Battle of Azule

Battle of Azule
Part of Menelik's Expansions
Date6 September 1886; 138 years ago (1886-09-06)
Location
Azule, Ethiopia
Result Shewan victory
Belligerents
Ethiopian Empire Shewa Arsi Oromo
Commanders and leaders
Ras Darge Sahle Selassie Arsi Oromo
Strength
~10,000[1] 15,000?[2]
Casualties and losses
Minimal 6,000–12,000[3]

The Battle of Azule was fought on 6 September 1886, between the forces of Ras Darge Sahle Selassie of Shewa and a force of Arsi Oromo. It was part of a broader series of expansion campaigns done under Menelik II, Negus of Shewa, referred to by some historians as the Agar Maqnat. The battle of Azule was important as it represents the crushing of a large Arsi army by one under Menelik; it also demonstrates the dynamic of gun-wielding Shewans fighting Spear-wielding Arsi that many historians like to stress when discussing Menelik's expansions; it also retains symbolic and historic importance in the politics and identities of many.

  1. ^ Karim, ElAmin (2009). An Historical Study of the Shawan-Amhara Conquest of the Oromo and Sidama Regions of Southern Ethiopia 1865-1900 (Doctoral). University of Khartoum. p. 130.
  2. ^ Karim, ElAmin (2009). AN HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE SHAWAN – AMHARA CONQUEST OF THE OROMO and SIDAMA REGIONS OF SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA 1865-1900 (Doctoral). University of Khartoum.
  3. ^ Karim, ElAmin (2009). An Historical Study of the Shawan-Amhara Conquest of the Oromo and Sidama Regions of Southern Ethiopia 1865-1900 (Doctoral). University of Khartoum. p. 130.