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.