Menelik II

1844--1913, emperor of Abyssinia (1889--1910). He defeated the Italians at Aduwa (1896), maintaining the independence of Abyssinia in an era of European expansion in Africa

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Menelik II

Born Aug. 17, 1844, in Ankober, in the province of Shoa; died Dec. 22, 1913, in Addis Ababa. Emperor of Ethiopia from 1889.

Menelik completed the centralization of the state begun by Theodore II and John IV. Crushing feudal separatism in Gojam, Amhara, and Tigre, he created a unified Ethiopian state and skillfully exploited the intense rivalry between Britain, Italy, and France to preserve Ethiopia’s independence. His government sponsored the construction of roads and the development of trade. In his reign a regular army was created, a national currency introduced, a hospital built, and the first state supported school founded. Menelik also sought to strengthen large-scale private landownership. Illness forced him to withdraw from state affairs in 1909.

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References in periodicals archive

Caption: Below: The equestrian statue of Emperor Menelik II rears over the skyline of Addis Ababa as the construction of the city continues unabated

A tale of three cities: Three cities, two in Africa, one in Europe, demonstrate the often wide gulf between urban cultures and priorities and those of the areas surrounding them

In this regard I have no doubt that it is not difficult for any of us here to imagine the courage and determination which drove the leaders of the Ethiopian national army, led by Emperor Menelik II, Empress Taitu and others, as they led the successful struggle to defeat the encroachment of Italian colonialism and therefore defend the independence of Ethiopia.

Address of the Patron of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Thabo Mbeki (pictured above) in Commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of the Battle of Adwa at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia March 4, 2017

The study was conducted at the glaucoma clinic of Menelik II Hospital (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) using a cross-sectional study design.

The Impact of Adherence and Instillation Proficiency of Topical Glaucoma Medications on Intraocular Pressure

The study was conducted at Menelik II Referral Hospital, governmental hospital found in capital city of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.

Improving Completeness of Inpatient Medical Records in Menelik II Referral Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Pattern of ocular injuries seen at Menelik II Hospital, A.A Ethiopia.

Visual outcome in patients of ocular trauma in tertiary care hospital, Uttarakhand

The Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) can trace its history back to 1909 and was the first attempt of its kind to promote trade and agriculture during the reign of Emperor Menelik II. Nowadays it focuses on the country's economic development by providing medium and long-term investment credits as wll as short-term loans along with technical assistance to viable projects.

ETHIOPIA: PRIVATE BANKS MAKE HAY BUT FOREIGN BANKS STILL SHUT OUT

In the heart of Addis Ababa, the statue of 19th century Emperor Menelik II, stands watch over construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT), part of Ethiopia's grand plan to create a national railway infrastructure for the 21st century.

China snatches rail contract from slack UK

The revered nineteenth century ruler Menelik II was reputed to have ordered three electric chairs to execute criminals.

God's goons

A modest attempt was made by Emperor Menelik II (1889-1913) to open the first school in his palace (Teshome, 1979: 28; Pankhrust, 1968: 676).

Education in Ethiopia: past, present and future prospects

The city has grown at an astonishing speed to four million people since it was founded in 1886, when Emperor Menelik II had his palace built here.

Road to Ethiopia

Above all, due to the resistance of the Ethiopian Emperors (such as Tewodros, Yohannes IV, Menelik II) towards the foreign influx of religious values, the establishment of a Protestant church in Ethiopia was not possible until the 20th century.

Clash of ideologies and survival of evangelical movement in Ethiopia