GLOBAL HISTORY: SPICONARDI East African Kingdoms

Axum Major trading empire  Aided in the commerce between the Roman Empire and India  Traded slaves, ivory, gold, salt, and iron Above: Axum during the 3 rd century Left: Coins with a Greek inscription from Axum

Axum Religion  Axum was the first major empire to convert to Christianity  Christianity was introduced by shipwrecked Syrians  Ethiopian Orthodox Church  Beliefs Jesus is 100% divine Coptic ChurchCoptic Church  Christian churches that believe Jesus had only a single, divine nature Deeper connection to Judaism; emphasis on the Old Testament The Church of the Tablet. The Ethiopian church claims it houses the original Ark of the Covenant

Axum Religion  Introduction of Islam  Location next to Arabia and trade with Muslims brought Islam to Axum Many Muslims fled to Axum when they were driven from Mecca  Coptic Church wanted to maintain Christian nature of Axum Government reorganized to extend into outlying areas Monasteries built to teach the Coptic Christian faith Church of Saint George. One of the eleven monolithic churches in the world What does monolithic mean?

Church of Saint George

Axum Architecture  Used stone instead of mud bricks to construct buildings (unique for this part of the world)  Stelae  obelisk shaped pillars built to celebrate king’s conquests and Axum’s greatness

The Shona of Great Zimbabwe Rise to Power  Originally derived wealth from herds of cattle  Then found gold in central part of kingdom  Gold trade reached its height between 1400 – 1500  Location, Location, Location  Like Ghana located between trading posts, but on Indian Ocean  Evidence of trade with Syria, and Persia

The Shona of Great Zimbabwe The Great Enclosure  Massive wall 4-stories high and 15 feet thick  Protected the king  Stonework so precise that no mortar was needed

The Shona of Great Zimbabwe Cities  Consisted of two parts  Residences for the elite Homes made of stone  Residences for the commoners Homes made of mud and thatch

The Shona of Great Zimbabwe Disappearance  Left the Great Enclosure for reasons unknown  Historians best guess… Cattle overgrazed and the Shona need to find new land to feed it’s people

AT THE END OF THE DAY…. At the end of the day, what is the most important thing you should know about:  Axum  Great Zimbabwe