Ezana of Axum

Negus Ezana
ዒዛና
Ἠεζάνα τῆς Ἀξωμιτῆς
Gold coin of Ezana of Axum
King of Axum
Reign320s – c. 360 AD
PredecessorOusanas
SuccessorMHDYS
Ezana (Aizan)
King
Honored inCatholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Feast1 October and 27 October

Ezana (Ge'ez: ዔዛና, ‘Ezana, unvocalized ዐዘነ ‘zn), (Ancient Greek: Ἠεζάνα, Aezana) was the ruler of the Kingdom of Aksum (320s – c. 360 AD). One of the best-documented rulers of Aksum, Ezana is important as he is the country's first king to embrace Christianity and make it the official religion. Tradition states that Ezana succeeded his father Ella Amida (Ousanas) as king while still a child but his mother, Sofya then served as regent until he came of age.