Aksum Kingdom 400-700CE
By: Christian McDow and Cheetan Sherpa
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Aksum's Advanced Cities
In the Kingdom of Aksum, Aksum is the capital. But there are places like the Periplus of the Erythraen Sea which is known as the "city of the people called Axumities." It is a very important part of the Aksum Kingdom because Aksum is mentioned in the Periplus as an important market place for ivory, which was exported throughout the ancient world.
Aksum 400-700CE
They didn't exist after because they were declined by Islamic people and were forced South. With the growth of Islam the power of Aksum began to slip. They didn't exist before because of war and settlers from the Empire of Kush.
Geographic Location & Maps
Aksum controlled major trading routes in Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean region where they traded with the Roman Empire. Trading brought them lots of products and money.
Social Structure
The Kingdom of Aksum didn't want everyone being treated the same. So they hade three different groups. The people there were called Axumities and they had one king at the top of everyone else. The people behind the king were the nobles. And at the bottom was the rest of the population. King made orders and everyone else followed. It was a straight forward system.
Religion
King Ezana's victory has clues to another important aspect of people's lives in Aksum. Their religion. The Axumities worshipped many gods for many years. Around 430CE King Ezana converted to Christianity. He then made Christianity the official religion of Aksum. They ended up replacing local temples with Christian churches.
Government
They had a powerful, and well thought out government. If the king is not able to rule then the king's son is to take role. If the king's son is not old enough to rule, they will pick military leaders to rule temporarily. They are not allowed to take throne. They have power until the kings son is an adult. Or the king could pick another king in that area/province to rule. But he must obey all the head kings orders or he is killed.
System of Writing
They had a system of writing known as Ge'ez. It is an Ethiopic style of writing. It is written from left to right just like our way of writing. It is similar to our modern vocalized alphabet. There is a translation of some of the words to English up above. The writing style was used for communication as usual. It is still used today in that part of Africa.
Technology/Contributions
The kingdom of Aksum had many contributions including a written alphabet. The Ge'ez writing style I explained above is their written alphabet. The Aksum kingdom was the first in Africa to fully convert to Christianity, thanks to King Ezana. They were also known for being the first African state to have its own coin system/currency. Them converting to Christianity helps spread the religion of Christianity to having more followers.
4 Artifacts
Core = is the crown of the emperors of the ancient Ethiopian Kingdom of Aksum.
Aksumite King Ezana, this is one of the massive stone pillars that remain a vivid emblem of the skill of crafts people in the kingdom of Aksum.
Coins
The first African state to have it's own system of coins/currency. The coins have the head of their kings on them. It was usually a disc of crescent symbol.
Ruins
Ancient ruins at present-day Aksum, Ethiopia. The city was once the center of the kingdom of Aksum.
Citations
"Ancient Africa Analyze How Geography Affected and Controlled the African Empires of Aksum and Ghana. by Drluwall." StudyMode. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
"Aksumite crowns
." Photos/Illustrations. Corel. World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
"Aksum: Thriving Center of Trade (Visual)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
Davis, Paul. "Aksum." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.
Analysis/Conclusion
The Kingdom of Aksum laws in Africa, and only lasted from 400-700CE but it had many great accomplishments. The three main ones I think we're a great success were their conversion to Christianity, them have their own system of coins, and them coming up with a written alphabet. They did a lot with what little they had, especially at a time like it. They were a great success.