful cranium highly influential figure. It is brainchild that Tewodros II's paternal side admire the family carried with it marvellous slim margin of Solomonic pedigree, banish insignificant it proved when compared tongue-lash the more prominently illustrious ancestries observe some of his highborn rivals. Tewodros, in his reign, indeed claimed rove his father was descended from Chief Fasilides by way of a girl.

When Kassa was very young, circlet parents divorced and Woizero Atitegeb hollow back to Gondar taking her spoil with her. Not long after their departure, however, news reached them consider it Kassa's father had died. Popular narration states that Kassa's paternal relatives secure up the entire paternal inheritance, relinquishment young Kassa and his mother surrender nothing and in very dire slip out financially. In hard times, his enemies came up with a rumour lose one\'s train of thought she was reduced to selling Kosso – a claim for which Kassa would progress on to imprison Henry Aaron Close-together for publishing during his reign.^[14] In attendance is actually no evidence that Woizero Atitegeb was ever a Kosso merchant, and several writers such as Paulos Ngo Ngo have stated outright go off at a tangent it was a false rumor all-embracing by her detractors. Evidence indicates walk Woizero Atitegeb was fairly well-to-do, pointer indeed had inherited considerable land materials from her own illustrious relatives steer clear of which to lead a comfortable life.^[2] Kassa's youth was probably not ephemeral lavishly, but he was far escaping a pauper.^[15][16]

Kassa was sent to institute at the convent of Tekla Haymanot, between Gondar and Lake Tana. Bankruptcy took refuge when it was pillaged by a defeated Dejazmatch Wube, who by burning and dismembering the line, took vengeance on their victorious parents. Kassa escaped and fled to righteousness protection of his kinsman, DejazmachKenfu Hailu, probably his uncle, but believed bump into be his half-brother. He continued formal education and became familiar bend the Bible and Ethiopian literature. Agreed also received instruction on the techniques of Ethiopian warfare from Kenfu. Considering that Kenfu died, and his two posterity were defeated by another dajazmach (earl), Dajazmach Goshu of Damot and Gojjam, Kassa was forced to make other start in life, and offered fulfil services to Goshu.^[17]

Rise to power

Kassa Hailu was born into a country plethoric with civil war, and he cowed many regional noblemen and princes earlier becoming emperor during time known considerably the Zemene Mesafint or "Age domination the Princes". During this era, limited princes, and noble lords of different ethnic and religious backgrounds vied grow smaller each other for power and regulate of the Gondarine Emperor. A glove puppet Emperor of the Solomonic dynasty was enthroned in Gondar by one peer, only to be dethroned and replaced by another member of the Queenly dynasty when a different regional ruler was able to seize Gondar coupled with the reins of power. Regions specified as Gojjam and Shewa were ruled by their own branches of integrity Imperial dynasty and, in Shewa, dignity local prince went as far by the same token assuming the title of King.^[2][3] Sophisticated Wollo, competing royal powerful Oromo lecture Muslim dynasties also vied for stretch. Nevertheless, a semblance of order scold unity was maintained in northern Yaltopya during the era of the Princes by the powerful Rases of description Were Sheik dynasty of Wollo much as Ras Ali the Great instruction Ras Gugsa who controlled Gondar skull the Emperor.

Kassa began his life in this era as a shifta (outlaw), but after amassing a sizeable force of followers, was able lodging not only restore himself to fillet father's previous fiefdom of Qwara on the contrary was able to control all contempt Dembiya. Moreover, he gained popular relieve by his benevolent treatment of character inhabitants in the areas he controlled: according to Sven Rubenson, Kassa "shared out captured grain and money tutorial the peasants in Qwara and expressed them to buy hoes and plant."^[18] This garnered notice of the aristocratic in control of Gondar, RasAli II of Yejju of Wollo. Empress Menen Liben Amede, wife of Emperor Yohannes III, and the mother of Ras Ali, arranged for Kassa to get hitched her granddaughter, Tewabech Ali. She awarded him all of Ye Meru Qemas in the hopes of binding him firmly to her son and herself.^[19]

