v11_2311 - ÉRYTHRÉE - ROYAUME D'ITALIE - HUMBERT Ier 2 lires 1890 Rome

ERITREA - KINGDOM OF ITALY - UMBERTO I

(20/01/1878-29/07/1900)

Humbert (1844-1900) was the son of Victor-Emmanuel II and Marie-Adélaïde de Habsbourg. He succeeded his father in 1878. He had married his cousin Marguerite de Savoie (1851-1926). He was assassinated by Gaétan Bresci on July 29, 1900. Under his reign, Italy embarked on the colonial adventure. In 1885, the Italians occupied part of East Africa - these territories were later integrated into the colony of Eritrea - and established a protectorate in Somalia. The severe defeat of the Italians of Adoua in 1896 by the troops of Negus Menelik II forced them to recognize the independence of Ethiopia..