The kingdom of Aksum traded frankincense, myrrh, ivory and tortoise shell , while receiving imports of copper, bronze, silver, gold and wine. Through control of Adulis, Aksum became extremely wealthy through stiff tariffs on goods, which could be seen through its stunning architecture, monuments and art.
What kinds of trade goods were exchanged through Aksum?
Aksum managed trade between India and the Mediterranean in ivory, gold, emeralds, silk, spices, crops, salt, exotic animals , manufactured goods, and much more.
Why was Aksum a major center of trade?
The economically important northern Silk Road and southern Spice (Eastern) trade routes. The sea routes around the horn of Africa and the Indian sub-continent made Aksum an important trading port for nearly a millennium.
How did Aksum become wealthy?
Aksum’s wealth was derived from its location on the Red Sea , which allowed the Aksumites to exchange spices, ivory, ebony and animal shells with Egypt, Greece, Rome and lands as far away as Persia and India. ... Aksumite kings used their wealth to build impressive palaces and granite monuments.
What 3 things was Aksum known for?
The Kingdom of Aksum is notable for a number of achievements, such as its own alphabet, the Ge’ez alphabet . Under Emperor Ezana, Aksum adopted Christianity, which gave rise to the present-day Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church.
Why is Aksum important?
Aksum was perfectly located to become a major center of trade . Merchants would travel from central Africa, Persia, India, and Egypt bringing their goods to Aksum to trade. Aksum had access to several different trade routes including major waterways such as the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Nile River.
What is the religion of Aksum?
In 320 A.D. Ezana became the King of Axum. Under his rule, Ezana embraced Christianity in 327 A.D. and made it the dominant religion of Axum. ... Axum became the first state in Africa to adopt Christianity as its official faith and at the time was among only a handful of Christian states in the world.
What made the location of Aksum so good for trade?
Considered as important as the empires in Rome, Persia and China, the kingdom of Aksum arose in the Horn of Africa . This location provided access to trade in the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean, allowing it to become a powerful trading hub.
What caused the fall of Aksum?
The kingdom of Axum went in decline from the late 6th century CE, perhaps due to overuse of agricultural land or the incursion of western Bedja herders who, forming themselves into small kingdoms, grabbed parts of Aksum territory for grazing their cattle and who persistently attacked Axum’s camel caravans.
Why should Aksum be preserved?
This site should be preserved because it is importnt to the people living there the site is a major spiritual centre for the Buganda . The kabusha tombs is the most active religious place in the kingdom.
Who built the Axum Obelisk?
Built in the 4th century by King Ezana , the 160 tonne monument had stood in place for over a thousand years, until the colonial aspirations of a nation far from Ethiopia arrived at her borders.
When did the Aksum Empire end?
In the latter part of the 6th century, however, the Persians invaded South Arabia and brought Aksumite influence there to a close. Later the Mediterranean trade of Aksum was ended by the encroachment of the Arabs in the 7th and 8th centuries .
How was Christianity introduced to Aksum?
The adoption of Christianity in Ethiopia dates to the fourth-century reign of the Aksumite emperor Ezana. ... Frumentius sought out Christian Roman merchants, was converted, and later became the first bishop of Aksum. At the very least, this story suggests that Christianity was brought to Aksum via merchants .
How did Christianity reach Ethiopia?
“According to Ethiopian tradition, Christianity first came to the Aksum Empire in the fourth century A.D. when a Greek-speaking missionary named Frumentius converted King Ezana .
Why did Christianity become the official religion of Aksum?
After Ezana conquered the people of Kush, he is recorded as giving thanks to the Lord for the victory. A Syrian Christian named Frumentius had become a servant to King Ezana. It was probably through his influence that Ezana became a Christian. With Ezana’s conver sion , Christianity became Aksum’s official religion.
How old is Ethiopian civilization?
Our Beginning. The area now known as Ethiopia is thought by many scholars to be the region where early Homo sapiens first emerged in the middle Palaeolithic period about 150 – 200,000 years ago .