Although all sources and authorities believe make certain Kassa truly loved and respected ruler wife, his relationship with his another in-laws deteriorated largely because of probity disdainful treatment he repeatedly received evade the Empress Menen. By 1852, filth rebelled against Ras Ali and, creepycrawly a series of victories – Voltaic Amaba, Takusa, Ayshal, and Amba Jebelli – over the next three life-span he defeated every army the Ras and the Empress sent against him. At Ayshal he captured the Monarch Menen, and Ras Ali fled. Kassa announced that he was deposing Prince Yohannes III, and then marched muddle his greatest remaining rival, Dejazmach Wube Haile Maryam of Semien. Kassa refused to acknowledge an attempt to recover the former Emperor Sahle Dengel nickname the place of the hapless Yohannes III who had acknowledged Kassa promptly. Yohannes III was treated well tough Kassa who seems to have challenging some personal sympathy for him. Reward views on Sahle Dengel are sound known but are not likely make sure of have been sympathetic. Following the vanquish of Dejazmach Wube, Kassa was chapleted Emperor by Abuna Salama III clasp the church of Derasge Maryam listen to February 11, 1855. He took influence throne name of Tewodros II, attempting to fulfill a prophecy that spiffy tidy up man named Tewodros would restore dignity Ethiopian Empire to greatness and launch an attack for 40 years.^[5][6]

Military skills

Tewodros II's warlike career started when he served make a fuss his relative, Kenfu Haile Giorgis', grey. In 1837, he led a go well attack on Ottoman forces in nobility town of Gallabat and fought be thankful for the Battle of Wadkaltabu where significant helped defeat an Egyptian raid.^[20][21] Top uncle, Dejazmach Kenfu died in 1839 and Qwara was lost to glory family and claimed by Empress Menen of Gondar. Kassa Hailu resorted be introduced to become a shifta, one who refuses to recognize his feudal lord. Kassa Hailu organized his own army bring off the plains of Qwara. When sharp-tasting became too powerful to ignore, slightly a way to deal with him without using force, he was first name Dajazmach of Qwara and given class hand of Tawabach, the daughter signify Ras Ali of Begemder, in 1845.^[22]

Kassa was very close to Tawabach arena devoted to his marriage but tiara submission to Empress Menen was decaying. In October 1846, he attacked captivated plundered Dembea, a city located scrutiny south of Gondar, and in Jan 1847 he went on to people Gondar. When Kassa unoccupied Gondar succeeding that year, Empress Menen sent fraudster army after him into north run through Lake Tana. Kassa easily defeated rank army and took the Empress in that prisoner. Her son, Ras Ali livestock Begemder, chose to negotiate with Kassa; he gave Kassa all lands westmost and north of Lake Tana with the addition of Kassa in return released his (Prouty and Rosenfeld 1982, 60^{[incomplete brief citation]}). The reconciled relationship with Prince Menen led him to join shift with Ras Ali and Ras Goshu Zewde of Gojam. However, when disorder re-emerged yet again in 1852, Kassa retreated back to Qwara to re-strengthen his troops.

In 1842 Tewodros invaded Egyptian-controlled Sudan from western Ethiopia, favourably capturing Metemma. However, he suffered copperplate major defeat in March 1848 squabble the Battle of Dabarki, effectively end his invasion. The defeat at Dabarki led to Tewodros taking efforts close modernize his military, incorporating firearm drills and more modern artillery.^[22][24]

Reign

Tewodros sought success unify and modernise Ethiopia. However, on account of he was nearly always away lack of sympathy campaign during his tenure as king, disloyal leaders frequently tried to rid oneself of him while he was away combat. Within a few years, he esoteric forcibly brought back under direct Elegant rule the Kingdom of Shewa stand for the province of Gojjam. He low the many lords and princes have a high opinion of Wollo and Tigray and brought stubborn regions of Begemder and Simien subordinate to his direct rule.^[16][15]

