Yohannes IV (1837-1889) was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1872 until his death in 1889. His reign was dominated by near-constant warfare defending Ethiopia's independence against outside powers, including successful campaigns against invading Egyptian forces in the 1870s and prolonged conflict with Mahdist forces from Sudan through the 1880s. He was killed in battle in 1889 at the Battle of Gallabat, also known as Metemma, fighting the Mahdist army, becoming one of the few reigning monarchs of the era to die in combat. His death triggered a succession struggle that was ultimately won by Menelik II, who went on to lead Ethiopia to its decisive victory over invading Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa in 1896.
Facts
Disputed
Birth YearInfobox gives 1837, but the article body states the date is poorly documented and given between 1831 and 1837 in the sources. Birth DateInfobox gives 11 July 1837, but the article body states the date is poorly documented and given between 1831 and 1837 in the sources. RoleEmperor of Ethiopia from 1871 to his death in 1889 at the Battle of Gallabat, and king of Tigray from 1869 to 1871. 1 Death PlaceMetemma, near the Sudanese border 1 Role
Role (category) FAQs
Why did Menelik of Shewa become emperor after Yohannes IV died instead of his son?
Menelik of Shewa was the more powerful man and was proclaimed emperor despite the wish of Yohannes IV to name his son Mangasha.
Before his death on March 10, 1889, Yohannes IV had tried to name his son Ras Mangasha as his successor. He had been mortally wounded just as his army was close to victory over the Mahdist fortifications, and once the news spread his army faltered, withdrew and scattered. Menelik of Shewa, the more powerful and influential figure, was proclaimed emperor instead.
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Source Wikipedia: Yohannes IV
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Source Wikidata: Yohannes IV
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1. Wikipedia: Yohannes IV
WikipediaLead section, sentence 1
was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1871 to his death in 1889 at the Battle of Gallabat, and king of Tigray from 1869 to 1871.
Lead section, parenthetical
born Lij Kahssai Mercha
Lead section, parenthetical (also known as)
born Lij Kahssai Mercha
Origin and early life section, paragraph 2
The first half of his life is poorly documented, with the date of his birth given between 1831 and 1837.
Lead section, parenthetical dates
Yohannes IV (Tigrinya: ዮሓንስ ፬ይ Rabaiy Yōḥānnes; horse name Abba Bezbiz also known as Kahśsai; born Lij Kahssai Mercha; 11 July 1837 - 10 March 1889) was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1871 to his death in 1889 at the Battle of Gallabat, and king of Tigray from 1869 to 1871.
Death section, paragraph 1
in Metemma near the Sudanese border.
Yohannes IV: Gender
Yohannes IV (1837-1889) was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1872 until his death in 1889.
In Era: The Late Modern Period, lead paragraph, lifespan
Yohannes IV (Tigrinya: ዮሓንስ ፬ይ Rabaiy Yōḥānnes; horse name Abba Bezbiz also known as Kahśsai; born Lij Kahssai Mercha; 11 July 1837 - 10 March 1889) was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1871 to his death in 1889 at the Battle of Gallabat, and king of Tigray from 1869 to 1871.
View the Source Wikidata: Yohannes IV
Wikidata Q315659, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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