Kingdom of Aksum Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Aksumite Empire

መንግስቲ ኣኽሱም (Ge'ez)

c. 100 AD – c. 940 AD

Aksumite currency depicting King Endubis

All territories ever part of the Aksumite Empire

Capital

Aksum

Common languages

Ge'ez

Religion

Arabian polytheism
(pre-Aksumite to 4th century)
Judaism (before c. 330)
Christianity (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church; after c. 330)

Government

Monarchy

Negūs

• c. 100

Za Haqala (first known)

• c. 940

Dil Na'od (last)

Historical era

Classical Antiquity to Early Middle Ages

• Established

c. 100 AD

• Conquest by Gudit

c. 960 AD

Area

350

1,250,000 km² (480,000 sq mi)

Currency

AU, AR, AE units

Preceded by

Succeeded by

	Dʿmt
	Himyarite Kingdom

Medri Bahri
Zagwe dynasty
Makuria
Alodia
Sasanian Empire

Today part of

Eritrea
Ethiopia
Djibouti
Somalia
Yemen
Sudan
Saudi Arabia
Egypt

	This article contains Ethiopic text. Without the correct software, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Ethiopic characters.

The Kingdom of Aksum (Ge'ez: መንግስቲ ኣኽሱም), also known as the Aksumite Empire, was an ancient kingdom. It was located in what is now Eritrea and the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. The Aksumite Emperors were powerful rulers. They called themselves "King of Kings." They also ruled over many other places like Himyar, Saba, and Kush.

This kingdom lasted for a long time, from about 80 BC to 825 AD. It started to grow from an earlier Iron Age period around the 4th century BC. By the 1st century AD, it became a very important kingdom.

Aksum's Rise to Power
- A Hub for Trade
- Expanding Influence
Culture and Religion
- Giant Stone Monuments
- The Arrival of Christianity
Legacy of Aksum
- The Ancient Capital
- Legends and Stories
Images for kids
See also

Aksum's Rise to Power

A Hub for Trade

Aksum became a major player in trade between the Roman Empire and Ancient India. Its rulers even made their own Aksumite currency to make trading easier. This helped Aksum become very wealthy and influential.

Expanding Influence

The Aksumite kingdom also grew powerful over the Kingdom of Kush, which was getting weaker. Aksum often got involved in the politics of kingdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. They even took control of the Himyarite Kingdom there. A famous prophet named Mani (who lived around 274 AD) thought Aksum was one of the four most powerful empires in the world at that time. The others were Persia, Rome, and China.

Culture and Religion

Giant Stone Monuments

The Aksumites built huge stone pillars called stelae. These tall structures were used for religious reasons before Christianity came to the kingdom. One of these granite pillars is incredibly tall, reaching about 90 feet! It's one of the largest stone structures of its kind in the world.

The Arrival of Christianity

Under King Ezana (who ruled from about 320 to 360 AD), Aksum adopted Christianity. This was a big change for the kingdom. In the 7th century, early Muslims from Mecca found safety in Aksum. They were escaping persecution and traveled to the kingdom. This journey is known in Islamic history as the First Hijra.

Legacy of Aksum

The Ancient Capital

The kingdom's old capital city, also called Axum, is now a town in the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. The Kingdom of Aksum used the name "Ethiopia" as early as the 4th century.

Legends and Stories

Many traditions say that Axum is the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. It is also believed to be the home of the famous Queen of Sheba. These stories add to the rich history and mystery of the Aksumite kingdom.

Images for kids

An Axumite jar spout
The King Ezana's Stela, an Aksumite obelisk in Axum, Ethiopia
A 1907 reproduction of the damaged painting Painting of the Six Kings depicting the Ethiopian Emperor of Axum, created by an Umayyad Caliphate painter in the 8th century AD.
The Ezana Stone records negus Ezana's conversion to Christianity and his subjugation of various peoples nearby, including Meroë
Axumite Menhir in Balaw Kalaw (Metera) near Senafe
Map of the Axumite holdings in South Arabia, 230 AD
Fresco of the war of Persian king Khosrow I against Masruq Abraha in Yemen
14th century illustration showing the king of Aksum declining the request of a Meccan delegation to yield up the Muslims. It is also known as First Hijrah
The economically important northern Silk Road and southern Spice (Eastern) trade routes. The sea routes around the horn of Africa and the Indian sub-continent made Aksum an important trading port for nearly a millennium.
An Ethiopian illuminated Evangelist portrait of Mark the Evangelist, from the Ethiopian Garima Gospels, 6th century, Kingdom of Aksum, influenced by Eastern Roman art
Ruins of Al–Qalis Church cathedral built by Abraha in Sana'a between 527 and 560
Typical Aksumite architecture – the monastery of Debre Damo.
Coins of king Endybis, 227–235 AD. British Museum. The left one reads ΑΞΩΜΙΤΩ BICIΔΑΧΥ, possily "man of Dachu, (king) of Axumites", linguistically mixed(?). The right one reads in Greek ΕΝΔΥΒΙC ΒΑCΙΛΕΥC, "King Endybis".
Silver coin of Ezana.
Ruins of the Dungur palace in Axum.
Reconstruction of Dungur
The largest Aksumite stele, broken where it fell.
Aksumite-era Amphora from Asmara.
The Obelisk of Aksum after being returned to Ethiopia.
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 Aksum.
Small stelae in the Gudit Stelae Field
Another stelae field in Aksum.
Istifanos Monastery in Hayk.
Aksumite gold coins.
Aksum stelle and ruins
Aksum stelle in desert