Menilek Ii

Menilek II, detail of an oil painting by Paul Buffet, 1897; in the Senate Palace, Paris. [Credit: J.E. Bulloz]

17, 1844, Ankober, Shewa, Eth.—died Dec. 12, 1913, Addis Ababa) King of the semi-independent state of Shewa, or Shoa (1865–89), and emperor of Ethiopia (1889–1913). Captured and imprisoned for 10 years after his father, King Malakot of Shewa, was deposed by Tewodros II, he escaped in 1865 and returned to Shewa to assume the title of negus (king). On the death of Emperor Yohannes IV (r. 1872–89), he ascended to the Ethiopian throne, taking his crown name from Menilek I, legendary son of Solomon and the queen of Sheba. When Italy sought to make Ethiopia a protectorate, Menilek roundly defeated its forces at the Battle of Adwa (1896). In later years he expanded the empire, initiated modern educational programs, and built up the country's infrastructure.