He was forced by Menelik, who defeated him and annexed his province to his rule in 6 AD. He adopted the name "Michael". Later, his father's background influenced his political future, both from his Islamic roots and his military strength, as he commanded over 100 fighters. As was customary for Ethiopian emperors, they used marriage alliances to solidify political alliances and gain the loyalty of powerful leaders. Menelik married Ras Michael to his daughter, "Shwarqa". Menelik had no sons, so the competition for his succession was confined to his grandchildren and daughters. When his last grandson, Ausaana Sijid, died, only Iyasu remained, and he effectively began his reign before the death of the Emperor in 1916 AD, continuing for five years. Although this period of Ethiopian history was full of events, Iyasu's opponents succeeded in distorting his image and erasing his reign from memory. Three main forces conspired against him: 1) A group of Shoan leaders and nobles whose interests and rule Iyasu threatened. 2) The three European powers - Britain, France, and Italy - who feared that Iyasu would disrupt their arrangements for Ethiopia and the neighboring colonies. 3) The Orthodox Church, which was uncomfortable with the son of a leader whose father was Muslim and whose faith in Christianity was questionable, holding the reins of power. In the short period he ruled, and even before he effectively held power in 1913 AD, Iyasu's star rose, and he gained great popularity among the people, who admired his handsomeness, his rhetorical talents, and his governing approach, which involved constant tours of the provinces and regions. Iyasu would only stay in Addis Ababa for short periods, during which he would prepare for inspection visits that lasted weeks, and sometimes months, to the provinces, especially southern and eastern Ethiopia. Iyasu realized that the Emperor's illness had strengthened the provincial rulers and made them a barrier between the authority in Addis Ababa and the citizens. Therefore, by directly contacting them, he sought to remove this barrier, shedding the imperial rituals and traveling on horseback, earning him the nickname "the traveler." During all these tours, he met directly with the people and listened to them.