You are on page 1of 2

AN02d3

Unit02: New Directions in Organizing Governments & Society

Ch.08

Timeline: 300 - 700 CE


FS: The Kingdom of Aksum becomes an economic powerhouse on the Horn of Africa.
Main Idea: While migrations were taking place in the southern half of Africa, they were also taking place
along the east coast. Arab peoples crossed the Red Sea into Africa perhaps as early as 1000 BCE.
There, they intermarried with the Kushites passed along elements of their written language and building
skills. This blended group of Africans and Arabs would form the basis of a new and powerful trading
kingdom. The kingdom of Aksum became an international trading power and adopted Christianity.
CCSS...
I. Rise of the Kingdom of Aksum (sometimes written Axum)
A. Origins
1. Historical: Aksum succeeded the Kush kingdom, that had itself succeeded the
Ancient Egyptians.
2. Region
a. Present day nations of Ethiopia and Eritrea (Horn of Africa)
b. Cultural Diffusion with Arabian peninsula.
c. Economically Active
3. Myth
a. Connects Aksum to the Kingdom of Israel and King Solomon. (Additional myths
involve the Ark of the Covenant)

b. Haile Selassie, last king of Ethiopia, was the last descendant of Aksum
monarchs.
B. Controlling Trade
1. Access to: Indian Trade, Interior Africa, Mediterranean Basin
2. Ruled opposite shores of the Red Sea.
C. Strong Ruler Expands Kingdom
1. King Ezana
2. Expansion into Arabia and lower Nile River valley (Kush).
II. An International Culture Develops
A. Cosmopolitan Society: Trade attracts different peoples to Aksum
B. Aksumite Religion
1. Monotheistic (generally), with animistic beliefs.
2. Monarchy has divine origins.
3. Foreign contact and similar native beliefs accelerates adoption of Christianity.
C. Aksum Becomes Christian
1. King Ezana converts to Christianity (4th C.)
2. Ethiopia has a large Christian population.
D. Innovations
1. Only Sub-Saharan civilization to develop a written language.
2. First Sub-Saharan civilization to mint coins. This encourages commerce.
3. Terrace farming, irrigation canals, water storage projetcs
III. The Fall of Aksum
A. Islamic Invaders: First, the Arabian coast was conquered. Invasion of the African coast
followed.
B. Isolation: Islamic expansion isolated the Christians of Aksum from Christian societies outside
of Africa.
IV. Summary: Why it Matters Now
Ancient Aksum, which is now Ethiopia, is still a center of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church.
Materials/Sources:Refer to the course calendar for additional assignments and pertinent due dates.

AN02d3

Unit02: New Directions in Organizing Governments & Society


World History: Patterns of Interaction

Ch.08

You might also like