A major empire of the ancient world, the kingdom of Aksum arose in Ethiopia during the first century C.E. This wealthy African civilization thrived for centuries, controlling a large territorial state and access to vast trade routes linking the Roman Empire to the Middle East and India.
Who is Aksum and what is his contribution to the African literature?
The Aksumites developed Africa’s only indigenous written script, Ge’ez. They traded with Egypt, the eastern Mediterranean and Arabia. Despite its power and reputation—it was described by a Persian writer as one of the four greatest powers in the world at the time—very little is known about Aksum.
Why is Axum significant in African history?
Axum became the first state in Africa to adopt Christianity as its official faith and at the time was among only a handful of Christian states in the world. Roman Emperor Constantine embraced the faith in 312 A.D. Other small Christian states were scattered around the eastern Mediterranean region.
What was Aksum known for?
Aksum managed trade between India and the Mediterranean in ivory, gold, emeralds, silk, spices, agricultural products, salt, exotic animals, manufactured goods, and much more. In the first century CE, Aksum flourished. They could afford to build a powerful navy to patrol the Red Sea and protect their trade routes.
What made Aksum one of the most successful civilizations in Africa?
Aksum was one of the more advanced cultures of Ancient Africa. They developed a written language and minted their own coins. They also developed terraced farming and irrigation, which allowed them to farm the slopes of the local mountains, making their hilly land more productive.
Why was Aksum so powerful?
The kingdom of Aksum was able to develop a strong naval military because of its large population, powerful weapons, and control over the Red Sea. Its powerful military allowed for Aksum to expand their frontiers and patrol their trade routes.
What was King Ezana known for?
Ezana (active early to middle 4th century) was an Ethiopian king during the Axumite period. His reign marked a turning point in Ethiopian history because Christianity became the state religion when he became the first Christian king.
What is the history of Axum?
The African kingdom of Axum (also Aksum) was located on the northern edge of the highland zone of the Red Sea coast, just above the horn of Africa. It was founded in the 1st century CE, flourished from the 3rd to 6th century CE, and then survived as a much smaller political entity into the 8th century CE.
When was the kingdom of Axum in Africa?
The Kingdom of Axum was a trading empire with its hub in Eritrea and northern Ethiopia. It existed approximately 100–940 AD, growing from the Iron Age proto-Axumite period c. fourth century BC to achieve prominence by the first century AD.
Why was Aksum an important trading center?
This gave Aksum a cultural connection to the Christian kingdoms that were growing more powerful across Europe, which soon included the Byzantine Empire. The desire to increase the power of Christianity helped secure Aksum as the go-to trade center for Christian kingdoms, furthering the status of the trade nation.
What was the impact of trade on the city states of East Africa?
What was the impact of trade on the city-states of East Africa? Trade was responsible for bringing different cultures to the cities, which led to the spread of Islam. Trade also helped change the regions architecture and assisted in the development of the Swahili language.
What role did trade routes play in the development of Africa?
The trade routes of Ancient Africa played an important role in the economy of many African Empires. Goods from Western and Central Africa were traded across trade routes to faraway places like Europe, the Middle East, and India. What did they trade? The main items traded were gold and salt.
Which was the primary cause of Aksum’s rise to greatness?
What was the primary basis of Aksum’s wealth? They controlled extensive trade routes that connected many cultures. … It was a trade center conveniently located between Asia and Europe.
Why is Aksum worth preserving?
Aksum. information about the civilization and the lifestyles of the people who lived there. On top of that, there are many historical monuments found there that would be tragically lost if the ruins were not preserved for the future.
Who was Ezana and what did he accomplish?
Ezana was the first monarch of the Kingdom of Aksum to embrace Christianity, after he was converted by his slave-teacher, Frumentius.
What was the effect of Aksum having access to the Red Sea Blue Nile and White Nile?
Cause: Aksum had access to the red sea, blue nile, and white nile. Effect: -Became a powerful trading center.