Career
He was the brother of his predecessor Ras Yimam. The missionary Samuel Gobat had a low opinion of Marye. He wrote in his journal, "A character worse then is attributed to Mariam, cannot be well given to a prince.
He does justice to none.
Far from punishing a soldier for robbing or killing his companion, he publicly commends him, as a man of courage. lieutenant is said that he has ordered all of his soldiers, on entering Oubea"s territories, to kill every human being they meet, without distinction of age or sexual
Threatening with death the soldier, known to have spared a single person in his power." However Gobat"s opinion may have been influenced by a raid Marye"s men made on Gondar 14 May 1830, which he described immediately before this passage. During the rule of his father, Ras Yejju, Marye challenged his father"s authority with an open rebellion.
Marye was defeated in battle.
Marye had his capital in Debre Tabor, from 1828 to 1831. The struggle over control of these territories continued long after Marye"s death, eventually involving Empress Menen Liben Amede. Marye"s final military campaign was against Ras Sabagadis of Agame, who had succeeded Wolda Selassie as the dominant warlord of Tigray.
Supported by Wube Haile Maryam of Semien and Goshu of Gojjam, Marye led his army across the Takazze River and defeated Sebagadis at the Battle of Debre Abbay (14 February 1831).
However, Ras Marye was killed in the battle, and Sebagadis surrendered to Wube.
