Woldemichael Solomon: Difference between revisions
Rogeman123 (talk | contribs) No edit summary Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
|||
| (35 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Infobox military person |
{{Infobox military person |
||
| name = Ras Woldemichael Solomon |
| name = Ras Woldemichael Solomon |
||
| birth_date = |
| birth_date = c. 1820 |
||
| death_date = {{death year and age|1906|1820}} |
| death_date = {{death year and age|1906|1820}} |
||
| birth_place = [[Hazega]], [[ |
| birth_place = [[Hazega]], [[Ethiopian Empire]] |
||
| death_place = [[Ethiopian Empire |
| death_place = [[Aksum]], [[Tigray Province|Tigray]], [[Ethiopian Empire]] |
||
| Wife = Woizero Altash daughter of Dejazmach Whade Woldekidan |
|||
| image = |
| image = |
||
| caption = Raesi Woldemichael Solomon |
| caption = Raesi Woldemichael Solomon |
||
| nickname = |
| nickname = |
||
| branch = |
| branch = |
||
| serviceyears = |
| serviceyears = |
||
| rank = |
| rank = |
||
| commands = |
| commands = |
||
| unit = |
| unit = |
||
| battles = |
| battles =[[Ethiopian-Egyptian War]] |
||
*[[Battle of |
*[[Battle of Gundet]] |
||
| awards = |
| awards = |
||
| laterwork = |
| laterwork = |
||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Ras Woldemichael Solomon''' ({{ |
'''Ras Woldemichael Solomon''' ({{langx|ti| ወልደሚካኤል ሰሎሙን}}) served as the [[Ras (title)|Ras]] (Duke) of [[Hamasien]] during the 19th century. Raesi Woldemichael was born in Hazega village in Hamassien. He is the eldest son of ''Abeto'' Solomon Zerai of [[Hazega]] and [[Woizero Eleni|''Woizero'' Eleni]]. He was the last hereditary ruler to be in power in [[Mereb Melash]].<ref name="DenisonPaice2007">{{cite book|url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=Qi-KQchGks8C}}|title=Eritrea: The Bradt Travel Guide|author1=Edward Denison|author2=Edward Paice|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|year=2007|isbn=978-1-84162-171-5}}</ref><ref name="Caulk">{{cite journal|last1=Caulk|first1=Richard|date=1984|title=Bad Men of the Borders: Shum and Shefta in Northern Ethiopia in the 19th Century|journal=The International Journal of African Historical Studies|volume=17|issue=2|pages=201–227|doi=10.2307/218604|jstor=218604}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Erlikh |first1=Haggai |title=Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa A Political Biography : Ethiopia & Eritrea, 1875-1897 |date=1996 |pages=42 |url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/28554/1/10672713.pdf}}</ref> |
||
==Life== |
==Life== |
||
Raesi Woldemichael was born into one of the traditional ruling families of |
Raesi Woldemichael was born into one of the traditional ruling families of [[Mereb Melash]], the House of Hazega. His mother was [[Embet Ilen]], the governor of [[Hamasien|Hamsen]]. He was married to woizero Altash, daughter of Dejazmach Whade Woldekidan, son of Shum Tembien Woldekidan Woldemichael. Upon the death of Emperor [[Tewodros II]] in 1868, then ruler of [[Tigray Province|Tigray]] (and later Emperor), [[Dejazmatch]] [[Yohannes IV]] appointed his ally Woldemichael the Governor of [[Hamasien]] and [[Serae|Seraye]]. In doing so, Tewodros' former appointee Dejazmatch [[Hailu Teweldemedhin]] of the rival House of [[Tsazega]] was replaced. |
||
Under the leadership of now Emperor Yohannes IV, Woldemichael fought in the Battle of Gundet against Egyptian forces under Khedive [[Isma'il Pasha]], who sought to bring the entire [[Nile River Basin]] under his rule. The Khedive entrusted the Danish mercenary Colonel [[:da:Adolph Arendrup|Adolf Arendrup]] to annex Hamasien and Seraye, and then proceed towards [[Adwa]]. Following some minor skirmishes, the forces of the Khedive met the Abyssinian forces at Gundet on the morning of 16 November 1875. [[Ras Alula]] took command of the left flank, the forces of Yohannes on the right, with Woldemichael taking command of the center and rear in light of his greater knowledge of the area. The Egyptians were tricked into a narrow and steep valley and were wiped out by the Abyssinian gunners surrounding the valley from the surrounding mountains. Virtually the entire Egyptian force, along with its many officers of European and North American background were killed. News of this huge defeat was suppressed in Egypt for fear that it would undermine the government of the Khedive. |
Under the leadership of now Emperor Yohannes IV, Woldemichael fought in the Battle of Gundet against Egyptian forces under Khedive [[Isma'il Pasha]], who sought to bring the entire [[Nile River Basin]] under his rule. The Khedive entrusted the Danish mercenary Colonel [[:da:Adolph Arendrup|Adolf Arendrup]] to annex Hamasien and Seraye, and then proceed towards [[Adwa]]. Following some minor skirmishes, the forces of the Khedive met the Abyssinian forces at Gundet on the morning of 16 November 1875. [[Ras Alula]] took command of the left flank, the forces of Yohannes on the right, with Woldemichael taking command of the center and rear in light of his greater knowledge of the area. The Egyptians were tricked into a narrow and steep valley and were wiped out by the Abyssinian gunners surrounding the valley from the surrounding mountains. Virtually the entire Egyptian force, along with its many officers of European and North American background were killed. News of this huge defeat was suppressed in Egypt for fear that it would undermine the government of the Khedive. |
||
