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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.
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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
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.