The imperial ambitions of Yohannes are consolidated towards the end of the reign of Tewodros II as early as 1867, he presented himself, during a correspondence with the British, as ruler of Ethiopia. In Hamasien, däjazmač Haylu Tewolde Medhen, who contemplated resistance, was confined and replaced with däjazmač (later ras) Woldemichael Solomon who had actively participated in Kaśa's military campaign against the imperial officials in Tigray. He defeated the governors of Selewa and Kilte Awulaelo. Kaśa then formed an alliance with wag šum Gobez Gebre Medhin of Lasta against Tewodros and began to harass the imperial representatives on both sides of the Mareb River. Tekle Giyorgis (who had killed Kaśa's mother, Silass) fell in battle, and Kaśa subsequently assumed his title of däjazmač. Barya'u transferred his allegiance to Kaśa whom he served faithfully until he was killed in a battle some ten years later. Returning to the highlands, he raised more men and began his military campaign: in the years 1864–1867, he consecutively defeated šum seraye Gebre Mikael, däjazmač Barya'u Gebre Sadeq of Adwa and däjazmač Tekle Giyorgis Qalos of Shire. In any case, for some time he (together with his followers) retired to the eastern lowlands and found refuge among the Afar, from which ethnic group he married a Muslim after she had been baptized with the name Tebaba Sellasie. Often two explanations, which are not essentially contradictory, are forwarded by the sources: the first is related to his dissatisfaction with the rank and function given to him by the sovereign, while the second interprets his rebellion as a response to the appeal of abunä Salama who in 1867 wrote from prison to many notables condemning his perceived injustices of Tewodros. What prompted his rebellion is not well established. Shortly after their return to Tigray, Kaśa rebelled against the rule of Tewodros. The lowest title, of balambaras, was bestowed upon Kaśa, who was subsequently assigned to administer a sub-district within the governorship of his elder brother, Gugsa. Gugsa was given the title of däjazmač, and Maru that of fit’awrari. The first mention of his appearance in the political arena comes up in connection with his visit to the imperial court of Tewodros II in 1864–1865 in the company of his brothers, Gugsa and Maru. The available sources merely indicate that he was the youngest of his siblings, that he had a seriously ailing childhood, that he received some church education, and that he was initiated to manhood after killing some wild animals (lions and/or elephants) for trophies. Even the date of his birth is uncertain various sources place it between 18. The story of the first half of his life is poorly documented. Therefore Yohannes is descendent from the Gondar-Branch of the Solomonic Dynasty. Yohannes Solomonic lineage is through his paternal grandmother Woizero Workewoha KaleKristoss of Adwa, the granddaughter of Ras Mikael Sehul and his wife Aster Iyasu, daughter of Empress Mentewab and Melmal Iyasu, who was a Solomonic prince and nephew of Emperor Bakaffa. He thus descended from the ruling families of Tembien, Agame, and Enderta. On the side of his father, Mercha Wolde Kidan, Yohannes descended from the ruling dynasty of Tembien where both his father and grandfather bore the traditional title of šum Tembien, while his mother, Silas Dimtsu, was a daughter of balgäda Demtsu of Enderta and Tabotu Woldu of Agame, hence a niece of Sabagadis Woldu. In foreign policy, he had disagreements and military conflicts with both Isma'il Pasha of the Khedivate of Egypt and Muhammad Ahmad during the latter's Mahdist War. He regarded Islam, Christianity and the Ethiopian Church all a hindrance to the stability of the state he built. He assissted the British in their British expedition to Abyssinia which ended in Tewodros' suicide, from which Yohannes was rewarded in ammunition and artillery. In his earlier years, he rebelled against Tewodros II having risen to power in the 1860s, he maintained the policy of Tewodros, that of continued unification and also implemented a policy of touring entire regions and meetings with governors. Yohannes IV ( Amharic: ዮሐንስ ፬ይ Rabaiy Yōḥānnes horse name Abba Bezbiz also known as Kaśa born Lij Kassa Mercha 11 July 1837 – 10 March 1889) was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1871 to his death in 1889 at the Battle of Gallabat, and king of Tigray from 1869 to 1871. Woizero Silass Dimtsu of Chelekot, Enderta Dejazmatch Mercha Wolde Kidan, Shum of Tembien
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