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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

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

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

14. 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”

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.