Aksum Research Paper

The Kingdom of Aksum was a powerful kingdom that arose and conquered Kush. The kingdoms location was located south of Kush on a rugged plateau sitting on the Red Sea. A legend states, the kingdom of Aksum was found by the son of King Solomon (of ancient Israel) and the Queen of Sheba, (a country in southern Arabia). Aksum was a dynasty that lasted into the 20th century until Haile Selassie, the last ruler, died in 1975. Under the rule of Zoskales, the first king of Aksum, Aksum seized areas along the Blue Nile in Africa and the Red Sea. Positioned ideally to take advantage of the trading situation, Adulis ended up becoming the main port for the export of African goods, such as gold, slaves, exotic animals, incense, and especially ivory, which
The goods they traded to others ranged from animal parts to jewels and gold. The merchants traded many necessities that included many luxuries. Some of these luxuries were salt, emeralds, rhinoceros horns, ivory, tortoise shells, and gold. The exports also included slaves, hippopotamus hides, and apes. In return, the Aksum's chose from a large variety of items. The items they received in return were in categories from cloth to wines, and metals along with olive oil, brass, and copper. Most of the necessities given in return were imported cloth, silks, spices, glass, olive oil, wine, brass, iron, and copper from Egypt, India, and Arabia. Animal traders also bought giraffes and elephants. The ivory from the elephant’s trunks was one of the major topics of trade when the ancient authors talk about Adulis, Aksum, or Ethiopia. One of the reasons why Aksum became the capital city is because of the how popular ivory was, being one of the key factors of trade. Ivory was also of importance when it came to Aksum competing with Meroë (Kush) for the ultimate control of the trade. There were certain items imported for the king: silver and gold objects, cloaks of cloth, and unlined