Iyoas I vs Zewditu

Iyoas I became Emperor of Ethiopia at age 15 following the death of his father, Iyasu II. His reign was dominated by the rivalry between his mother, Empress Mentewab, and the powerful noble Ras Mikael Sehul.

A power struggle erupted between Empress Mentewab and Ras Mikael Sehul over control of the young emperor. Mikael Sehul, who had married Iyoas's aunt, gained dominance and effectively ruled the empire, sidelining the empress.

Ras Mikael Sehul ordered the assassination of Emperor Iyoas I after a dispute. This regicide shattered the traditional authority of the Solomonic dynasty and plunged Ethiopia into the Zemene Mesafint (Era of the Princes), a period of decentralized rule and civil war lasting until 1855.

Zewditu was crowned Empress of Ethiopia, becoming the first female head of state in modern Africa. Her reign was marked by a power-sharing arrangement with Regent Ras Tafari Makonnen (later Haile Selassie), who managed most government affairs.

Forces loyal to Empress Zewditu, led by her husband Ras Gugsa Welle, were defeated by the army of Regent Ras Tafari at the Battle of Anchem. The defeat ended the rebellion against Tafari's modernization policies and consolidated his power.

Empress Zewditu died shortly after the Battle of Anchem, under circumstances that remain disputed. Some accounts suggest she died of shock or illness upon hearing of her husband's defeat, while others imply possible poisoning. Her death paved the way for Haile Selassie's coronation.