What influence did religion and trade have on the development of Axum?

How did religion and trade affect the development of East Africa? Trade brought wealth and the Christian religion to Axum. East Africa’s trading cities also had a rich mix of people from many cultures. Each prospered through trade.

How did Christianity influence Ethiopia’s development?

Christianity afforded the possibility of unifying the many diverse ethnic and linguistic peoples of the Aksumite kingdom, a goal of Ezana’s leadership. Aksum was one of the earliest states to develop a coin system in order to service its sophisticated and prosperous economy.

How did Ethiopia Axum develop?

It existed approximately 100–940 AD, growing from the Iron Age proto-Axumite period c. fourth century BC to achieve prominence by the first century AD. According to the Book of Axum, the kingdom’s first capital, Mazaber, was built by Itiyopis, son of Cush. The capital was later moved to Axum in northern Ethiopia.

Why is Axum significant in African history?

With the city’s ascendance centuries before the birth of Christ and its position next to the Red Sea, Axum became a major center for international trade. Known for its monumental obelisk and as an early center of Christianity in Africa, Axum became one of the holiest of cities of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Why was Axum so successful?

Aksum was perfectly located to become a major center of trade. Merchants would travel from central Africa, Persia, India, and Egypt bringing their goods to Aksum to trade. Aksum had access to several different trade routes including major waterways such as the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Nile River.

What changes did Axum experience?

Axum became the first state in Africa to adopt Christianity as its official faith and at the time was among only a handful of Christian states in the world. Axum began to experience a decline during the seventh century with the rise of Islam which spread west from the Arabian Peninsula.