Sebhat
Encyclopedia
Sebhat Aregawi was a Ras of Ethiopia
. He was appointed governor of Agame
by Emperor
Tewodros II in 1859, and his province was expanded by Emperor Yohannes IV to include Adigrat
. Emperor Menelik II invested Sebhat with the title of Ras in 1892.
Ras Sebhat was the son of Aregawi of Agame
, and grandson of the popular governor of Tigray
, Ras Sabagadis
. At the time he challenged Ras Mangesha Yohannes, who had succeeded his slain father Yohannes IV and was asserting his supremacy in Tigray, Sebhat was described as "a clever and intelligent man in his early forties, an excellent administrator but not a distinguished warrior."
Sebhat submitted to the overlordship of Ras Mangesha 11 September 1889, following the death of Emperor Yohannes IV Ras Mangesha's father. However in 31 October of that year he secretly informed Eritrean governor Antonio Baldissera that he preferred Menilek's rule to Mangesha Yohannes.
While fighting with Mangesha over rulership of Tigray, in June 1890 he sent his own son Dasta as a hostage, in an effort to create peace. In August of that year Dasta fled from Adwa
and returned to his father. Sebhat refused to send him back and war seemed inevitable.
In 1914 Lij Iyasu
, the uncrowned successor to Emperor Menilik II, was reported to have promised Agame to Gebre Selassie, which would have made Gebre Selassie the most powerful ruler in Tigray. Disturbed by the rumor, Sebhat used Gebre Selassie's friendship with the Italians to arouse suspicions in Addis Ababa
, claiming that Selassie was entriguing with the Italians with the intention of defying Iyasu. Without investigating the basis of the accusations, Iyasu ordered Gebre Selassie to the capital to explain his position. Gebre Selassie refused, and in desperation tried to start a war between the Italian colony of Eritrea and Ethiopia, but the Italians refused to respond. By February 16 Addis Ababa declared Selassie to be in rebellion.
After much persuasion, and with promises to not be harassed by Sebhat, Gebre Selassie did travel to the capital. At the same time, it was reported that Ras Sebhat had occupied some of Selassie's territory. Sebhat and Gebre Selassie became great rivals.
On February 24, when Gebre Selassie was three days away from Adwa, he received word that Sebhat was marching there. Gebre Selassie turned back, and the next day battled with Sebhat at Zebewu, halfway between Adwa and Adigrat. Four days later Sebhat and two of his sons travelling with him were assassinated.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. He was appointed governor of Agame
Agame
The Agame is a former province in northern Ethiopia, now part of the Tigray Region. Its inhabitants include the Irob people, a region where tradition states the legendary Makeda was born and raised...
by Emperor
Emperor of Ethiopia
The Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
Tewodros II in 1859, and his province was expanded by Emperor Yohannes IV to include Adigrat
Adigrat
Adigrat is a city in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Located in the Misraqawi Zone at longitude and latitude with an elevation of 2457 meters above sea level, below a high ridge to the west, Adigrat is the last important Ethiopian city south of the border with Eritrea, and is considered to be a...
. Emperor Menelik II invested Sebhat with the title of Ras in 1892.
Ras Sebhat was the son of Aregawi of Agame
Agame
The Agame is a former province in northern Ethiopia, now part of the Tigray Region. Its inhabitants include the Irob people, a region where tradition states the legendary Makeda was born and raised...
, and grandson of the popular governor of Tigray
Tigray Province
Tigray was a province of Ethiopia. The Tigray Region superseded the province with the adoption of the new constitution in 1995. The province of Tigre merged with its neighboring provinces, including Semien, Tembien, Agame and the prominent Enderta province and towards the end of 19th century it...
, Ras Sabagadis
Sabagadis
Sabagadis was a Dejazmach or governor of Tigray, a province in northern Ethiopia. He was the son of Shum Waldu of Agame, and a member of the Irob people.- Life :...
. At the time he challenged Ras Mangesha Yohannes, who had succeeded his slain father Yohannes IV and was asserting his supremacy in Tigray, Sebhat was described as "a clever and intelligent man in his early forties, an excellent administrator but not a distinguished warrior."
Sebhat submitted to the overlordship of Ras Mangesha 11 September 1889, following the death of Emperor Yohannes IV Ras Mangesha's father. However in 31 October of that year he secretly informed Eritrean governor Antonio Baldissera that he preferred Menilek's rule to Mangesha Yohannes.
While fighting with Mangesha over rulership of Tigray, in June 1890 he sent his own son Dasta as a hostage, in an effort to create peace. In August of that year Dasta fled from Adwa
Adwa
Adwa is a market town in northern Ethiopia, and best known as the community closest to the decisive Battle of Adowa fought in 1896 with Italian troops. Notably, Ethiopian soldiers won the battle, thus being the only African nation to thwart European colonialism...
and returned to his father. Sebhat refused to send him back and war seemed inevitable.
In 1914 Lij Iyasu
Iyasu V of Ethiopia
Iyasu V , also known as Lij Iyasu was the designated but uncrowned Emperor of Ethiopia . His baptismal name was Kifle Yaqob...
, the uncrowned successor to Emperor Menilik II, was reported to have promised Agame to Gebre Selassie, which would have made Gebre Selassie the most powerful ruler in Tigray. Disturbed by the rumor, Sebhat used Gebre Selassie's friendship with the Italians to arouse suspicions in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
, claiming that Selassie was entriguing with the Italians with the intention of defying Iyasu. Without investigating the basis of the accusations, Iyasu ordered Gebre Selassie to the capital to explain his position. Gebre Selassie refused, and in desperation tried to start a war between the Italian colony of Eritrea and Ethiopia, but the Italians refused to respond. By February 16 Addis Ababa declared Selassie to be in rebellion.
After much persuasion, and with promises to not be harassed by Sebhat, Gebre Selassie did travel to the capital. At the same time, it was reported that Ras Sebhat had occupied some of Selassie's territory. Sebhat and Gebre Selassie became great rivals.
On February 24, when Gebre Selassie was three days away from Adwa, he received word that Sebhat was marching there. Gebre Selassie turned back, and the next day battled with Sebhat at Zebewu, halfway between Adwa and Adigrat. Four days later Sebhat and two of his sons travelling with him were assassinated.