Ras (Amharic:ራስ,romanized: ras,lit. 'head' compare withArabicRais orHebrewRosh), is aroyal title in theEthiopian Semitic languages.[1] It is one of the powerful non-imperial titles.
HistorianHarold G. Marcus equates the Ras title to aduke;[citation needed] others have compared it to "prince".[2]
The combined title ofLeul Ras (Amharic: ልዑል ራስ) was given to the heads of the cadet branches of the Imperial dynasty, such as the Princes ofGojjam,Tigray,RasTafari Makonnen and theSelalle sub-branch of the last reigning Shewan Branch, and meaning "Lord of Lords", the highest title of lord.