PG The Kingdom of Aksum

Rise of Aksum Located south of Kush near the Red Sea  Modern day Eritrea and Ethiopia Arab traders from across the Mediterranean established trading settlements  Seeking ivory to trade with Persia  Brought silks, textiles, and spices from eastern trade routes  Eventually trade settlements became colonies of farmers and traders

Zoskales (ZAHS-kuh-leez) believed to be the first king of Aksum Seized land along the Red Sea and lands on the southwestern Arabian Peninsula Its location made it an international trading power  Traders from Egypt, Arabia, Persia, India, and the Roman Empire Reached its height under Ezana (AY-zah-nah) in A.D.  Conquered Kush and what is modern day Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula

An International Culture Blended traditions of Arab peoples who crossed the Red Sea and Kushites they settled amongst Port cities were particularly cosmopolitan, attracting people from all over the world  Greek was the international language of the time

Aksumite Religion Believed in one God- Mahrem  Believed their king descended directly from him Animalists- worshiped the spirits of nature and honored their dead ancestors. Offered sacrifices to spirits, Mahrem, and Greek god of war, Ares. Merchants exchanged ideas as well as goods, allowing for the spread of Christianity

Aksum Becomes Christian Christianity began in Palestine about A.D. 30  Spread through Roman Empire and then to Africa and eventually Aksum Ezana became king as an infant and was educated by a Christian man from Syria while his Mother ran the kingdom Ezana converted and made Christianity the official religion as soon as he took over  Ethiopia is still home to millions of Christians

Aksumite Innovations Only ancient African kingdom to develop a written language First state south of the Sahara to mint its own coins Created terrace farming  Terraces, or steplike ridges constructed on mountain slopes, helped the soil retain water and prevented it from being washed downhill Dug canals to channel water from mountain streams into the fields Built dams and cisterns to hold water.

Terrace Farming

The Fall of Aksum Kingdom lasted for 800 years, but eventually fell to Islamic invaders Between 632 an 750 Islamic invaders conquered vast territories in the Mediterranean Initially Aksum was left alone because they provided protection for Muhammad’s family Aksum became isolated from trade and other Christian nations as Islamic invaders moved in to Africa in 710  Isolation as well as soil and forest depletion led to decline as a world power