Famous Ethiopian Historical Personalities

Haile Selassie, served his country, Ethiopia, as its regent from 1916 to 1930 and as its emperor from 1930 to 1974. He introduced the first Ethiopian constitution, abolished slavery, chaired the Organisation of African Unity, and helped Ethiopia enter the UN. He inspired the Rastafari movement, too.

Menelik II reigned as the emperor of Ethiopia from 1889 to 1913 after ruling as the king of Shewa from 1866 to 1889. He is credited with transforming the Ethiopian Empire by expanding his kingdom into Wolayta, Sidama, and Kaffa kingdoms. Fascinated by modernity, Menelik II played a major role in modernizing Ethiopia.

Tewodros II of Ethiopia reigned as the Emperor of Ethiopia from 11 February 1855 until his demise on 13 April 1868. An important and influential ruler, Tewodros hold an important place in Ethiopian history. Many plays, books, songs, and art works have been influenced by the life of Tewodros II of Ethiopia.

Zewditu, a 20th-century Ethiopian empress and the eldest daughter of King Menelik of Shewa, scripted history as the first female head of an internationally recognized African state. She was also the first and last empress regnant of Ethiopia. It’s widely believed, she died of shock 2 days after her husband’s death in battle.

Menen Asfaw ruled as an empress consort of Ethiopia, as the wife of Emperor Haile Selassie. Born into the noble family of Asfaw, Jantirar of Ambassel, she apparently had 3 marriages before she got married to Haile Selassie. She proved to be a trusted advisor to Selassie till her death.

Known as one of the most influential emperors of Ethiopia, Yohannes IV spent most of his reign in conflict with invaders from Egypt, Italy, and Sudan. He also had a political agreement with Menilek II, his most significant rival. He died in the Battle of Metema, while invading Sudan.

Taytu Betul reigned as the Empress of Ethiopia from 10 May 1889 to 12 December 1913. She is credited with co-founding the city of Addis Ababa along with her husband in 1886. As the wife of Emperor Menelik II, Taytu Betul wielded considerable political power. In fact, the emperor always consulted Taytu Betul before making important decisions. 

Dejazmatch Alemayehu Tewodros was the son and heir of Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia who committed-suicide following his defeat by the British. According to the Emperor’s wishes, Alemayehu came under British care. He lost his mother on their way to England. Queen Victoria subsidised his education, however the orphan prince eventually grew lonely, contracted pleurisy and died at just 18. 

Fasilides, also known as Alam Sagad, was a 17th-century emperor of Ethiopia who belonged to the Solomonic dynasty. As soon as he came to power, he dismissed Catholic missionaries and relied on Muslim rulers of the coastal regions to terminate all contact with the European powers.

Sahle Selassie, a noted Amhara noble of Ethiopia, was proclaimed Ras and Meridazmach of Shewa in a turn-of-events following murder of his father Wossen Seged, a Meridazmach of Shewa. A strong, progressive and kind hearted ruler, Sahle ruled for over three-decades (1813 to 1847) and made several reforms including in criminal law and administration, and worked on modernizing his country.   

Emperor of Ethiopia Amda Seyon I is most-famous in his chronicles as a valiant warrior against the Muslims and is often regarded as founder of the Ethiopian state. During his rule (1314-44), Amda mostly waged wars against the Muslim kingdoms to the southeast and thrived in expanding both Ethiopian territory and power in the region through conquests of Muslim borderlands.

Eleni of Ethiopia was an empress by her marriage to Emperor Zara Yaqob of Ethiopia. She was also a skilled political strategist and diplomat who largely led to the arrival of the Portuguese in Ethiopia and the Ethiopian-Portuguese military cooperation against the Turks. She repaired many churches and oversaw many religious translations.

Tiruwork Wube reigned as the empress consort of Ethiopia by her marriage to Emperor Tewodros II, who was once a rival of Tiruwork’s father, Dejazmatch Wube, with regard to the throne of Ethiopia. She came under British protection after the defeat and suicide of her husband.

Ethiopian slave Abū al-Misk Kāfūr initially worked for Ikshīdid dynasty founder Muḥammad ibn Ṭughj, who later promoted him to a military officer. Kāfūr had successful campaigns in Syria and the Hejaz. He eventually became the wazir of Egypt and reigned as its de facto ruler after Muḥammad’s death.

The son of the Sahle Selassie, the king of Shewa, Darge Sahle Selassie was an able general. He later became the governor of Shewa and an advisor to his nephew, Menelik II, or Sahle Maryam, the emperor of Ethiopia. He also often served as a regent in the emperor’s absence.

Medferiashwork Abebe was the Empress consort of Ethiopia as she was married to Amha Selassie, Emperor-in-exile of Ethiopia. She is credited with organizing a counter attack to oppose the attempted 1960 Ethiopian coup d'etat against Emperor Haile Selassie.