Ezana of Axum was ruler of the Axumite Kingdom from about 320 to 350 AD. Ezana succeeded his father Ella Amida while still a youth and his mother, Sofya served as regent. He is considered the most notable of the Axumite kings, ruling the empire at the height of its power. He was the first ruler of Axum to convert to Christianity, largely to curry favour with the Byzantines who were an important trading partner and ally against the Persians. He appointed his childhood tutor, a Syrian Christian Frumentius, who Ezana would later make head of the church. Ezana also launched several military ventures, most notably a campaign around 350 that destroyed the ancient Kingdom of Kush. Ezana was also noted for erecting several structures and obelisks.