Pomare II
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pōmare II, King of Tahiti (1782 - 1821), fully Tu Tunuieaiteatua Pomare II or in modern orthography Tū Tū-nui-ʻēʻa-i-te-atua Pōmare II, somewhere in history misspelled as Tu Tunuiea'aite-a-tua and insipidly copied from there, was the second king of Tahiti between 1782 and 1821. He was installed by his father Pōmare I at Tarahoi, 13 February 1791. He ruled under regency from 1782 to 1803.
Initially recognised as supreme sovereign and Ariʻi-maro-ʻura by the ruler of Huahine, he was subsequently forced to take refuge in Moʻorea 22 December 1808, but returned and defeated his enemies at the Battle of Te Feipī, 15 November 1815. He was thereafter recognised as undisputed king (Te Ariʻi-nui-o-Tahiti) of Tahiti, Moʻorea and its dependencies.
Pōmare II was married first before March 1797 (betrothed January 1792) to Queen Tetua-nui Taro-vahine Ariʻi of Vaiari (now Papeari), who died at ʻArue, 21 July 1806.
He was baptised 16 May 1819 at the Royal Chapel, Papeʻete - Christianity and the support of English missionaries aided the centralisation of monarchic power.
Pomare II died of drink-related causes at Motu Uta, Moʻorea, 7 December 1821.
He was succeeded by Teriʻi-ta-ria Pōmare III, who reigned 1821-1827.
