What was the Kingdom of 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.
What is Aksum in history?
Aksum was the first African country to mint its own coins—in gold, silver, and bronze—all in the standard weight categories issued by the Roman Empire. These coins have been recovered in multiple foreign locations, including as far away as India.
How did the Kingdom of Aksum begin?
Legend has it that the kingdom was first established by the son of King Solomon of Israel and the Queen of Sheba. Aksum began to rise in power and expand around 100 CE, reaching its peak around 350 CE. It continued to rule the region until around 940 CE when it was conquered by a foreign queen.
Why did the Aksum Empire fall?
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.
What was the 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. Roman Emperor Constantine embraced the faith in 312 A.D. Other small Christian states were scattered around the eastern Mediterranean region.
What was Axum’s government?
Monarchy
Kingdom of Aksum/Government
Who was the first king of Aksum?
Za Haqala
Kingdom of Aksum
Kingdom of Aksum መንግሥተ አኵስም (Ge’ez) | |
---|---|
Government | Monarchy |
Negus | |
• c. 100 | Za Haqala (first known) |
• c. 940 | Dil Na’od (last) |
Why was Aksum so powerful?
The kingdom of Aksum was able to develop a strong naval military because of its large population, powerful weapons, and control over the Red Sea. Its powerful military allowed for Aksum to expand their frontiers and patrol their trade routes.
Who founded Kingdom of Aksum?
The city of Aksum likely formed around 400 BCE. Legend has it that the kingdom was first established by the son of King Solomon of Israel and the Queen of Sheba. Aksum began to rise in power and expand around 100 CE, reaching its peak around 350 CE.
What did the Aksum trade?
Aksum was an extensive state, with a farming economy, and deeply involved in trade by the first century AD with the Roman empire. After Meroe shut down, Aksum controlled trading between Arabia and Sudan, including goods such as ivory, skins, and manufactured luxury goods .
Where was Axum?
Aksum or Axum (/ ˈ æ k s uː m /; Tigrinya: ኣኽሱም; Ge’ez: አኵስም Ak̠ʷsəm; Amharic: አክሱም Ak̠sum), is a historical town in Tigray Region, Ethiopia and the site of the historic capital of the Aksumite Empire.It was a tourist town until the Tigray Conflict started in November 2020 with a population of 66,800 residents (as of 2015).