Bitwoded
Bitwoded ( Ethiop . ቢትወደድ ) is one of the oldest titles for secular dignitaries at the court of the emperors of Ethiopia . It was only awarded by the emperor to personalities who were familiar and close to him. The bearers of this title had great power in imperial Ethiopia .
function
In the Middle Ages, the emperor appointed two Bitwoded to act as a kind of deputy. While one Bitwoded stayed at the imperial court to conduct the most important state affairs, the second Bitwoded accompanied the Emperor on his travels and campaigns. In imperial deliberations, the Bitwoded had the third rank after the Emperor and the Aqabe Seat , one of the highest ecclesiastical dignitaries.
history
After 1434 under Emperor Zera Yaqob , women also exercised the function of Bitwoded with the daughters of this emperor for the first and only time in Ethiopian history. Between 1563 and 1597 at the time of Emperor Serse Dengel , the title of Bitwoded was temporarily not awarded. Under later emperors, the title of Bitwoded was associated with the administration of the Begemdir province .
Change of concept
Around 1900 Bitwoded became an honorary title, which stood between a Ras and a Dejazmach and was given particularly frequently to the Negus of Shewa . During this time, Emperor Menelik II introduced the title of Ras Bitwoded , which was higher than that of Ras and has since exercised the function of the highest imperial advisor.