CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA Aksum

Introduction As populations grew, societies became more complex. People began to trade with other regions and the income from trade helped build kingdoms, like those in East Africa. Early trading civilizations developed on or near a coastline, providing access to important markets in Arabia, India and East Asia.

The beginning About 2,000 years ago Aksum developed in what is now Ethiopia. The kingdom rose to power c. 100 BCE. It developed along the Red Sea and the Blue Nile and came to control trade in this region. Around 330, Axum conquered the Kingdom of Kush.

Trade Aksum was the ideal location for international trade. Located along the Red Sea allowed for trade east, to Asia and north to Middle East and Europe. They controlled the ivory and incense trade to India and the Byzantine Empire in Europe. By 200, the kingdom controlled a trade network that stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to India.

Growth and Development Ideas, as well as goods, traveled along trade routes. In the 300s, many people in Aksum became Christian as news about the religion spread. Aksum became a center of the early Ethiopian Christian Church. Adulis was a major market for ivory and elephants and became an important commercial center. Power was due to its strategic location.

Religion in Aksum Aksum was a Christian kingdom. Christianity was introduced to the kingdom by travelers from other continents. Kings converted to Christianity, increasing contact between eastern Africa and the Mediterranean region. The religion still thrives in Ethiopia today (where Aksum was located).

Achievements The tombs for royalty have large steles, or stone monuments that have false doors and windows. This became the trademark of the civilization. The stele could be 100 feet tall. The first Christian king in Aksum was King Ezana. Axum fought Persia for control of Yemen and Arabia.

Decline Aksum lost much of its trade because the Muslim Arabians preferred to trade with other Muslim nations. Circa 950, Arabs took control of much of the trade and the only thing left of the empire was Ethiopia left as the sole African Christian state.

Kingdom of Axum When? Began around the early 300’s AD. Where? Describe the relative location of this kingdom. They conquered the Kush Located in the modern day country of ETHIOPIA