Rise To Power
Yohannes, then known as Commander of the Gate (Dejazmach) Kassai, was a sworn enemy of Emperor Tewodros II, and gave logistical and political support to the British forces who arrived to defeat Emperor Tewodros in 1868. In gratitude, the British gave Dejazmach Kassai, the future Yohannes, a large number of modern firearms as they withdrew following their victory at Amba Mariam (also known as Magdala). This helped him to control the province of Tigray, and he became one of the three most powerful princes in Ethiopia (the others being Wagshum Gobeze of Lasta and Wag (the future Emperor Tekle Giyorgis II), as well as King (Negus) Menelek of Shewa the future Emperor Menelek II). All three vied to become sole ruler, and also claimed descent from the Solomonic kings. Dejazmach Kassai's rivalry with the Wagshum was further complicated by the fact that his sister, Dinqinesh Mercha, was married to Wagshum Gobeze. Only five years earlier, Wagshum Gobeze had played the decisive military role in ensuring that Dejazmach Kassai defeated his rivals as the pre-eminent figure in Tigray. Their new rivalry was therefore awkward for both of them on a personal level.
In 1868, Wagshum Gobeze proclaimed himself Emperor Tekle Giyorgis II of Ethiopia at Soqota in his district of Wag. Because the Abuna of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church had died shortly before, there was no one to crown the new Emperor. In an effort to get Kassai to recognize this title, Tekle Giyorgis gave his brother-in-law the title of "Re-ese Mekwanint", or "first among the nobles". Dejazmach Kassai promptly started using the title, but still did not recognize Tekle Giyorgis' claim to the throne and refused to pay homage to him.
Tekle Giyorgis, after consolidating support with Adal of Gojjam and King Menelik of Shewa through marriage ties, and in Wollo by force, crossed the Takazze River into Tigray in 1871 in a campaign against Kassai. Relying on the training the British adventurer John Kirkham had given his troops, and the considerable amount of weapons left to him by the British expedition that had defeated Emperor Tewodros II, Dejazmach Kassai met the Emperor near Adwa on 11 July 1871, capturing and deposing him. Emperor Tekle Giyorgis died in captivity the next year. Following Tekle Giyorgis' death, his widow, Empress Dinkinesh Mercha, settled in Mekele at the court of her brother the new Emperor Yohannes IV, and continued to be accorded the title and dignity of an Empress throughout his reign.
Kassai had long prepared for this day, and had gathered the funds to pay the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria to appoint a new Archbishop over the Ethiopian Church, to replace Abuna Salama who had died in 1867. Patriarch Cyril V sent him Abuna Atnatewos, who arrived June 1869.
On 12 January 1872, Atnatewos then crowned Kassai emperor at Axum. He took the name and title of Emperor, becoming the first emperor crowned in that historic city since Fasilides in 1632. Adal of Gojjam soon after submitted to Yohannes and recognized him as Emperor. Adal was rewarded with the titles of Ras and of King (Negus) of Gojjam. Adal was also given the new name of Tekle Haymanot Tessemma.
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