Aksum, also spelled Axum, was a powerful trading empire that flourished in northeastern Africa from the 3rd to the 9th century. Aksum's location between the Red Sea and the Nile River helped to make it one of the most important commercial centers of its day. Aksum also was the name of the kingdom's capital. It remains a city in what is now northern Ethiopia.

People and culture

Aksum rose as a local power to the south of Egypt. Although many Aksumites engaged in farming, the kingdom became home to several wealthy cities. During Aksum's early years, most of its residents practiced a complex polytheism, or a religion centered on numerous gods. In the 4th century, the powerful Aksumite ruler Ezana converted to Christianity and established it as the kingdom's official religion. Today, Aksum is considered a holy city for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, a branch of Christianity.

Aksum culture was known for, among other things, its architecture. Perhaps the kingdom's most famous architectural works were its obelisks—tall and thin stone structures topped by a pyramid-like point. (An example of such a structure is the Washington monument.) Many of the obelisks rose several stories. They were made of granite and covered with carvings all the way up. According to scholars they marked underground tombs. Some of the tombs may have belonged to the kingdom's rulers. A number of these ancient obelisks continue to stand—either complete or broken—in Aksum's central square.

Economy

Aksum's power and wealth rested largely on its position as a first-rate trading kingdom. The Red Sea served as an important trade route between the Eastern and Mediterranean worlds—and Aksum's location along the sea helped it prosper. During its height, between the 3rd and 6th century, Aksum became the greatest market of northeastern Africa. The items that moved in and out of its ports included ivory, hippopotamus hides, perfumes, gold, and various exotic animals.

History

As Aksum emerged and grew as a trading power, it also expanded its borders. In the 4th century, Aksum invaded and toppled the kingdom of Meroe to the north. During that same century, Aksum rulers pushed west across the Red Sea and extended their rule into southern Arabia. They held this region until the latter part of the 6th century, when a powerful people known as the Persians drove them out. This was only the beginning of Aksum's troubles. Throughout the 7th and 8th centuries, the kingdom's hold over Mediterranean trade weakened as a group known as the Arabs emerged as a power in the region.

While the Arabs spread the new religion of Islam throughout the land, the people of Aksum were allowed to retain their Christian beliefs because they had once given refuge to followers of Islam's founder, Muhammad. Aksum continued to dominate the Red Sea coast until the end of the 9th century.