Society, economy & sport

King Ezana converts Aksum to Christianity

c. 330 CE

Around 330 AD King Ezana of Aksum, the kingdom in northern Ethiopia and Eritrea, adopted Christianity after being taught by the Syrian Frumentius, who was consecrated bishop by Athanasius of Alexandria. Aksum controlled the Red Sea trade between Rome, Arabia and India, minted its own gold coins, and built obelisks up to 33 metres high over the graves of its kings. It was one of the earliest states to adopt Christianity, soon after Armenia, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church dates from this time. Ezana's inscriptions are in Greek, Ge'ez and South Arabian script.

Open on the timeline

Before and after

More in Society, economy & sport

The era

This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 4th century.