2. The Kingdom Of Aksum
• The kingdom of Aksum was an important
trading nation.
• Aksum existed approximately from 100-940
AD.
• It was a major player in the commerce
between the Roman Empire and Ancient India.
• All of this takes place in the Iron Age.
6. Aksum’s Language
• Aksum had it’s own alphabet called
• Ge'ez alphabet
• They spoke Cushitic and Nilo-Saharan.
7. Aksums Coinage
• The Empire of Aksum was one of the first
African polities economically and politically
ambitious enough to issue its own coins.
• Gold, silver and bronze coins were minted
9. Aksum’s Beginning
• Around 100 AD.
• Aksum was founded by Sabaeans who crossed
the Red Sea from South Arabia where today
lays Yemen.
• Over 95% of Aksum remains unexplored
beneath the modern city and its surrounding
area.
10. Aksum’s Rise
• Around 300 AD.
• Aksum began intervening in South Arabian
affairs
• At this time Aksum controlled the Tihama
region and it dominated states on Arabian
Peninsula across the Red Sea and making the
people pay a sort of tax or a tribute.
11. Aksum’s Currency
Around 320 AD.
Aksum invented a currency called Mani as one
of the great four powers.
The other powers were Persia, Rome and China.
12. Aksum and Kush
• Around 350 AD.
• The Aksums conquered the Kingdom of Kush.
13. Aksums Height
• Around 400 AD.
• At it’s height the Kingdom of Aksum controlled
Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, southern Egypt,
Djibouti, western Yemen and southern
Southern Arabia.
14. Aksums King Kaleb
• Around 520 AD.
• King Kaleb sent an expedition to Yemen
against the Jewish Himyarite King.
• However in 525 AD.
• Kaleb was sent on another expedition against
Abreha, killing their commander, and joining
Abreah.
15. Aksum Remains Strong
• Around 615-645 AD.
• In 620 AD Aksum remains strong but
weakened until the rise of Islam.
• Umar ibn al-Khattāb sent an expedition
against Adulis in 640 AD but it was never
actually defeated.
