Misconceptions

Africa used to be considered a "Dark Continent" because it was different, unknown, chaotic, and warlike, as outsiders used to say. Other historians said that Africa had no history because there was no advancement, the people there were uncivilized, uneducated, and that Africa's history had no purpose since it had not progressed. People used the think that all the advancements came from Asia or Europe, or that Africa's only history was when the Europeans arrived. But this was all spoken through the mouths of arrogance or racism, because after studying ancient civilizations in Africa, it most definitely had history. The kingdom of Aksum is one example that contrasts those previous ideas.

Climate

Aksum (modern day Ethiopia region) is a very high elevated land with a semitropical dry summer.

Political

Aksum not only had a wealthy kingdom, but also a powerful army. The kingdom reached its height of power under the rule of King Ezana (320 AD), under his rule Askum was able to defeat the rival trading kingdom of Kush. As a result, Askum controlled the trade region in the east. At the kingdom's height, it stretched as far as northern Sudan, most of Eritrea, Yemen, and across the Red Sea to part of southern Saudi Arabia.

Aksum's political structure was based on a system similar to feudalism. The king's local rulers payed tribute to own the neighboring land.

Culture

In the fifth century, Aksum developed its own language called Ge'ez. The alphabet was an excellent achievement in the Aksum civilization.

Aksum was originally a polytheistic kingdom influenced by Arabic religion, until King Ezana (320 AD) converted to a monophysitic Christian. From then on, Aksum became one of the first Christian states in the world and Christianity was rapidly spreading throughout the kingdom. Although Christianity was the donimant religion, the Aksumites beliefs were slightly different, because their belief was that Christ had one nature which was both human and divine.

This image above is an Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Aksum, which claims to have the actual Old Testament Ark of the Covenent.

*Today, Ethiopia's main religion is still Christianity!

The city of Aksum is also famous for its ancient stalae (20 meters tall), stone monuments that inscribed important records (the tall stone pillar on the left of the church, shown below as well). As a Christian King, Ezana once said "rule the people with righteousness and justice and will not oppress them, and may they preserve this Throne which I have set up for the Lord of heaven", we know this because it was recorded (in Ge'ez) in one of Ezana's several stelaes.

Economy

During the first century AD, Adulis and the capital Aksum became some of the most important port cities in Africa. Because of the efficient trade network with India, Arabia, Persia, the Mediterranean region and the interior of Africa, Aksum grew very wealthy. Aksum's location allowed it to access to the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Many items including slaves were traded, such as jewelry, gold, silver, iron, textiles and glassware. Since Aksum thrived in trade, Aksum merchants thought it would be helpful to mint coins, they were also the first African Kingdom to do so. Geography helped Aksum flourish through one of the most important regions in Africa, and the land was also very fertile for agriculture.

The kings also placed taxes outside the city on trade to collect from passing merchants. Tribute was collected from neighboring rulers inside the city to help sustain the government and the twenty thousand population. But the main source of wealth all came down to trade, "geography is destiny".

Aksum, an Ancient Civilization in Africa

Aksum was an ancient kingdom located in Eastern Africa. Aksum became one of the most powerful civilizations in the east due to their control over trade routes. Farmers from Arabia started migrating and settling there as early as 500 BC. Askumites were a mix of Ge'ez speaking Kushites and Semitic people, which include Jews and Arabs. The written and spoken language of Akum were both in Ge'ez. Aksum was powerful until Islam rose to power around 600-700 AD and started spreading in Africa, but the Aksumites were never forced to convert to Islam because they once provided shelter for Muhammad's very first followers. Therefore, Ethiopia's ancient Monophysite (single nature) Church still stands today, and everything from scriptures to religious practices are still in Ge'ez. Many of Aksum's ancient artifacts still remain today from fascinating paintings to two thousand year old stone tablets. Even though Askum's Empire declined, and its Christian community became very isolated, its legacy survived. After all, Akum's legacy eventually shapes Ethiopia later on. Aksum remains Ethiopia's oldest and holiest city to this day.