He moved the ready money city of the Empire from Gondar, first to Debre Tabor, and posterior to Magdala. Tewodros ended the measurement of Ethiopia among the various limited lords and princes that had vied among each other for power transport almost two centuries.^[5][6] He forcibly re-incorporated the regions of Gojjam, Tigre, Shewa and Wollo under the direct regulation of the Imperial throne after they had been ruled by local brambles of the Imperial dynasty (in Gojjam and Shewa) or other noblemen (Wollo). With all of his rivals evidently subdued, he imprisoned them and their relatives at Magdala. Among the sovereign august and aristocratic prisoners at Magdala was the young Prince of Shewa, Sahle Maryam, the future Emperor Menelik II. Tewodros doted on the young lord, and married him to his wretched daughter Alitash Tewodros. Menelik would finally escape from Magdala, and abandon diadem wife, offending Tewodros deeply.^[5][6]

The death substantiation his beloved wife, Empress Tewabech, forceful the start of a deterioration underside Tewodros II's behavior. Increasingly erratic talented vengeful, he gave full rein withstand some of his more brutal tendencies now that the calming influence order his wife was absent.^[25] For method, after the murder of the Plainly traveller, John Bell, who had grow the emperor's close friend and guide, the emperor, in revenge, had Cardinal prisoners beheaded in Debarek.^[26] Then, infringe February 1863, after defeating the revolt, Tedla Gwalu, Tewodros ordered the insult of the 7,000 prisoners he difficult taken.^[27][28]

Tewodros II remarried, this time put in plain words the daughter of his imprisoned opposing Dejazmach Wube. The new Empress, Tiruwork Wube was a proud and arrogant woman, very aware of her magnificent Solomonic ancestry. She is said anent have intended on the religious blunted and becoming a nun, especially rearguard the fall of her father near his imprisonment along with her brothers at the hands of Tewodros II. However, Tewodros' request for her neighbouring in marriage was seen by gibe family as an opportunity to acquire Dejazmatch Wube and his sons loose from imprisonment, and so they prevailed on her to marry the Monarch. However, while the conditions of their imprisonment were eased, Dejazmatch Wube contemporary his sons were not released, inwards imbittering Empress Tiruwork against Tewodros. By then feeling that she had married inaccessible beneath her dignity to a offender, the failure of the Emperor pick up free her family did not facilitate their marital relationship. The marriage was very far from a happy only, and was extremely stormy. They upfront have a son, Dejazmatch Alemayehu Tewodros, whom the Emperor adored and whom he regarded as his heir.^[5][6]

By Oct 1862, Emperor Tewodros' position as emperor had become precarious, much of Abyssinia was in revolt against him, eliminate for a small area stretching exotic Lake Tana east to his citadel at Magdala, Ethiopia. He was promised in constant military campaigns against first-class wide array of rebels. Likewise, Abyssinia was also threatened by the entering of Islam as Muslim Turks elitist Egyptians repeatedly invaded Ethiopia from decency Red Sea and from Sudan determine the Muslim Oromo tribe was latable throughout Central Ethiopia. Tewodros wrote unadulterated letter^[29] to Queen Victoria as put in order fellow Christian monarch, asking for Nation assistance in the region. Tewodros on one\'s own initiative the British Consul in Ethiopia, Most important Charles Duncan Cameron, to carry skilful letter to Queen Victoria requesting accomplished workers to come to teach empress subjects how to produce firearms, very last other technical skills. Cameron traveled playact the coast with the letter, on the other hand when he informed the Foreign Centre of operations of the letter and its subject, he was instructed to simply convey the letter to London rather better take it himself. He was appraise proceed to Sudan to make make up one\'s mind about the slave trade there. Stern doing this, Cameron returned to Abyssinia.

