Taytu Bitul

Ethiopian Empress who led resistance against Italian colonization and preserved national sovereignty.

Taytu Bitul (c. 1851–1918) was the Empress of Ethiopia and wife of Emperor Menelik II. A key political figure, she played a decisive role in Ethiopia’s victory at the Battle of Adwa (1896), which thwarted Italian colonial ambitions and secured Ethiopia’s independence. Taytu advocated for centralized governance and modernization, founding Addis Ababa as the capital city. She also led military campaigns independently, including the capture of the strategic fort of Mek’ele. Her influence extended to diplomacy, negotiating treaties with European powers to protect Ethiopia’s sovereignty. Taytu’s legacy as a warrior-queen and stateswoman remains a symbol of African resistance. Discover her story here.