They mark the location of the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Aksum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The massive ruins, dating from between the 1st and the 13th century A.D., include monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs and the ruins of ancient castles.

How did Axum make money?

Most Aksumite coins were found in the large trade centres with very few in remote villages, where trade would be more through barter and not coinage based. In fact, the motivation for Aksum’s initial minting of coins was for foreign trade and markets, as evidenced by the use of Greek on most of its coins.

What goods moved in and out of Axum?

The kingdom of Aksum traded frankincense, myrrh, ivory and tortoise shell, while receiving imports of copper, bronze, silver, gold and wine.

What are the natural resources in Axum?

Natural Resources

• Potash, salt, gold, copper, platinum, and natural gas are all natural resources of Ethiopia (where Aksum is located).
• In the south and east, grassy savannas cover the land.
• To the east are Africa’s most extensive forests.

What happened to Axum?

After a second golden age in the early 6th century the empire began to decline in the mid 6th century, eventually ceasing its production of coins in the early 7th century. Around this same time, the Aksumite population was forced to go farther inland to the highlands for protection, abandoning Aksum as the capital.

What religion was Aksum before Christianity?

Before its conversion to Christianity, the Aksumites practiced a polytheistic religion related to the religion practiced in southern Arabia. This included the use of the crescent-and-disc symbol used in southern Arabia and the northern horn.

What did the Kingdom of Axum export to other countries?

Exports keeping the port wealthy and booming were luxury goods such as ivory, gold, rhinoceros horn, slaves, and live animals. Wealth was so great in the trade center that Axum even developed its own system of coins.

When did they start making coins in Axum?

Production of coins dates back to around 270 AD under the rule of King Endubis. During the 2nd and 3rd century, Aksum was a growing trade empire after which an Aksumite invasion took place in the 4th century.

Why was Aksum important to the African trade?

Aksum was ideally located to take advantage of the new trading situation. Adulis soon became the main port for the export of African goods, such as ivory, incense, gold, and exotic animals. Slaves were also traded along the same routes.

What was the daily life like in Axum?

Stelae are thought to date from about 300 AD. Daily life was also fun for children. A game called “The Cat and the Rat” was played, a simple game for young Axumites to play as they grew older in the wealthy city. *Featured above is a photo of two Axumite coins.