- The Aksumite Empire (c. 100-940 CE) covered the area of northern Ethiopia and Eritrea.
- It was considered by the Persian Mani (216-274 CE), to be the fourth great World Empire, along with Rome, Persia and China.
History
- The capital was at Aksum, where they minted their own currency.
- Kush (Sudan) became their client kingdom.
- As the Roman Empire declined, they took control of the Trade with India in the southern Red Sea.
- In 525 CE they invaded the Himyarite Kingdom (modern Yemen).
Christianity
- The Aksumite Empire adopted Christianity in either 325 or 328 CE, under King Ezana.
- Frumentius was made Bishop of Axum in either 328 CE or 340-346 CE, and converted the Aksumite Empire to Christianity, acting on behalf of Athanasius, the Patriarch of Alexandria in Egypt.
The Stelae of Axum
- Axum has seven tall standing stone Obelisks called Stelae, the tallest of which has a height of 70 ft (21m).
Red Sea Ports
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- During the first century CE, King Zoskales ruled from Aksum.
- He controlled Adulis mentioned by Pliny the Elder as a port trading in Ivory, Hides and Slaves.
- The Aksumite Empire used Adulis for its base as a Sea Power. When it invaded the Himyarite Kingdom in 525 CE, it was from this base.
- Adulis controlled the Pearl fisheries of the Dahlak Archipelago, whose pearls were famous in the Roman Empire along with its Tortoiseshell.
Assab
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- This Port was located closer to the Bab el Mandeb Strait.
Aksum, Ethiopia