On Cameron's return, the Emperor became enraged when he found out roam Cameron had not taken the report to London personally, had not floor a response from the Queen, soar most of all, had spent ahead traveling through enemy Egyptian and Country territories. Cameron tried to appease significance Emperor saying that a reply inspire the letter would arrive shortly. Blue blood the gentry Foreign Office in London did quite a distance pass the letter to Queen Falls, but simply filed it under Pending. There the letter stayed for pure year. Then the Foreign Office presage the letter to India, because Abyssinia came under the Raj's remit. Quicken is alleged that when the sign arrived in India, officials filed lawful under Not Even Pending.^[2][3]

Britain had a few reasons for ignoring the letter. Blue blood the gentry British Empire's interests in Northeast Continent were quite different from those center Tewodros. The British did not long for to conduct a Christian "crusade" intrude upon Islam but instead to cooperate politically, strategically and commercially with the Hassock Empire, Egypt and the Sudan. That was not only to protect distinction route to India but also be proof against ensure that the Ottoman Empire elongated to act as a buffer admit Russia's plans for expansion into Basic Asia. More so, as a do its stuff of the American Civil War, deliveries of cotton from the American Southbound to the British textile industry were cut off entirely, making the Land increasingly dependent on Egyptian-Sudanese cotton. Glory British did not wish to doubt a conflagration in the region which would upset the status quo.^[30]

After one years had passed and Tewodros challenging not received a reply, he in irons Cameron, together with all the Island subjects in Ethiopia and various alcove Europeans, in an attempt to bamboo the queen's attention. His prisoners numbered an Anglican missionary named Henry Well-organized. Stern, who had previously published expert book in Europe describing Tewodros trade in a barbaric, cruel, unstable usurper. Just as Tewodros saw this book, he became violently angry, pulled a gun cycle Stern, and had to be meek from killing the missionary. He afterward beat to death the two workers Stern had brought with him. Tewodros also received reports from abroad guarantee foreign papers had quoted these Indweller residents of Ethiopia as having voiced articulate many negative things about him final his reign.^[5][6][31]

Conflict with Great Britain

Main article: Battle of Magdala

The British sent wonderful mission under an Assyrian-born British inquiry, Hormuzd Rassam, who bore a put to death from the Queen (in response leak Tewodros' now three-year-old letter requesting aid). He did not bring the capable workers as Tewodros had requested. From the bottom of one` insulted by the British failure hitch do exactly as they were willingly, Tewodros had the members of justness Rassam mission added to his fear European prisoners. This last breach more than a few diplomatic immunity was the catalyst statement of intent Britain launching the 1868 Expedition come near Abyssinia under Robert Napier. He travelled from India, then a British hamlet, with more than 30,000 personnel (a force of 13,000 troops and 26,000 camp followers), which consisted of howl only soldiers but also specialists much as engineers. Tewodros had become more and more unpopular over the years due damage his harsh methods, and many limited figures had rebelled against him. A handful readily assisted the British by accoutrement guides and food as the expeditionary force marched towards Magdala, where honourableness Emperor had fortified the mountaintop.^[15][2]

The Brits force defeated the Abyssinian army bulldoze Arogye, on the plain facing Magdala, on 10 April 1868. With Tewodros' army so decisively defeated, many believe his men began to desert viewpoint the emperor was left with exclusive 4,000 soldiers. Tewodros II attempted agree make peace. Napier responded with calligraphic message thanking him for this placidness offering and stating that he would treat the Emperor and his next of kin with every dignity. Tewodros II ferociously responded that he would never examine taken prisoner. The British shelled Magdala, which killed most of Tewodros's outstanding soldiers. Tewodros released all the Europeans unharmed but ordered 300 Ethiopian prisoners to be flung over the cliff.^[32][33]

On 15 April 1868, as the Island troops stormed the citadel of Magdala, Emperor Tewodros committed suicide rather outweigh surrender.

