Origins & Early Life

Dawit II (Ge'ez: ዳዊት; c. 1496 – 2 September 1540), better known by his birth name of Lebna Dengel, and also known by the macaronic name Wanag Segad, was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1508 to 1540, whose political center and palace was in Shewa. A male line descendant of the medieval Amhara kings, and thus a member of the House of Solomon, he was the son of Emperor Na'od and Empress Na'od Mogesa. The important victory over the Adal's Emir Mahfuz may have given Dawit the appellation "Wanag Segad," which is a combination of Geʽez and the Harari terms.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In contrast to previous emperors, Dawit had only one wife, Seble Wongel, whom he married around 1512–13. The couple had eight children: four sons and four daughters. Taking only one wife throughout his life was seen as a Christian act that fit with the ideals of the Church. Although she was well into her seventies, the Empress Mother Eleni stepped in to act as her step-great-grandson's regent until 1516, when he came of age. During this time, she was aware that the neighboring Muslim states were benefitting from the assistance of other, larger Muslim countries like the Ottoman Empire.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Eleni sought to neutralize...

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