The Kingdom of Aksum The kingdom of Aksum becomes an international trading power and adopts Christianity.

Main Idea & Why it Matters The kingdom of Aksum became an international trading power and adopted Christianity. Ancient Aksum, which is now Ethiopia, is still a center of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church.

Aksum’s Geography Kingdom replaces Kush in East Africa Blend of Africans and Arabs Located on Horn of Africa in modern day Ethiopia and Eritrea Trading kingdom linking Africa and Indian Ocean trade routes

The Origins of Aksum Legend Traces the founding of Aksum and the Ethiopian royal dynasty to the son of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba Dynasty lasts into 20th century Land first mentioned in Greek guidebook, in AD 100 Rulers take control of areas around Blue Nile and Red Sea

Aksum Controls International Trade Aksum is hub for caravan routes to Egypt and Meroe Adulis, chief port, has access to Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean Aksumite merchants traded necessities and luxuries Salt Rhino horns, tortoise shells, ivory, emeralds, gold Import cloth, olive oil, wine, copper, brass, iron

Expansion Under Ezana Reaches height under the rule of Ezana Ruled from 325 AD to 360 Conquers part of Arabian peninsula, now Yemen Conquered Kushites and burned Meroe to ground in 350 AD

Why was it important for Aksum to control territory in Arabia? It protected Aksum’s trade routes to Asia.

Pillars of Aksum Exploits recorded on stone pillars, called stelae, throughout the empire Built as monuments or tomb markers Celebrates their achievements No mortar used Tallest was 100 feet tall One still standing is almost 70’ Made of solid granite False doors, windows, and timber beams carved into stone

Ezana’s Exploits on a Stele Written on stele: “I pursued the fugitives 23 days slaying some of them and capturing others and taking booty from them…I burnt their towns.” Another inscription describes that he returned with 3,112 head of cattle and 6,224 sheep.

Religion of Aksum Before Ezana Believe in one god and that the king descended from him Animist beliefs Honored dead ancestors Christianity spreads to Aksum through Ezana

Aksum Becomes Christian Young King Ezana educated by Christian man from Syria As ruler, Ezana declares Christianity as kingdom’s official religion Aksum, now part of Ethiopia, still home to millions of Christians

Christianity in Ethiopia See churches carved in 1200s out of solid rock

Aksumite Innovations Written language Called “Ge’ez” Only ancient African kingdom to have written language besides Egypt and Meroe Inscription on Ezana’s stele

Aksumite Innovation First sub-Saharan state to mint coins Bronze, silver, or gold Coin bears the image of Ezana and imprinted phrase “May the country be satisfied”

Aksumite Innovations in Agriculture Terrace farming Step-like ridges constructed on mountain slopes Built irrigation canals and dams

Aksum Culture Blended cultural traditions of Arab peoples and Kushites Adulis population: Egyptian, Arabian, Greek, Roman, Persian, Indian Greek is international language; Aksumites trade gold to Rome

Fall of Aksum Fall victim to Muslims invasions 710 Muslims destroy Adulis Retreat to mountains in northern Ethiopia and see decline Isolated Environment depleted of forests and soil erosion

Cause and Effect p. 31 1. Aksum had access to the Red Sea, Blue Nile, and White Nile Aksum’s location and expansion made it an important trading center. 2. The port city of Adulis included people from Aksum’s trading partners. Merchants exchanged raw materials, goods, and ideas. Among the latter was the idea of Christianity.

Cause/effect 3. The Aksumites created terrace farming, which retained water and prevented erosion. Their land was hilly. 4. Islamic invaders seized footholds in Africa, destroyed Adulis, and spread the religion of Islam. The conquest cut Aksum off from its major ports and the kingdom declined as an international trading power. The spread of Islam isolated Aksum from other Christian settlements.

Cause/effect 5. Aksum’s new geographic location led to its decline as a power. To escape the Muslims, Askum’s leaders moved their capital to an isolated area over the mountains.