In early December 1875, an Egyptian force of 20,000 men landed at [[Massawa]] and subsequently marched inland to seize [[Mereb Melash]]. Woldemichael who resented the Emperor's preference for [[Ras Alula]] and feared that Yohannes intended to re-appoint Woldemichael's rival Hailu as governor, deflected to the Egyptians and offered his services. His submission allowed the Egyptians to occupy Khaya Khur and Gura where two strong [[zariba]]s were constructed. Following the defeat of the Egyptians at the [[Battle of Gura]], Woldemichael fled to Egyptian-controlled [[Bogos]] and went into open revolt against Yohannes. He defeated his rival Hailu at the [[Battle of Weki Duba]], Hailu was killed and his followers fled to Tigray, Woldemichael then burnt [[Tsazega]] to the ground before returning to Bogos. Yohannes then appointed Ras Baryau Gebretsadiq as governor of Mereb Melash. Raesi Baryau governorship was however short-lived, with Woldemichael confronting and soundly defeating him at Biet Mekae near Asmara. Yohannes then appointed Ras Alula as governor, tasking him to end Woldemichael's revolt.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erlikh |first1=Haggai |title=Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa A Political Biography : Ethiopia & Eritrea, 1875-1897 |date=1996 |pages=38 |url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/28554/1/10672713.pdf}}</ref> |
|||
However, Woldemichael resented the nature of the Emperor's interference in the semi-autonomous [[Medri Bahri]] and feared that Yohannes intended to re-appoint Woldemichael's rival Hailu as Governor. Before the [[Battle of Gura]] ensued, he rebelled against Yohannes and sided with the Egyptians. Following the defeat of the Egyptians at Gura, Woldemichael went into open revolt against Yohannes, vowing to destroy his rival Hailu in the process, culminating in the defeat of Hailu during the [[Battle of Weki Duba]]. |
|||
In September 1877, Ras Alula invaded Hamasien with 20,000 troops, he defeated Woldemichael at Aylet and then seized the road to [[Bogos]] to cut off his escape. Woldemichael along with 300 men were force to submit to Ras Alula at [[Aksum]], he then travelled to [[Debre Tabor]] to meet Yohannes, who confirmed his title of ''Ras'' and appointed him as the vice governor of Mereb Melash to use him as a check against Alula. Alula then plotted against Woldemichael by falsely accusing him of being in secret communications with the Egyptians at [[Sanhit]], he and Alula were ordered to come to [[Debre Tabor]] for trial in December 1879. In January 1880 Woldemichael was condemned by the Emperor and subsequently imprisoned on top of [[Amba Aradam]]. He was released 11 years later and lived in forced retirement in [[Aksum]] until his death in 1906.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erlikh |first1=Haggai |title=Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa A Political Biography : Ethiopia & Eritrea, 1875-1897 |date=1996 |pages=42 |url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/28554/1/10672713.pdf}}</ref> |
|||
Unable to consolidate power in the northern provinces, Yohannes sent messengers to Woldemichael offering to forgive his past crimes if he submitted to him. Woldemichael adamantly refused, leading to Yohannes' appointment of loyalist Ras [[Baryau Gebretsadiq]] as Governor of [[Hamasien]]. Raesi Baryau governorship was however shortlived, with Woldemichael confronting and soundly defeating him at Biet Mekae near [[Asmara]]. Yohannes then appointed [[Ras Alula]] as Governor, tasking him to end Woldemichael's revolt. When Raesi Alula became aware of the difficulties fighting Woldemichael, once again a truce was offered to Woldemichael, with Ras Alula swearing on [[The Bible]] that he would not attack. On this occasion, Woldemichael agreed to peace terms and travelled to [[Axum|Axum, Ethiopia]] to sign a peace treaty. However, Alula broke his promise (betrayal) and imprisoned Raesi Woldemichael, allowing Alula to rule Hamasien with little opposition afterwards. Woldemichael lived in forced retirement in Axum until his death in 1906. |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
| Line 34: | Line 35: | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Solomon, Woldemichael}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Solomon, Woldemichael}} |
||
[[Category:19th-century |
[[Category:19th-century Ethiopian people]] |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:1820s births]] |
||
[[Category:1906 deaths]] |
[[Category:1906 deaths]] |
||
Latest revision as of 22:46, 31 October 2024
Ras Woldemichael Solomon | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1820 Hazega, Ethiopian Empire |
| Died | 1906 (aged 85–86) Aksum, Tigray, Ethiopian Empire |
| Battles / wars | Ethiopian-Egyptian War |
Ras Woldemichael Solomon (Tigrinya: ወልደሚካኤል ሰሎሙን) served as the Ras (Duke) of Hamasien during the 19th century. Raesi Woldemichael was born in Hazega village in Hamassien. He is the eldest son of Abeto Solomon Zerai of Hazega and Woizero Eleni. He was the last hereditary ruler to be in power in Mereb Melash.[1][2][3]
Life
[edit]Raesi Woldemichael was born into one of the traditional ruling families of Mereb Melash, the House of Hazega. His mother was Embet Ilen, the governor of Hamsen. He was married to woizero Altash, daughter of Dejazmach Whade Woldekidan, son of Shum Tembien Woldekidan Woldemichael. Upon the death of Emperor Tewodros II in 1868, then ruler of Tigray (and later Emperor), Dejazmatch Yohannes IV appointed his ally Woldemichael the Governor of Hamasien and Seraye. In doing so, Tewodros' former appointee Dejazmatch Hailu Teweldemedhin of the rival House of Tsazega was replaced.
