Aksum

Lesson 2

The Rise of Aksum

• Developed south of Kush, eventually conquering Kush.

• Trading-based economy– Gold– Salt– Ivory– Cloth– Rhino horn

• Main port: Adula, Capital city: Aksum

• Conquered in 900AD.

Christianity

• Early religion was similar to early Arabian religion.

• The ruler of Aksum (Ezana II) converted to Christianity around 300AD.

• First Christian nation in the world.

• Followed a patriarch and had other different customs.

• Ark of the Covenant?

King Ezana

• High point for Aksum, ruled from 325AD to 360AD.

• Conquered part of the Arabian Penisula (Yemen).

• Called “negusa nagast” (King of Kings).

Cultural and Economic Achievements

• Used stone, instead of mud bricks.

• Perfectly fitted, no mortar.• Built victory monuments• Stelae can be over 60

feet high.• Had own writing system

(1st in sub-Sahara)• Had coinage

Italy?

Trading• Traded with Roman Empire (Gold).• Many of their raw goods came from Ethopia.• Red Sea was a prime location• A stop between Rome and India.

Decline

• The Caliphate of Baghdad took control of the sipping on the Red Sea, so their economy weakened.

• The Islamic Empire did not take them over.

• Around 900 AD, the last Aksum ruler was overthrown by the Zagwe.

Lagwe

• A king, Lalibela, ruled from 1185 to 1225AD.

• Christian• Capital city: Lalibela• 11 churches carved

out of a single block of stone.

Rock- Cut Churches