Lij Iyasu

Lij Iyasu was Ethiopia’s designated emperor from 1913 until his deposition in 1916. He never underwent formal coronation, and his reign was marked by conflict over religion, foreign alliances, and political authority.

Menelik II: Emperor of Ethiopia from 1889 to 1913, known for defeating Italy at the Battle of Adwa. He designated Iyasu as his successor before his death.
Ethiopian coup d'état of 1916: The coordinated action that deposed Lij Iyasu and placed Zewditu on the throne. It was the decisive operation that ended his effective rule.
Zewditu's reign: The period of Ethiopian rule under Empress Zewditu, from 1916 to 1930. Iyasu’s deposition created the settlement that began her reign.
Ras Tafari Makonnen: The title and name used by Haile Selassie before his coronation as emperor in 1930. His regency offered a rival center of authority after Iyasu’s removal.
Taytu Betul: Empress of Ethiopia and a powerful political figure during the reign of Menelik II. Her role in the succession struggle shaped the court Iyasu inherited.
Fitawrari Habte Giyorgis: An Ethiopian military commander and minister of war who held great influence in the early twentieth century. He commanded forces aligned with the movement against Iyasu.
Haile Selassie: Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, previously known as Ras Tafari Makonnen. He became regent and heir during the post-Iyasu political order.
Islam in Ethiopia: A major religious tradition in Ethiopia, with communities and institutions across the country. Iyasu’s perceived sympathy toward Muslim communities contrasted with Orthodox opponents’ political expectations.
Ethiopian Empire: A sovereign state in the Horn of Africa that endured in various forms from the medieval era until 1974. Iyasu’s contested rule unfolded within this empire’s dynastic and regional politics.
Abuna Mattheos X: The Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s metropolitan during the deposition of Lij Iyasu. He issued the church’s excommunication of Iyasu, strengthening the case against him.

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