Greek and Geʿez in the propaganda of King ʿEzana of Axum: religion and diplomacy in late antiquity

King ʿEzana of Axum, who ruled in the 4th century AD, employed both Greek and Geʿez in his inscriptions, reflecting strategic religious and diplomatic choices. The study reveals that Greek was likely used to appeal to a broader audience, including Hellenized elites or foreign allies, while Geʿez invocations emphasized indigenous religious practices, possibly to assert cultural identity. This dual-lingual approach suggests a nuanced balance between local traditions and external influences during his reign.

Rubin, Z. (2012). Greek and Geʿez in the propaganda of King ʿEzana of Axum: religion and diplomacy in late antiquity. Semitica et Classica, 5, 139–150. https://doi.org/10.1484/j.sec.1.103052