Kingdom of Aksum

Kingdom of Aksum; መንግሥተ አክሱም
	c. 100–960
Capital	Aksum
Common languages	Ge'ez
Religion	Christianity
Dominant mode of production	Slavery
Government	Monarchy

The Kingdom of Aksum was a kingdom in what is now Eritrea and Ethiopia. It was the only country in sub-Saharan Africa where slavery peaked in ancient times. Its rulers were indigenous Ethiopians, although they had substantial Arab influence.^[1]^:70

History[edit | edit source]

The kingdom of Kush split into two kingdoms, Nubia and Aksum, around the beginning of the common era.^[1]^:68

Aksum converted to Christianity in the fourth century and allied with the Byzantine Empire. In the sixth century, they conquered Yemen. It later backed Yemen against Iran but lost and fell under Iranian influence. Aksum further declined after the Caliphate cut off its access to the sea. It began expanding southward and conquered the land of the Nilotic tribes. The leaders of the conquests became feudal lords as the old slave system broke down.^[1]^:70

Economy[edit | edit source]

The seaport of Aduma was the most important trading center in East Africa. It traded animal hides, gold, ivory, and perfumes with Egypt, Greece, Syria, and India.^[1]^:70

References[edit | edit source]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Sík Endre (1970). The History of Black Africa, vol. 1: 'The Peoples of Black Africa before the End of the 15th Century; The Hamito-Semitic Peoples of Africa'. [PDF] Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó.

[:0-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Sík Endre (1970). The History of Black Africa, vol. 1: 'The Peoples of Black Africa before the End of the 15th Century; The Hamito-Semitic Peoples of Africa'. [PDF] Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó.

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