Ezana of Axum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ezana
King of Axum
Predecessor	Ousanas
Successor	MHDYS

Ezana (Ge'ez: ዒዛና ‘Ezana, also spelled Aezana or Aizan) was a very important ruler of the Kingdom of Axum. This ancient kingdom was located in what is now Eritrea and the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. Ezana ruled from about 320 AD to 360 AD. He used the official title "king of Saba and Salhen, Himyar and Dhu-Raydan". Stories say that Ezana became king when he was still a child. His mother, Sofya, ruled for him until he was old enough to take over. He also conquered the Kingdom of Kush around the year 350 AD.

Ezana's Rule

Ezana was the first king of Axum to become a Christian. He was also the first king after Za Haqala (who might have been Zoskales) to be mentioned by historians of his time. Because of this, many people say he was the most famous Axumite king before Kaleb.

Becoming Christian

When Ezana was young, he thought of himself as a son of Mars, who was a god in ancient Roman beliefs. However, later writings show that he became more and more interested in Christianity. His teacher when he was a child was a Syrian Christian named Frumentius. Frumentius later became the leader of the Ethiopian Church.

A letter still exists from the Roman emperor Constantius II. This emperor followed a different Christian belief called Arianism. The letter was sent to Ezana and his brother Saizana. It asked them to send Frumentius to Alexandria to be checked for wrong teachings. The emperor wanted Frumentius to be replaced by Theophilos the Indian. Historians believe that Ezana either said no or simply ignored this request.

Military Campaigns

Ezana also led several military attacks. He wrote about these campaigns in his inscriptions. Two inscriptions found on a tall stone monument called a stela in Ge'ez language are from Meroë. People think these inscriptions show that Axum had a military campaign there in the fourth century. This could have happened during Ezana's rule or even before him, by a king like Ousanas.

Some experts believe these inscriptions prove that the Axumites destroyed the kingdom of Meroë. However, other experts point out that old discoveries show Meroë was already getting weaker around 300 AD. Also, some think the stela means Axum helped Meroë stop a rebellion by the Nuba people. We don't have enough clear proof yet to know which idea is completely correct.

Ezana's Coins

Some of the Axumite coins made during Ezana's time have a special saying in Greek. It says ΤΟΥΤΟ ΑΡΕΣΗ ΤΗ ΧΩΡΑ, which means "May this please the country." Historians say this is a nice and unique part of Axumite coins. It shows that the king cared about what his people wanted and if they were happy.

Many coins with Ezana's name were found in India in the late 1990s. This shows that Axum had trade connections with India. A cool thing about these coins is how they changed. At first, they had symbols of old gods, like a disc and a crescent moon. Later, they started to show a cross, which is a Christian symbol. Ezana is also known for building many tall stone monuments called stelae and obelisks.

Ezana's Legacy

Ezana's name is not found in the traditional lists of Ethiopian kings. However, his coins clearly show his name. According to tradition, Emperors Abreha and Asbeha ruled Ethiopia when Christianity first arrived. It's possible that these names were later given to Ezana and his brother, or that these were their baptismal names (names given when they became Christian).

Ezana and his brother, Saizana, are considered saints by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Their special day is celebrated on the first of October.

See also

In Spanish: Ezana para niños