Professional Documents
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H
TAFARI MAKONEN (EMPEROR HAILE
SELASSIE I)
Published in:
In The Country of The Blue Nile
by C.F. Rey, F.R.G.S.,
Commander of the Order of the Star of Ethiopia
Negro University Press, New York
As you ask me to send you the names of the Ethiopian Kings and the
history of the Ethiopian Kings of Kings (Emperors), herewith I have
taken a copy and send it to you.
After the date of these, if you want more, I will write to you. I am very
glad that you have asked me about the history of Abyssinia. I hope that
your thoughts should be successful in future.”
Written on the 11th day of Sane, 1914 at the town of Addis Ababa
I. Ahywa (her regnal name was Sofya, and she was the mother of
Abreha Atsbeha. The time of her reign was 7 years).
II. Abreha Atsbeha (partly with his mother) 26 5832 332
III. Atsbeha (alone) 12 5844 344
IV. Asfeh Dalz 7 5851 351
V. Sahle 14 5865 365
VI. Arfed Gebra Maskal 4 5869 369
VII. Adhana I (Queen) 5 5874 374
VIII. Riti 1 5875 375
IX. Asfeh II 1 5876 376
X. Atsbeha II 5 5881 381
XI. Amey 15 5896 396
XII. Abreha II 7 months — –
XIII. Ilassahl 2 months — –
XIV. Elagabaz I 2 5898 398
XV. Suhal 4 5902 402
XVI. Abreha III 10 5912 412
XVII. Adhana II (Queen) 6 5918 418
XVIII. Yoab 10 5928 428
XIX. Tsaham I 2 5930 430
XX. Amey II 1 5931 431
XXI. Sahle Ahzob 2 5933 433
XXII. Tsebah Mahana Kristos 3 5936 436
XXIII. Tsaham II 2 5938 438
XXIV. Elagabaz II 6 5944 444
XXV. Agabi 1 5945 445
XXVI. Lewi 2 5947 447
XXVII. Ameda III 3 5950 450
XXVIII. Armah Dawit 14 5964 464
XXIX. Amsi 5 5969 469
XXX. Salayba 9 5978 478
XXXI. Alameda 8 5986 486
XXXII. Pazena Ezana 7 5993 493
Of the posterity of Sofya and Abreha Atsbeha until the reign of Pazena
Ezana 31 Sovereigns reigned over Ethiopia: from Ori until the reign of
Pazena Ezana 230 sovereigns.
I. Mara Takla Haymanot (His regnal name was Zagwe) 13 6433 933
II. Tatawdem 40 6473 973
III. Jan Seyum 40 6513 1013
IV. Germa Seyum 40 6553 1053
V. Yermrhana Kristos 40 6593 1093
VI. Kedus Arbe (samt) 40 6633 1133
VII. Lalibala 40 6673 1173
VIII. Nacuto Laab 40 6713 1213
IX. Yatbarak 17 6730 1230
X. Mayrari 15 6745 1245
XI. Harbay 8 6753 1253
I. Mahbara Wedem
II. Agbea Tsion
III. Tsinfa Arad
IV. Nagash Zare
V. Asfeh
VI. Yacob
VII. Bahr Asagad
VIII. Edem Asagad
These eight did not mount the throne.
Although the list given me by the Regent concludes in the year given as
EC 1779, I have thought it desirable to bring the tale up to date, and
have completed the following list from various sources.
In this connection it should be noted that for some fifty years prior to the
reign of the last king mentioned in the foregoing list (i.e. since about
1730 up to the advent of Theodore in 1855) the kings had exercised no
real power, and had been murdered, deposed, restored and driven out
again, or treated as nonentities by anyone of the great Rases of semi-
independent kings who were strong enough to maintain themselves
against their rivals, such as, for example, Ras Kikael Suhul of Tigre
(1730-80), Ras Guksa of Amhara, a Galla (1790-1819), and the son (Ras
Marye) and grandson (Ras Ali) of the latter.
The names of all these kings (who were actually raised to the throne)
are, however, given below in order to maintain continuity, together with
the dates (according to the western calendar) of their chequered reigns:
Yasus 1784-88
Takla Haymanot 1788-89
Iskias 1789-95
Baeda Maryam 1795- 97
Junus 1797
Adimo 1797-99
Egwala Sion 1799-1818
Joas 1818-21
Gigar 1821-26
Baeda Maryam III 1826
Gigar (again) 1826-30
Iyasu IV 1830-32
Gabra Kristos 1832
Sahala Dengel 1832-40
Johannes III 1840-41
Sahala Dengel (again) 1841-55
From this period dates the re-establishment of the empire, and the rapid
extension of the powers of its sovereigns. From then until to-day they
are:
Theodore 1855-68
John IV 1868-89
Menelik II 1889-1913
Lej Yasu 1913-16
Zauditu (Empress) &
Tafari Makonnen
(Regent & Heir) 1916
Negus Tafari Makonnen
(King) 1928-1930
HIM Haile Selassie I 1930-1974