Map of The Kingdom of Axum from SmartHistory

Page Summary

The Kingdom of Axum was a major naval and trading center on the eastern coast of Africa from the 1st century CE to the 10th century CE.

With ivory as its primary export, the kingdom facilitated trade between India and the Roman Empire. It influenced the economy of three different continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Yasmin Ne'eman (February 2024)

The Kingdom of Axum from SmartHistory

Brief overview of The Kingdom of Axum 

• Mani, the chief prophet of Manichaeism, said that Axum was among the four great powers of his era, along with Rome, Persia and China.

• Axum was a major trade city and indirectly connected the Roman Empire with India.

• The kingdom of Axum was a large agricultural producer, but their largest profits came from the sale of ivory.  

• Axum minted its own currency, this facilitated trade and allowed for growth of the economy.

Axum within greater Africa  

Axumite Currency: Axumite money served as both a currency as well as a source of propaganda, as it flaunted the wealth of the empire. This coins have been found as far as India and China!

Read more about Axumite coinage here

Bonus Activity: Scavenger Hunt

• Click here to take a virtual tour of the British Museum's "Money Room." There are Axumite coins somewhere in this room. Can you find them?

King Ezana was converted to Christianity in the 4th Century by a Syrian prisoner, and Axum became a Christian kingdom. Axum coins are the first coins in the world to have a cross embossed on them.

King Ezana's Stone: The Ezana stone is a written record of Ezana's conversion to Christianity, along with the subsequent conquests and conversions of neighboring areas. 

• See this website to learn more about the Stone.

King Ezana's Stele:

• A stele is an obelisk, or tower used to mark the burial chamber of an important person in Axumite society. 

• King Enzana's Hawilti

Ark of The Covenant: Axum is said to be home to the Ark of the Covenant, brought by King Menelek I of Ethiopia in the 10th Century BCE.

To Learn more about the Ark of the Covenant watch this video: https://youtu.be/S3G5ZklLkm0

For more pictures of Axumite ruins link to the UNESCO World Heritage Website