Under the leadership of now Emperor Yohannes IV, Woldemichael fought in the Battle of Gundet against Egyptian forces under Khedive Isma'il Pasha, who sought to bring the entire Nile River Basin under his rule. The Khedive entrusted the Danish mercenary Colonel Adolf Arendrup to annex Hamasien and Seraye, and then proceed towards Adwa. Following some minor skirmishes, the forces of the Khedive met the Abyssinian forces at Gundet on the morning of 16 November 1875. Ras Alula took command of the left flank, the forces of Yohannes on the right, with Woldemichael taking command of the center and rear in light of his greater knowledge of the area. The Egyptians were tricked into a narrow and steep valley and were wiped out by the Abyssinian gunners surrounding the valley from the surrounding mountains. Virtually the entire Egyptian force, along with its many officers of European and North American background were killed. News of this huge defeat was suppressed in Egypt for fear that it would undermine the government of the Khedive.
In early December 1875, an Egyptian force of 20,000 men landed at Massawa and subsequently marched inland to seize Mereb Melash. Woldemichael who resented the Emperor's preference for Ras Alula and feared that Yohannes intended to re-appoint Woldemichael's rival Hailu as governor, deflected to the Egyptians and offered his services. His submission allowed the Egyptians to occupy Khaya Khur and Gura where two strong zaribas were constructed. Following the defeat of the Egyptians at the Battle of Gura, Woldemichael fled to Egyptian-controlled Bogos and went into open revolt against Yohannes. He defeated his rival Hailu at the Battle of Weki Duba, Hailu was killed and his followers fled to Tigray, Woldemichael then burnt Tsazega to the ground before returning to Bogos. Yohannes then appointed Ras Baryau Gebretsadiq as governor of Mereb Melash. Raesi Baryau governorship was however short-lived, with Woldemichael confronting and soundly defeating him at Biet Mekae near Asmara. Yohannes then appointed Ras Alula as governor, tasking him to end Woldemichael's revolt.[4]
In September 1877, Ras Alula invaded Hamasien with 20,000 troops, he defeated Woldemichael at Aylet and then seized the road to Bogos to cut off his escape. Woldemichael along with 300 men were force to submit to Ras Alula at Aksum, he then travelled to Debre Tabor to meet Yohannes, who confirmed his title of Ras and appointed him as the vice governor of Mereb Melash to use him as a check against Alula. Alula then plotted against Woldemichael by falsely accusing him of being in secret communications with the Egyptians at Sanhit, he and Alula were ordered to come to Debre Tabor for trial in December 1879. In January 1880 Woldemichael was condemned by the Emperor and subsequently imprisoned on top of Amba Aradam. He was released 11 years later and lived in forced retirement in Aksum until his death in 1906.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Edward Denison; Edward Paice (2007). Eritrea: The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-84162-171-5.
- ^ Caulk, Richard (1984). "Bad Men of the Borders: Shum and Shefta in Northern Ethiopia in the 19th Century". The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 17 (2): 201–227. doi:10.2307/218604. JSTOR 218604.
- ^ Erlikh, Haggai (1996). Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa A Political Biography : Ethiopia & Eritrea, 1875-1897 (PDF). p. 42.
- ^ Erlikh, Haggai (1996). Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa A Political Biography : Ethiopia & Eritrea, 1875-1897 (PDF). p. 38.
- ^ Erlikh, Haggai (1996). Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa A Political Biography : Ethiopia & Eritrea, 1875-1897 (PDF). p. 42.