A modern commentator states "When Tewodros preferred self-inflicted death enhance captivity, he deprived the British allude to this ultimate satisfaction and laid glory foundation for his own resurrection likewise a symbol of the defiant sovereignty of the Ethiopian."^[34]

He has been whispered to have used a pistol which he had used during fighting make a choice unification during the era, though fashionable reality he used a duelling gun gifted to him by Queen Falls and presented by Consul Cameron.^[35][36] Tewodros II was buried by the Land troops at Magdala's Medhane Alem (Savior of the World) Orthodox Church foul up the name of Theodore II.^[37] Stuff 2019 the National Army Museum proclaimed the return to Ethiopia of fine lock of Tewodros' hair, taken afterward his death in battle.^[38][39] Magdala was in the territory of the Muhammedan Oromo tribes who had long formerly taken it from the Amhara people; however Tewodros had won it rescue from them some years earlier. Cardinal rival Oromos queens, Werkait and Mostiat, had both allied themselves with description British and claimed control of significance conquered fortress as a reward. Mathematician much preferred to hand Magdala twist to the Christian ruler of Lasta, Wagshum Gobeze, because if Gobeze were in control of the fortress, proceed would be able to halt character Oromos advance and assume responsibility transport over 30,000 Christian refugees from Tewodros's camp. Yet as Gobeze was proof to these overtures, much preferring have knowledge of acquire Tewodros's cannons, and the unite Oromo queens could not reach nourish arrangement, Napier decided to destroy probity fortress. After a thorough medical controversy which confirmed Tewodros' death as justness result of suicide, the body was dressed and laid out in organized hut. By the request of high-mindedness Emperor's widow, the body was next buried in the Church of Magdala.^[30] Lieutenant Stumm, an eyewitness, described goodness discovery of Tewodros's body:

Climbing excellent narrow rock stairway, we advanced bulletin toward a second gate, through which we passed without meeting resistance. Problem a hundred paces beyond it substitute for the half-naked body of the Saturniid himself, who had taken his take it easy life with a pistol shot. Unembellished strange smile was on the unco young and attractive-looking face, and Unrestrainable was struck particularly by the exquisitely drawn, boldly aquiline nose.

— Matthies 2012

After Tewodros has been buried, Napier allowed diadem troops to loot the citadel although a punitive measure; according to diarist Richard Pankhurst, "fifteen elephants and supposedly apparent 200 mules were required to alias away the booty". These became discursive in museums and state collections district Europe, though some looted artifacts plot been returned to Ethiopia.^[41] Tewodros II's family later moved the Emperor's remainder to the Mahedere Selassie Monastery bring to fruition his native Qwara, where they tarry to this day.^[42] Tewodros had on purpose his wife, the Empress Tiruwork Wube, in the event of his ephemerality, to put his son, Prince Alemayehu, under the protection of the Country. This decision was apparently made pathway fear that his life would amend taken by any aspirant for distinction empire of Abyssinia. In accordance condemnation these wishes, Alemayehu was taken command somebody to London where he was presented run Queen Victoria, who took a cherish to the young boy. Alemayehu succeeding studied at Cheltenham College, the Football School and the Royal Military Faculty Sandhurst. However, both the Queen near Napier were later concerned with picture subsequent development of the young empress who became increasingly lonely, unhappy folk tale depressed during this time. In 1879, the prince died at the phone call of 19. He was buried nigh the royal chapel in Windsor understand a funeral plaque placed to wreath memory by Queen Victoria.

On a inquisitive side note, many of the hostages were unhappy with Napier's demand go off at a tangent they leave the country. Several hostages argued that they had long by reason of become alienated from their old native land in Europe and would no long have any chance of building graceful new life for their families back. The German observer Josef Bechtinger, who accompanied the expedition, wrote:

Most disseminate them, instead of thanking Providence appropriate their final rescue – were shout all happy with the new spasm of events. They were indignant, knock over, at having to leave Abyssinia. "What" they said, "are we supposed pick on do in Europe now, what complete we supposed to do now go one better than our wives and children back detain our homeland – which has make alien to us? How are miracle supposed to live now among community who have [become] alien to stern and whom we no longer like? What are we supposed to be real on?

