Do Now

• Turn to a partner. Discuss the various civilizations we have talked about, including Greece, Rome, etc. What similarities can you find in their rise, height, and fall?

Aksum• Early African society

• South of Egypt

• Trading kingdom

• Strong influence in eastern Africa

• Descendants of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba

Geography

• South of Egypt• Horn of Africa• Red Sea• Mediterranean Trade• Traded with Greece and Rome• Ethiopia• Adulis– Chief trade port

Mediterranean Influence

• Ezana– Strong ruler that expanded kingdom

• Rose to power during height of Rome• Main export was gold• Supported Rome’s growing empire• Traded ivory, precious metals, spices, and

cloth

Expansion

• Ezana

• Crushed kingdom of Kush

• Attracted traders from all over ancient world– Arabian peninsula, Africa, Egypt, Greece, Rome, India

• Used Greek as chief language

Religion

• Chief god was Mahrem• Also animists• Prayed and sacrificed to Greek god of war,

Ares• Sacrifice livestock• Ezana converts to Christianity and declares

official religion• Effects felt today in Ethiopia

Innovation

• Aside from Egypt and Kush, Aksum was only African civilization to develop written language

• Minted coins• Terrace farming– Steps carved out of sides of mountains to retain

fertile soil• Hydraulics– Dams, channels, canals, cisterns

Fall of Aksum• 632 – 750 A.D. Islamic invasions• Spread of Islam throughout Arabia• Cut off Aksum power on Arabian peninsula• Invaded Africa• Destroyed trade-city of Adulis• Economy declines• Capital was moved to isolated mountains in

northern Ethiopa for protection• Isolation and declining economy cause Aksum to

fall as a world power

Homework

• Pg. 229 questions 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7.