Menelik (Menilik) II (1844-1913) was an Ethiopian emperor, who preserved the independence of his people by defeating a major Italian military expedition and who strengthened his kingdom through expansion and political and economic modernization.

Contributed George L. Simpson, Jr., ABD Africa History, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia

Name variations: Menilek. Born Sahle Mariam on August 19, 1844, in Ankober; died in Addis Ababa on or about December 12-13, 1913; son of Haile Malakot (Shoan king) and Wayzaro Ijjigayyehu (a woman of humble origins); married: Altash; married: Taitu; children: two daughters survived him. Predecessor: Yohannes IV. Successor: Lij Iyasu.

Menelik II was born Sahle Mariam on August 19, 1844, in Ankober, one of the capitals of the autonomous central Ethiopian province of Shoa. The infant boy was formally named by his paternal grandfather, Sahle Sellasie, who was the first Shoan leader to rise to become a negus, or king. The name, Menelik, recalls...