Ezanas, circa 345-380. Chrysos (Gold, 17 mm, 1.57 g, 12 h), Christian types, posthumous issue, circa 380-after 400 (?). ✠NZΛ✠HΛB✠ACI✠ACY Draped half-length bust of Ezanas to right, wearing tiara and circular earring, holding spear in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; all within circular border. Rev. ✠AΣⲰ✠MITB✠ICI✠AAΗΗ Draped half-length bust of Ezanas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, holding branch in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; all within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 21b. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 33.43 (this coin). Munro-Hay, AC, type 49. Very rare. Struck from slightly worn dies and with a small scratch on the obverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.


One of the most momentous events in Axumite history was no doubt the kingdom's conversion to Christianity during the reign of Ezanas. The full story is given by the Church historian, Rufinus of Aquileia (Hist. Eccl. 10.9-11), who recounts how a Tyrian philosopher named Meropius was on his way back from a trip to India when his ship was attacked while anchored at a Red Sea harbor during the reign of Ezanas' father, Ousanas I. All aboard were slain, with the exception of two boys, named Frumentius and Aedesius, who were found studying under a tree, and taken to serve at the Axumite court. Aedesius, who was simple but of good character, was made cupbearer, while Frumentius became treasurer and secretary.

After the king's death, both men were freed, but the queen beseeched them to stay, as her son was still an infant. Frumentius continued to manage state affairs, and during this time, he made contact with Christian Roman merchants and convinced them to set up impromptu churches in the country. Once the young prince had grown up and taken the reins of government into his own hands, both men returned to the Roman Empire, Aedasius to Tyre (where he would later be ordained as a priest and share the story with Rufinus), while Frumentius headed to Alexandria to report on his actions to the patriarch, Athanasius. The latter consecrated him as a bishop and sent him back to Axum, where Frumentius oversaw the development of the Ethiopian Church.

Whatever the historicity of the account (see the introduction on pp. 217-218 above), it is clear from numismatic and epigraphic sources that Ezanas himself also converted to Christianity at some point during his reign. The most conspicuous change in the coinage was the introduction of the cross, which now replaced the earlier pellet in crescent on all the Axumite chrysoi to follow, while the silver and bronze coinage saw even greater experimentation with Christian motifs and legends over the following centuries. The positioning of the crosses at 3, 6 and 9 and 12 o' clock on Ezana's chrysoi was no coincidence, moreover, as it symbolized the rule of Christ over all four corners of the world. The earliest Axumite Christian gold coinage was struck in two issues (Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 32 & 33). This coin belongs to the latter issue with the king's name in the vocative ('EZANA'), which has led Hahn & Keck to suggest it was struck posthumously to celebrate Ezanas, who was perhaps canonized after his death.