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Iyasu VEmperor of Ethiopia from 1913 to 1916
Date of Birth: 04.02.1896
Country:  Ethiopia |
Content:
- Iyasu V: Emperor of Ethiopia
- Reign and Policies
- Controversy and Opposition
- Deposition and Imprisonment
- Later Life and Death
- Legacy
Iyasu V: Emperor of Ethiopia
Early Life and AccessionLij Iyasu was born to Ras Mikael, ruler of Wallo, and Shewa Regga, daughter of Emperor Menelik II. With Menelik II's health declining, Iyasu became crown prince in 1908 and assumed the throne in 1913 at the age of 18.
Reign and Policies
Iyasu's reign was marked by significant political shifts. He pursued alliances with Muslims within and outside Ethiopia, breaking from his predecessor's pro-Entente stance. He also sought to undermine the hegemony of Shoan feudal lords.
Controversy and Opposition
Iyasu's policies sparked controversy and opposition. He faced accusations of favoring Islam, resulting in widespread anti-imperial sentiments spread by British propaganda. Opposition from the Shoan elite, clergy, and Entente nations grew steadily.
Deposition and Imprisonment
In 1916, a coup d'état led by War Minister Habte Giyorgis deposed Iyasu. He was declared deposed in absentia, while Menelik's daughter Zewditu was crowned empress and Tafari Makonnen was appointed regent and heir apparent.
Later Life and Death
Iyasu fled to the Afar desert after the coup but was captured in 1921 and imprisoned. Despite his excommunication from the church, he maintained a loyal following. In 1931, he briefly escaped from prison. During the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, Iyasu was either killed or assassinated. His burial place remains unknown.
Legacy
Iyasu's legacy is complex. He remains a controversial figure, with some historians viewing him as a progressive reformer and others condemning him as a heretic. His daughter and other descendants have claimed the Ethiopian throne in exile.
