Israel of Axum


Israel was a king of Axum. He is primarily known through the coins minted during his reign.
The Kebra Nagast and Ethiopian historical tradition states that Kaleb had two sons, Gabra Masqal and Israel. Skeptical that this Israel was actually the son of King Kaleb, Munro-Hay suggests that Israel may have been better than the other kings between him and Kaleb, and tradition compressed the succession. Richard Pankhurst mentions the name of this king as an early example of Judaic influence in Ethiopian culture.