Axum Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Axum አክሱም
City
Street in Axum
Country	Ethiopia
Region	Tigray
Zone	Mehakelegnaw

Near East in 565 AD, showing the kingdom of Aksum and its neighbors

Axum or Aksum Ethiopia is the site of the historic capital of the Aksumite Empire. It is now a tourist town with a population of 66,800 residents (as of 2015).

The Aksumite Empire was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from about 400 BCE into the 10th century. In 1980, UNESCO added Axum's archaeological sites to its list of World Heritage Sites due to their historic value.

Axum is located in the Maekelay Zone of the Tigray Region, near the base of the Adwa mountains. It has an elevation of 2,131 metres (6,991 ft) and is surrounded by La'ilay Maychew district.

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The Aksumite Kingdom began to issue coins about AD 270. Silver and bronze coins for local, everyday use generally followed the design of Roman coins with a bust of the ruler in profile on at least one side. Axumite coins were the first in the ancient world to carry the cross as a symbol of the ruler's devotion to Christianity. This 6th century gold coin probably depicts the Axumite king Ousas
The Obelisk of Axum after being returned to Ethiopia.
A 14th century illustration showing the Christian ruler of Aksum (Negus Atse Armah, also known as Al-Najashi) declining the request of a pagan Meccan delegation to hand over the first Muslims who had received refuge in the city during the first Hijra after Muhammad told them to take refuge there.
Dome and bell tower of the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion
King Ezana's Stele, in Axum, Ethiopia
The Chapel of the Tablet
The Ezana Stone, engraved from AD 330 to 356, is written in ancient Ge'ez, Sabaean and Greek.
Axum Airport terminal building.
Reconstruction of Dungur
Dungur
Dungur
Dungur, with the Gudit stelae field immediately beyond it
Aksumite-era Amphora from Asmara.
Model of the Ta'akha Maryam palace.
Aksumite water-spouts in the shape of lion heads.
Aksumite jar with figural spout.
Tombs beneath the stele field.
Entrance to the Tomb of the False Door.
The Stelae Park in Axum.
Small stelae in the Gudit Stelae Field
Another stelae field in Axum.
Axum stele in a farmer's field
Street in Axum

Axum facts for kids

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See also