Negus Ezana: Revisiting the Christianisation of Aksum

A comprehensive re-examination of the Christianisation of Aksum during Negus Ezana’s reign reveals that his conversion and the subsequent ordination of Frumentius as Ethiopia’s first Abuna can be substantiated through archaeological, epigraphic, and numismatic evidence. This study challenges traditional narratives by integrating Aksumite Christianity into broader early Christian histories, paralleling the recognition of Vandal episodes in Christian scholarship. Utilizing a multi-method approach—primarily document analysis, cultural historiography, and religious archaeology—the research reconstructs the complex interplay between emerging Christian orthodoxy and Aksum’s Judaic heritage. The findings bridge gaps in biblical studies and archaeological records, offering a nuanced framework for understanding Ethiopia’s early Christian origins.

Rukuni, R. (2021). Negus Ezana: Revisiting the Christianisation of Aksum. Verbum et Ecclesia, 42(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v42i1.2083