King Ezana's Inscription

Aksum

On the way up to the tombs of Kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskel, you’ll pass a small shack containing a remarkable find that three farmers stumbled upon in 1988: an Ethiopian version of the Rosetta Stone. The pillar, inscribed in Sabaean, Ge’ez and Greek, dates from between AD 330 and AD 350 and records the honorary titles and military victories of the king over his ‘enemies and rebels’.

One section thanks the God of War, thus placing the stone’s age before Ezana’s conversion to Christianity.

The guardian who opens the hut expects a small tip (Birr10 to Birr20).

Suggest an edit to this attraction

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Northern Stelae Field
0.39 MILES
Despite the dizzying grandeur of the numerous rock needles reaching for the stars, it’s what’s under your feet here that’s most important. Amazingly,…
Abba Pentalewon
1.01 MILES
High above Aksum, on top of a tall, narrow peak, is Abba Pentalewon monastery. Tradition states it was built by Abba Pentalewon, one of the Nine Saints…
Ark of the Covenant Chapel
0.56 MILES
In between the old and new St Mary of Zion churches is the real reason for most people’s devotion: a tiny, carefully guarded chapel that houses what most…
St Mary of Zion Churches Complex
0.54 MILES
Though religions have come and gone, Aksum has always remained a holy city – welcome to the centre of the universe for Christian Ethiopians. A church of…
Arabtu Ensessa Church
0.68 MILES
The ‘Four Beasts’ Church, named after the writers of the Biblical Gospels, was rebuilt in the 1950s and is worth a look for the wonderful murals (most…
Gobodura Hill
3.07 MILES
A site known as Wuchate Golo is one of Aksum's four ancient quarries, the birthplace of the famous stelae. Several stelae (all unmarked) were almost…
Old Church of St Mary of Zion
0.58 MILES
The rectangular, men-only old church at the southern end of the complex of churches here is a remarkable example of traditional architecture built by the…
King Bazen's Tomb
0.86 MILES
Despite being the crudest of tombs, roughly hewn into solid rock instead of constructed with fine masonry, this place has a slightly magical feel…

View more attractions

Nearby Aksum attractions

1. Queen of Sheba’s Bath

0.22 MILES

Despite the colourful legends, this large reservoir probably wasn’t where Sheba came to bathe. It was an important reservoir rather than a swimming pool…

2. Northern Stelae Field

0.39 MILES

Despite the dizzying grandeur of the numerous rock needles reaching for the stars, it’s what’s under your feet here that’s most important. Amazingly,…

3. Archaeological Museum

0.4 MILES

This well-laid-out museum inside the Northern Stelae Field contains an interesting variety of objects found in the tombs, ranging from ordinary household…

4. New Church of St Mary of Zion

0.52 MILES

The huge new church of St Mary of Zion was built in the 1960s so women had a place to worship and it displays Haile Selassie’s usual hideous taste. Still…

5. St Mary of Zion Church Museum

0.54 MILES

The museum inside the St Mary of Zion Church complex contains an impressive haul of treasure, including an unsurpassed collection of former Ethiopian…

6. St Mary of Zion Churches Complex

0.54 MILES

Though religions have come and gone, Aksum has always remained a holy city – welcome to the centre of the universe for Christian Ethiopians. A church of…

7. Ark of the Covenant Chapel

0.56 MILES

In between the old and new St Mary of Zion churches is the real reason for most people’s devotion: a tiny, carefully guarded chapel that houses what most…

8. Tombs of Kings Kaleb & Gebre Meskel

0.57 MILES

Set on a small hill 1.8km northeast of the Northern Stelae Field and offering views of the jagged mountains of Adwa are these two tombs that local…

View more attractions