Balthazar, also called Balthasar, was, according to Christian tradition, one of the three biblical Magi (also known as wise men or kings) along with Caspar and Melchior who visited the infant Jesus after he was born. Balthazar is traditionally referred to as the King of Arabia and gave the gift of myrrh to Jesus. In the Catholic Church, he is regarded as a saint (as are the other two Magi). According to church tradition, Balthasar is often represented as a king from Ethiopia or Saba, “the land of spices”, and is frequently depicted as a Middle Eastern or black man in art.
As part of the Magi, Balthazar followed the Star of Bethlehem first to the palace of Herod the Great, who instructed them to return to him when they had found the Child Jesus. When they arrived at the manger, the Magi worshipped him and presented their gifts. Balthazar gave the gift of myrrh. Following his return to his own country, avoiding King Herod, it is purported that Balthazar celebrated Christmas with the other members of the Magi in Armenia in 54 A.D. but later died on 6 January 55 A.D. The feast day of Balthazar is also 6 January, as the date of his death.
The three named Magi are venerated as saints and martyrs and are celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany in the West. The Wise Men’s gifts were rare and precious commodities of the age. Frankincense was an aromatic resin from Arabic and East African trees, used for incense. Myrrh was another resin, which came from Arabia. Both were used in perfumes and for embalming, and myrrh was also used in the anointing of Kings.
Source: Wikipedia and www.reinodeaksum.com