In the context of Ethiopia, "Negus" (ንጉሥ) is a title signifying a ruler, king, or emperor, particularly within the Axumite and Solomonic Dynasties. It's a Semitic term related to "king" or "ruler," with cognates found in various other Semitic languages like Aramaic and Akkadian. The most famous usage is "Negusa Nagast" (ንጉሥ ንጉሥ), meaning "King of Kings" and the title held by Ethiopian emperors.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
General meaning:
"Negus" translates to "king" or "ruler" in the Ge'ez language, an ancient Semitic language of Ethiopia.
Historical context:
Prior to the Solomonic Dynasty, many Axumite and Zagwe rulers were known as "Negus".
Negusa Nagast:
This title, meaning "King of Kings" or "Emperor," is the most prominent usage of the word, particularly associated with the Solomonic Dynasty. The most famous holder of this title was Haile Selassie, whose full title was "By the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, King of Kings of Ethiopia, Lord of Lords, Elect of God," according to Wikipedia.
Regional titles:
"Negus" could also be used for regional rulers within the Ethiopian empire. For example, "Bahr Negus" (ባሕር ንጉሥ, "King of the Sea") was a title for the ruler of the territories north of the Mareb River, according to Wikipedia.
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