The Kebra Nagast, a 14th-century national epic, identifies Menelik I as the primary figure who inaugurated the Solomonic dynasty of Ethiopia during the 10th century BC. As the central subject of Ethiopian mythology, he is traditionally recognized as the son of the biblical King Solomon and Makeda, the Queen of Sheba.
Lineage and Early Life
Known in the Kebra Nagast as Bäynä Ləḥkəm, a name derived from the Arabic phrase for son of the wise, Menelik was born near Addi-Shmagle in present-day Eritrea around 1000 BC. Following his upbringing in his mother's homeland, he traveled to Jerusalem in his twenties to meet King Solomon. Upon his return to Ethiopia, he was accompanied by a group of Israelites sent by his father to provide administrative support.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The Solomonic Legacy
Menelik I is cited as the founder of the Solomonic dynasty, which remained a central power structure in Ethiopia for nearly three millennia. Records regarding his specific reign dates vary; Tafari Makannon’s King List places his rule between 975 BC and 950 BC, while E. A. Wallis Budge estimates his reign occurred from 954 BC to 930 BC. The dynasty concluded in 1974 with the deposition of Emperor Haile Selassie.
The Ark of the Covenant
Ethiopian tradition asserts that Menelik secured the Ark of the Covenant during his return from Jerusalem. According to these accounts, the relic was moved for safekeeping during periods of historical conflict, such as the 10th-century persecutions under Gudit and the 16th-century Ethiopian-Adal war. It is currently reported to reside in a restricted shrine in Axum, guarded by a single monk.
Archaeological Sites and Depictions
A tomb attributed to Menelik I is situated two kilometres west of Axum. A 1906 German expedition uncovered structural walls and a chamber at this location. Excavated remains associated with the site were later moved to the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion. The narrative of his life remains a recurring theme in Ethiopian art, often displayed in 44-panel series, and was the subject of a 2004 short film.
Fast facts
- Name: Menelik I
- Born: Approx. 1000 BC
- Birthplace: Mai-Bela, near Addi-Shmagle
- Primary Role: Emperor of Ethiopia
- Parentage: King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
- Dynastic Title: Founder of the Solomonic dynasty
Questions readers ask
What is the Kebra Nagast?
It is a 14th-century Ethiopian epic written in Geʽez that details the origins of the Solomonic dynasty.
Is the tomb of Menelik I verified?
A site near Axum is designated as his tomb, where a 1906 expedition found structural remains and human bones.
