The Kingdom of Aksum

 The Kingdom of #Aksum was a powerful ancient kingdom in what is now #Tigray state/northern Ethiopia and #Eritrea. It existed from around 100 BC to 940 AD, and at its height was one of the most important trading empires in the world. 

Map of the ancient Kingdom of Aksum

The Aksumites were skilled merchants and sailors, and they traded with Egypt, the Roman Empire, India, and Arabia. They were also known for their elaborate monuments, including obelisks, stelae, and palaces.

Obelisks of Aksum

Palaces of Aksum

The Kingdom of Aksum was a Christian kingdom, and it was one of the first places in sub-Saharan Africa to adopt Christianity. The Aksumite king Ezana I converted to Christianity in the 4th century AD, and he made Christianity the official religion of the kingdom.

The Kingdom of Aksum declined in the 7th century AD, due to a combination of factors, including the rise of Islam, the decline of the Roman Empire, and internal conflicts. However, the Aksumites left a lasting legacy, and their culture and achievements continue to be admired today.

Here are some of the most famous landmarks from the Kingdom of Aksum:

#Obelisks: The Aksumites were known for their tall, monolithic obelisks. The largest obelisk ever built by the Aksumites was over 100 feet tall, but it was broken in half during its construction and never erected.

#Stelae: Stelae are large, upright stones that were often used as grave markers. The Aksumites carved elaborate designs on their stelae, including images of people, animals, and symbols.

#Palaces: The Aksumites built large palaces for their kings and queens. The ruins of these palaces can still be seen today.

#Mausoleums: The Aksumites built elaborate mausoleums for their kings and queens. The mausoleum of King Ezana I is one of the most impressive examples of Aksumite architecture.

The Kingdom of Aksum was a powerful and influential ancient kingdom that left a lasting legacy on the world. Their culture, achievements, and monuments continue to be admired today.

The Kingdom of Damat, in the ancient state of Tigray and Eritrea

The Kingdom of Damat, in the ancient state of Tigray and Eritrea

#Damat (Ge'ez: ደዐመተ, DʿMT theoretically vocalized as ዳዓማት, D'mt or ዳዕማት, Daʿəmat) was a kingdom located in #Tigray/Ethiopia and #Eritrea that existed between the 10th and 5th centuries BC. It was a wealthy and powerful kingdom, with a sophisticated culture and economy. Damat was a major trading power, and its merchants traded with other cultures in the region, including the #Sabaeans, the #Egyptians, and the #Greeks.

The kingdom developed irrigation schemes, used plows, grew millet, and made iron tools and weapons. Some modern historians including Stuart Munro-Hay, Rodolfo Fattovich, Ayele Bekerie, Cain Felder, and Ephraim Isaac consider this civilization to be indigenous, although Sabaean-influenced due to the latter's dominance of the Red Sea.

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The decline of Damat is not well understood. Some historians believe it was conquered by the Aksumite kingdom, while others believe it collapsed due to internal problems. Whatever the cause, Damat was no longer a significant power by the 5th century BC.

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The ruins of Damat can still be seen today at sites such as #Matara, #Qohaito, and #Yeha. These ruins provide a glimpse into the culture and history of this ancient kingdom.

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Here are some of the key things to know about Damat:

It was a wealthy and powerful kingdom.

It had a sophisticated culture and economy.

It was a major trading power.

It developed irrigation schemes, used plows, grew millet, and made iron tools and weapons.

Its decline is not well understood.

The ruins of Damat can still be seen today in the Temple of Yeha, central Tigray.

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Tigray: The cradle of African civilization!

 Tigray: The cradle of African civilization!

The state of Tigray in northern Ethiopia is home to some of the oldest and most important archaeological sites in Africa, including the ancient city of Aksum. Aksum was the capital of the Aksumite Empire, which was a powerful trading and maritime empire that flourished from the 1st to the 8th centuries CE. The Aksumite Empire was a major player in the ancient world, and its influence can be seen in many parts of the world, including the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean, and even India.

In addition to Aksum, Tigray is also home to a number of other important archaeological sites, including Yeha, which is believed to have been the capital of the kingdom of Dʿmt, which predates Aksum. Dʿmt was a powerful kingdom that flourished from the 3rd millennium to the 1st century BCE. It was during this time that many of the important cultural and technological developments that would later define Tigray civilization took place, such as the development of irrigation, the use of the plow, and the cultivation of millet.

Tigray is also home to a number of important religious sites, including the Debre Damo monastery, which is one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Ethiopia. The Debre Damo monastery was founded in the 6th century CE, and it is believed to have been founded by the Aksumite king Kaleb. The monastery is located on a high cliff, and it is only accessible by a steep ladder. This made it a difficult place to attack, and it helped the monastery to survive over the centuries.

For all of these reasons, Tigray is often regarded as the cradle of Ethiopian and African civilization. It is a region with a rich and complex history, and it is home to some of the most important archaeological and religious sites.

Aksumite: The ancient civilization of Aksum

 Aksumite: The ancient civilization of Aksum

The #AksumiteCivilization was a powerful ancient empire that existed in what is now #Tigray/Ethiopia and #Eritrea from around 100 BC to 940 AD. It was a major center of trade and commerce, and its influence extended throughout the #RedSea region and into the #MiddleEast.

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The Aksumites were skilled #engineers and #builders, and they left behind many impressive #monuments, including the #AksumObelisks, which are some of the tallest monolithic structures in the world. They were also early adopters of #Christianity, and their conversion to the faith helped to spread Christianity throughout the region.

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The Aksumite civilization declined in the 7th century due to a number of factors, including the rise of Islam and the decline of trade routes. However, its legacy continues to this day, and it is considered to be one of the most important civilizations in African history.

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Here are some of the most notable features of the Aksumite civilization:

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Trade

#Trade: The Aksumite Empire was a major center of trade, and its merchants traded with people from all over the world. They exported gold, ivory, and spices, and they imported luxury goods such as glassware and textiles.

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Religion

#Religion: The Aksumite Empire was one of the first states in Africa to adopt Christianity. The conversion of the Aksumite king Ezana to Christianity in the 4th century AD helped to spread Christianity throughout the region.

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Writing System

#Writing system: The Aksumite Empire developed its own writing system, called Ge'ez. Ge'ez is still used today in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

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Architecture

#Architecture: The Aksumite Empire was known for its impressive architecture. The most famous example of Aksumite architecture is the Aksum obelisks, which are some of the tallest monolithic structures in the world.

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The Aksumite civilization was a major center of culture and learning in the ancient world. It was a powerful empire that had a significant impact on the development of Africa.