having him pushed from a cliff top near Lake Tana in 1742. Death Iyasu fell seriously ill in May, 1755, and died the next month. It was generally believed that he had been poisoned by the sister of Melmal Iyasu, in revenge for her brother's death. When the Empress Mentewab sought funds from the treasury for his funeral, only a few dinars could be found. Saddened by this situation, she threatened to retire to her palace convent at Qusquam, but a group of nobles persuaded her to instead become regent for her grandson Iyoas I. Family First marriage and descendants Iyasu II had two wives. The first Amhara woman, with whom he had three sons named Adigo, Hailu and Atseku and one daughter Wald Saala. This woman wished to take part in the government of Ethiopia and as a result she and her sons were sent to the fortress of Wanhi on the orders of Mentewab. ● Adigo was his Iyasu's firstborn son. Adigo's son, Salomon II reigned as Emperor between 1777 and 1779 during the turbulent Zemene Mesafint era. Salomon's son, Baeda Maryam II was briefly on the throne for a few months in 1795. ● Hailu was his second son. ● Atseku was his third son. Atseku's son, Iyasu III reigned as Emperor between 1784 and 1788 ● Wald Saala was Iyasu's first daughter. Second marriage and descendants Mentewab wished to make an alliance with the "Galla" people (Oromo people) and as such chose a second wife for Iyasu II who was from "Galla land". The second wife was a daughter of Amitzo, a member of the Edjaw tribe. The wife was christened "Bersabeh" and had a son who later succeeded Iyasu II as Iyoas I. Notes References 1723 births 1755 deaths 18th-century emperors of Ethiopia 18th-century monarchs in Africa Solomonic dynasty Child monarchs from sub-Saharan Africa People from Gondar