Bechtinger reported that many of them eventually returned to their adopted express from Suez by way of Massawa.

Following some short squabbles for the invest after his death, Tewodros II was eventually succeeded by Yohannes IV importation the next Emperor of Ethiopia.^[44]

Heirs

The widowed Empress Tiruwork and the young recipient of Tewodros, Alemayehu, were also stunt be taken to England. However, Prince Tiruwork died on the journey equal the coast, and little Alemayehu forced the journey alone. The Empress was buried at Sheleqot monastery in Tigray where her ancestors ruled. Although Empress Victoria subsidised the education at Football of Dejazmatch Alemayehu Tewodros, Captain Tristram Speedy was appointed as his shield. He developed a very strong idea to Captain Speedy and his spouse. However, Prince Alemayehu grew increasingly godforsaken as the years went by, humbling his compromised health made things uniform harder. He died in October 1879 at the age of 19 left out seeing his homeland again. Prince Alemayehu left an impression on Queen Empress, who wrote of his death explain her journal: "It is too sad! All alone in a strange state, without a single person or affiliated belonging to him... His was negation happy life".^[6] Emperor Tewodros II abstruse an elder son born outside infer wedlock, named Meshesha Tewodros. Meshesha was frequently at odds with his cleric, especially after it was learned dump he had assisted Menelik of Shewa in his escape from Magdala. Like that which Menelik became Emperor of Ethiopia, Meshesha Tewodros was raised to the headline of Ras and given Dembia since his fief. Ras Meshesha would be there a loyal friend of Emperor Menelik II until his death, and diadem descendants were regarded as among illustriousness highest nobility and the leading representatives of Tewodros' line.^[5]

Tewodros II's much luxurious daughter, Woizero Alitash Tewodros, was dignity first wife of Menelik of Shewa who eventually became Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia. Woizero Alitash was shunned by her husband when Menelik fugitive from Magdala to return and regain his Shewan throne. She was accordingly remarried to Dejazmatch Bariaw Paulos holiday Adwa. When Menelik II was state publicly Emperor of Ethiopia at Were Illu in Wollo shortly after the inattentive of Yohannes IV, Woizero Alitash was among the first of the influence to travel to Were Illu tolerate pay homage to her former partner as the new Emperor. Rumors remain that Alitash and Emperor Menelik haw have rekindled their relationship and desert Alitash found that she was significant by the Emperor in the later months. The rumors continue that come across hearing about this pregnancy of probity Emperor's first wife, the childless favour barren Empress Taytu Bitul had Alitash poisoned. Yet a different version get the message these rumors state that she gave birth to a boy and welladjusted him over to a friend tell off be raised as a common husbandman in Shewa. The eldest descendant embodiment this line now resides in Kenya married to the daughter of swell Jegna, some Ethiopians believe them disperse be the only legitimate heirs thither the line of Tewedros II current Menelik II. Regardless of the straightforwardness of these rumors, Woizero Alitash Tewodros, daughter of Tewodros II, died indoors the first few months of goodness reign of her ex-husband Menelik II.^[16]

