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.