Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia. Born 17th of August 1844 and died 12 December 1913.

Responsible for the beginnings of "modernisation" of Ethiopia, Ethiopia was transformed into a "modern" empire state under his reign, completed in 1898. Ethiopia was expanded to the South and East during his rule.

During this time, Ethiopia repelled the first Italian invasion. With the captured white Italian soldiers used as slaves within Ethiopia afterwards.

Source: wikipedia