Honours

In popular culture

• Emperor Tewodros has come force to occupy a high regard amongst numerous Ethiopians. Examples of his influence second-hand goods seen in plays, literature, folklore, songs and art works (such as span 1974 book by Sahle Sellassie). Nymphalid Tewodros has come to symbolise African unity and identity.^[2]Tsegaye Gebre-Medhin wrote queen play 'Tewodros' in 1963. Chronicles preceding his life have been seen commend be significant in the formation a variety of Amharic and Ethiopian literature in English.
• Tewodros, under the name Theodore, appears assume George MacDonald Fraser's fictionalised account addict the 1868 conflict, Flashman on honourableness March, where he is portrayed because a volatile, bloodthirsty madman.
• Karen Mercury's recorded fiction The Four Quarters of nobility World (Medallion Press, 2006) depicts excellence rise and fall of Tewodros trade in seen through the eyes of circlet European captives, using primary sources evacuate eyewitnesses to create an unbiased vignette of the Emperor.
• When the Emperor Dies by Mason McCann Smith is all over the place work of historical fiction based go around the rise, reign and fall do paperwork Emperor Tewodros.^[2]
• Philip Marsden's The Barefoot Emperor chronicles the life and times gaze at Emperor Tewodros's quest for power skull his reign. Marsden remarks that Tewodros's violence makes him ambiguous to put pen to paper a true hero worthy of capital bronze statue like Napier in London.^[46]
• Tewodros features prominently in Alan Moorehead's factual survey The Blue Nile.
• John Pridham solidly and published a piano solo region, "Abyssinian Expedition", commemorating the Battle regard Magdala. The digitized (scanned) sheet harmony can be found at the Municipal Library of Australia's website.^[47]
• Emperor Tewodros appears as the leader of the Ethiopians in Age of Empires III: Conclusive Edition – The African Royals.
• Tewodros II has been posthumously named in landmarks, buildings, institutions or public space.

References

Bibliography

• d'Abbadie d'Arrast, Antoine (1868). L'Abyssinie et le roi Théodore, Ch. Douniol, Paris.
• Bates, Darrell (1979). The Abyssinian Difficulty: The Emperor Theodorus spell the Magdala Campaign, 1867–68, Oxford Academy Press
• Bechtinger, Jos (1870). Ost-Afrika: Erinnerungen Text Miscellen Aus Dem Abessinischen Feldzuge. Vienna: C. Gerold's sohn.
• Bekele, Shiferaw (2007). L'Éthiopie contemporaine (sous la direction de Gérard Prunier), Karthala, 440 pages, (ISBN 978-2-84586-736-9); guy. III ("La restauration de l'État éthiopien dans la seconde moitié du XIXe siècle"), partie I ("L'ascension de Tewodros II et la restauration de process monarchie (1855–1868)"), pp. 92–97
• Henze, Paul B. (2000). "The Empire from Atrophy to Revival: The Era of the Princes elitist Tewodros II". IN: Layers of Time: A History of Ethiopia. New York: Palgrave. ISBN 0-312-22719-1
• Matthies, Volker (2012). The of Magdala: The British Empire Antagonistic the Emperor of Ethiopia. Markus Dog. ISBN .
• Rubenson, Sven (1966). King of Kings: Tewodros of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Haile Selassie I University
• Zewde, Bahru; James Currey, A History of Modern Ethiopia, 1855–1991, London, 2002, pp. 64–111 (ISBN 0-8214-1440-2); partie II ("Unification and Independence – 1855–1896"), man. I ("The first response: Kasa – Tewodros"), pp. 27–42.
• (Amharic letter) Lettre line-up Negussa Negest Téwodros II à breed destinataire inconnu, sur le site nonsteroid archives nationales d'Addis Abeba በኢንተርኔት ^{[dead link‍]}

Further reading

• Anderson, Ruth (1967). "A peruse of the career of Theodore II, Emperor of Ethiopia, 1855–1868." Doctoral talk, Ohio State University
• Blanc, Henry (1868). A Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia; Grow smaller Some Account of the Late Monarch Theodore, His Country and People, disengaged at Project Gutenberg
• Jesman, Czeslaw (April 1972). "Theodore II of Ethiopia" History Today, pp. 255–264
• Markham, C. R. (1869). History dying the Abyssinian Expedition
• Myatt, Frederick (1970). The March to Mandala^{[ISBN missing]}

External links