Aksum: Thriving Center of Trade (Overview)

In the third century AD, the Persian religious leader Mani is said to have identified the four most important
kingdoms of the world: Persia, Rome, Sileos (possibly China), and Aksum. Aksum (also called Axum),
centered in the highlands of what is now northern Ethiopia and southern Eritrea, was an important state and a
lively center of trade from the third to sixth centuries AD.

Origins of Aksum

In the first millennium B.C., the Ethiopian highlands were the center of a trading kingdom known as Daamat.
Over time, trading routes shifted, and Daamat lost influence. By the first century AD, a new state centered in
the city of Aksum had superseded Daamat as the dominant power in the region.

One of the titles of the ruler of Aksum was negusa nagast, translated as "king of kings." Some scholars have
interpreted that title to mean that areas within the kingdom had their own local leaders who fell under the
governance of Aksum, which exacted tribute from them. None of the Aksumite cities or towns—including the
capital—show signs of walls or other forms of defense, which suggests that conflicts within the kingdom were
relatively minor and that Aksum itself was isolated enough so as not to fear invasion.

Trade and Foreign Relations

The area of Aksum is a high, mountainous plateau, with steep slopes that make travel difficult. Yet that
highland area, between the Nile River Valley and Sudan to the west and the Red Sea to the east, was ideally
situated to act as a trade center for luxury goods from Africa. Gold, ivory, turtle shells, rhinoceros horns, spices,
emeralds, monkeys, incense, obsidian, slaves, hippopotamus hides, and more made their way into Aksum. From
there, they were traded from Aksum's Red Sea port of Adulis north toward Egypt and the Roman Empire,
northeast toward Persia, or due east toward India.

In exchange, Aksum purchased luxury items not available locally: wine, olive oil, various fabrics, iron and iron
tools, glass, and manufactured goods. For the most part, basic foodstuffs were neither imported nor exported;
Aksum had a healthy agricultural economy that supplied its own needs but did not provide appropriate goods
for trade. The strength of Aksum's trade led the state to coin its own money—a step taken by few states in
antiquity.

Aksum's foreign policy reflected its strong dependence on trade. Its military activities seem to have been
designed largely to protect its trade routes. For example, it invaded the city-state of Meroe in the ancient
kingdom of Kush along the Nile River—a step that undoubtedly strengthened its ability to control the trade in
goods from inland Africa. Similarly, the rulers of Aksum were heavily involved in the politics of the lower
Arabian Peninsula and established a military presence there on several occasions. Historians hypothesize that
Aksum occupied Arabia primarily to protect its Red Sea trade routes.

The Culture of Aksum

Early artifacts in the area of Aksum reveal a blend between the native culture and influences from southern
Arabia. As trade expanded, and following the conversion of Aksum to Christianity, the kingdom also was
influenced by the culture of the Eastern Roman Empire (later the Byzantine Empire). Inscriptions in stone and
the lettering on coins were written not only in the native Geez language but also in Greek.

Archaeological remains demonstrate that Aksum was home to a variety of industries, including an impressive
range of pottery production. Signs of local glassmaking have also been found, and archaeologists speculate that
many of the decorated metal objects found in Aksum may have been locally produced. Silver and bronze coins
featured gold inlay to highlight particular sections of the design.

The best-known products of Aksumite skill and technology, however, are the massive carved stelae, or stone
pillars, whose remains can still be seen at the site of Aksum. Some of them were among the largest single pieces
of stone ever worked in the ancient world.

Decline of Aksum

In the early seventh century, Arab conquests in the region interrupted trade, and Aksum ultimately lost control
over its lucrative Red Sea trade routes with Egypt, Syria, and the Byzantine Empire. At some point, the rulers of
the state of Aksum moved their capital away from Aksum itself, although it is likely that it continued to serve as
a religious and ceremonial center. Eventually, power shifted to the south. Hostile forces occupied the city of
Aksum, and many of its monuments were destroyed.

Nevertheless, the cultural influence of Aksum and pride in its history continued. Later kingdoms claimed to be
legitimate successors of the Aksum rulers and maintained their Christian identity despite external pressure by
Muslims.

Source:
"Aksum: Thriving Center of Trade (Overview)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2011.
Web. 7 Apr. 2011.