Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
KINGDOM OF AKSUM
The Aksumite kingdom, which grew to rank among the most powerful kingdoms of the an-
cient world, was the next civilisation to rise in present-day Ethiopia. The first written evid-
ence of its existence (
Periplus of the Erythraean Sea,
written by a Greek-speaking Egyp-
tian sailor) was from the 1st century AD, but by this point its realm of influence was wide,
suggesting it rose to prominence much earlier. New archaeological evidence hints it may
have emerged as early as 400 BC.
Aksum, its capital, is thought to have owed its importance to
its position, situated at an important commercial crossroads. To
the northwest lay Egypt, and to the west, near the present-day
Sudanese border, were the rich, gold-producing lowlands. To
the northeast, in present-day Eritrea, was the Aksumite port of
Adulis, positioned at the crux of an extensive trading route. Ex-
ports included frankincense, grain, animal skins, rhino horn,
apes and, particularly, ivory (tens of thousands of elephants
were reported to roam the region). Imports of dyed cloaks,
cheap unlined coats, glassware, and iron for making spears,
swords and axes flowed in from Egypt, Arabia and India. Syri-
an and Italian wine and olive oil were also imported, as was
much gold and silver plate for the king. The flourishing trade
allowed the Aksumite kingdom to thrive.
Top Sites for
Ancient His-
tory
»Aksum (
Click here
)
»Yeha (
Click here
)
»National Museum, Addis
Ababa (
Click here
)
»Melka Kunture Prehistoric
Site & Tiya (
Click here
)
»Dilla (
Click here
)
»Lega-Oda (
Click here
)
Aksum also benefited from its well-watered agricultural lands, which were further ex-
ploited by the use of dams, wells and reservoirs.
During its heyday between the 3rd and 6th centuries, the Aksumite kingdom stretched
into large parts of southern Arabia, and west into the Sudanese Nile Valley. Aksumite soci-
ety was rich, well organised, and technically and artistically advanced. During this era, an
unparalleled coinage in bronze, silver and gold was produced and extraordinary monu-
ments were built, all of which are visible in Aksum today. The kingdom also exerted the
greatest influence of all on the future of Ethiopia: it introduced Christianity.
