Mekelle,Narobi,Pretoria,London, March ፡9፡2025 (Tigray Herald)
The Kingdom of Aksum: A Great Power of the Ancient World: the figure of great Tigray.
The Kingdom of Aksum, also known as the Aksumite Empire, was one of the most influential civilizations in East Africa and the Red Sea region. It thrived from antiquity to the Middle Ages, with its core territory in what is now northern Ethiopia and Eritrea, extending into parts of present-day Djibouti and Sudan. Emerging from the earlier Dʿmt civilization, Aksum rose to prominence in the 1st century CE and became a dominant force in African and global trade networks.
The Capital and Expansion
For centuries, the city of Axum served as the kingdom’s capital and cultural hub. However, as trade routes shifted and external pressures increased, the capital was moved to Kubar in the 9th century. At its height, Aksum extended its influence across the Red Sea into South Arabia, including western Yemen, Najran, Al-Maʿafir, and Ẓafar. The kingdom’s interactions with Arabian states often led to both military conflicts and trade partnerships.
One of Aksum’s most significant rulers in the early expansionist period was King Gedara (c. 200–230), who became deeply involved in Arabian affairs. His campaigns secured Aksumite dominance over parts of Yemen, but resistance from local Himyarite and Sabean forces eventually led to setbacks. Nevertheless, Aksum maintained its influence in the region for centuries, with conflicts and alliances shaping its role in Red Sea politics.
Aksum as a Major World Power
By the 3rd century CE, Aksum had become one of the world’s great powers. The Persian prophet Mani (c. 216–274 CE) recognized Aksum alongside the Roman Empire, Persia (Sassanid Empire), and China as one of the four leading civilizations of the time. This recognition reflected Aksum’s economic strength, military capabilities, and cultural influence.
Under King Endubis (270–310 CE), Aksum became the first sub-Saharan African state to mint its coins, a sign of economic sophistication and international trade. Aksumite coins, made of gold, silver, and bronze, have been found as far away as Caesarea (in modern-day Israel) and southern India, indicating the kingdom’s far-reaching trade connections.
Aksum’s wealth was largely derived from its strategic location, allowing it to control trade routes between Rome, India, and Africa. The empire became a key player in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean trade, exporting gold, ivory, frankincense, myrrh, and exotic animals while importing luxury goods such as silk and spices. Its close economic ties with the Greco-Roman world facilitated cultural exchanges and laid the groundwork for future diplomatic and religious developments.
The Adoption of Christianity
A pivotal moment in Aksumite history occurred in the mid-4th century when King Ezana (r. 320s–c. 360 CE) converted to Christianity and made it the state religion. This transformation was influenced by the kingdom’s connections with the Roman world and the efforts of missionaries like Frumentius, a Syrian Christian who became the first Bishop of Aksum.
Following its Christianization, Aksum became a major centre of early African Christianity, with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church tracing its origins back to this period. The conversion also marked a shift in the kingdom’s cultural and religious identity—pagan symbols gradually disappeared from coins and monuments, and the tradition of erecting massive steles (funerary monuments) came to an end.
Decline and Legacy
Despite its greatness, Aksum began to decline around the 7th–10th centuries CE, due to multiple factors:
The rise and the expansion of Arab powers disrupted Aksumite control over Red Sea trade routes.
Environmental changes, such as soil degradation and deforestation, affected agricultural production.
Internal political struggles and external invasions further weakened the empire.
By the 10th century, Aksum had lost much of its influence, but its legacy endured. The Aksumite tradition played a crucial role in shaping medieval Ethiopian civilization, influencing the Zagwe and Solomonic dynasties, which continued Aksum’s Christian heritage and imperial traditions.
Today, the ruins of Axum, including the famous obelisks (steles), royal tombs, and ancient inscriptions, stand as a testament to one of Africa’s greatest civilizations. The Tigray Orthodox Church and the traditions of the modern Tegaru can trace their roots back to the powerful and influential Kingdom of Aksum.
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The following scholarly books that delve into the history and archaeology of the Kingdom of Aksum:These books offer detailed analyses and insights into the Aksumite Empire, covering various aspects of its history, culture, and significance.
- “Aksum: An African Civilization of Late Antiquity” by Stuart Munro-Hay
This comprehensive work explores the history, culture, and achievements of the Aksumite Empire, providing detailed insights into its development and significance in late antiquity.
- “Foundations of an African Civilization: Aksum and the Northern Horn, 1000 BC-AD 1300” by David W. Phillipson
Phillipson examines the archaeological and historical evidence of Aksum and its surrounding regions, offering a thorough analysis of its foundations and evolution over time.
- “The Throne of Adulis: Red Sea Wars on the Eve of Islam” by G.W. Bowersock
This book discusses the strategic importance of Aksum in the Red Sea trade and its military engagements just before the rise of Islam, shedding light on its geopolitical role during that era.
- “Ancient Ethiopia: Aksum, Its Antecedents and Successors” by David W. Phillipson
Phillipson provides an in-depth look into the archaeological findings related to Aksum, discussing its predecessors and the civilizations that followed.
- “Axum” by Yuri M. Kobishchanov
Kobishchanov offers a detailed analysis of the Aksumite civilization, discussing its social structure, economy, and cultural achievements.
