Ousanas (fl. 320) was a King of Axum. Stuart Munro-Hay believes that it is "very likely" that Ousanas is the king to whom Aedesius and Frumentius were brought. In Eritrean and Ethiopian tradition, this king is called Ella Allada or Ella Amida.[1]Ella Amida would then be his throne name, although Ousanas is the name that appears on his coins. If this identification is correct, then it was during his reign that Christianity was introduced to Axum and the surrounding territories.
Ousanas may have had a "relatively long reign" and campaigned in Nubia.[2] It is also possible that he was briefly ousted by Wazeba, a usurper.[2]
W.R.O. Hahn, in a study published in 1983, identifies Sembrouthes, who is known only from an inscription found in Daqqi Mahari in modern Eritrea, with Ousanas. If correct, this would give Ousanas a reign of at least 27 years.[3]
^Munro-Hay, Aksum: An African Civilization of Late Antiquity (Edinburgh: University Press, 1991), p. 77. (Online text.)
^ abHahn, Wolfgang; West, Vincent (2016). Sylloge of Aksumite Coins in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Oxford: Ashmolean. p. 11.
^As cited in Munro-Hay, Excavations at Axum (London: British Institute in Eastern Africa, 1989), p. 22.
Ousanas (fl. 320) was a King of Axum. Stuart Munro-Hay believes that it is "very likely" that Ousanas is the king to whom Aedesius and Frumentius were...
religion. Tradition states that Ezana succeeded his father Ella Amida (Ousanas) as king while still a child but his mother, Sofya then served as regent...
design was restored by Ousanas. There is one coin issue that combines a die from Wazeba on the obverse and a die from Ousanas on the reverse. Munro-Hay...
perhaps by king Ousanas (r. c. 310–330). An inscription from Aksum mentioning Kush as vassal kingdom may also be attributed to Ousanas. The trilingual...
Ousas, also Ousanas II (c. 500), was a king of the Kingdom of Aksum. He succeeded Nezool atop the throne. Ousas is primarily known from the coins that...
incorporated large panels at the sides and back with inscriptions, attributed to Ousanas, Ezana, Kaleb, and his son Wazeba, serving as victory monuments documenting...
"Zaqarnas") c. 270 – 300 Endubis 310-315 Aphilas 315-320 Wazeba 320-328 Ousanas 328-350 Ezana his mother Sofya of Axum was regent during his minority c...
thrones incorporated large panels with inscriptions, some attributed to Ousanas, Ezana, Kaleb, and his son Wazeba, chronicling their wars and serving as...
4th century, between Aphilas and Ezana. Hahn further identifies him with Ousanas or the legendary Ella Amida. Munro-Hay, "The Chronology of Aksum: A Reappraisal...
around the king's head, as was done for the silver coins of Aphilas and Ousanas. Munro-Hay regretfully notes that "because of the conditions in which many...
and regent of the Kingdom of Axum. She was married to king Ella Amida (Ousanas). She was widowed in c. 330, and her son, Ezana of Axum, succeeded her...
from c. 295 until c. 620: Endybis, Aphilas, Ousanas I, WZB, Ezana, Ouazebas, Eon, MHDYS, Ebana, Nezana, Ousanas II, Kaleb, Armah, Ella Gabaz, Israel, Gersem...
Aphilas, King (f. early 4th century) Wazeba, King (f. early 4th century) Ousanas, King (c.320) Ezana, King (c.333–c.356) MHDYS, King (c.350) Ouazebas, King...
list, then this suggests that "Ahywa" is another name for Sofya, wife of Ousanas. A book titled Gedle Abreha and Asbeha from the Church of Abreha wa-Atsbeha...
marking the period of territorial expansion, together with his predecessor Ousanas. Himyar Jewish king Dhu Nuwas attempted to invade Yemen by massacring Aksumite...
with "Ela Ameda" or Ousanas. This identification allows for Tafari's list to match with archaeological evidence that shows Ousanas was succeeded by his...
rise to the Arian Controversy. Tiridates III, King of Armenia (287–330) Ousanas, King of Axum (c.310-c.320) Huai, Emperor of China (307 - 313) Min, Emperor...
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