atse

Atse is an Ethiopian honorific used to designate the emperor of the Ethiopian Empire. The term is found in Amharic and Ge’ez sources and is traditionally translated as “emperor” or “king.” It denoted the supreme ruler who held both political and religious authority within the Solomonic dynasty, which claimed descent from the biblical Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.

Historically, Atse was the central figure in imperial governance, ceremonial life, and court authority from the medieval period until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. In chronicles, decrees, and ecclesiastical contexts, the emperor was addressed as Atse, with the ruler’s name following the title.

In contemporary usage, Atse persists as a cultural symbol and may appear as a given name or honorific in Ethiopia and among the Ethiopian diaspora. The term remains distinct from Nəgəś (Negus), which refers to regional rulers or subordinate kings rather than the supreme emperor.

See also: Emperor of Ethiopia; Solomonic dynasty; Amharic language.