The Chronicle of Menilek II of Ethiopia: A Brief Assessment of its Versions

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Periodical article

Title:	The Chronicle of Menilek II of Ethiopia: A Brief Assessment of its Versions
Author:	Ahmed, Hussein
Year:	1983
Periodical:	Journal of Ethiopian Studies
Volume:	16
Pages:	75-86
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ethiopia
Subjects:	manuscripts heads of State History and Exploration Politics and Government
About person:	Menelik II, emperor of Ethiopia (1844-1913)
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/41965906
Abstract:	The last in the line of imperial chronicles, that of Menilek II (ruled as king of Shâwa 1865-1889; as emperor of Ethiopia 1889-1913), was written in Amharic. The circumstances of its composition as written by Gabra Sellasé Hilda Arägay (1844-1912) are identified and discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the sources used by Gabra Sellasé and the reasons for the existence of a multiplicity of versions: the Monaco MS, the version(s) translated by Tasfa Sellasé for the French version edited by De Coppet, the MS at Dabra Seggé, the MS at the Institute of Ethiopian Studies (Addis Ababa), the MS at the National Library (Addis Ababa), the MS at the Lazarist House (Addis Ababa), and the recently printed Amharic version based on the Däbra Seggé MS. An assessment of each version in terms of its authoritativeness and reliability is made along with a brief comment on the date of and background to its writing as well as on its relation with the other extant versions. Notes.